Prayers - Encounters with God's People
Circle us, Lord
Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark world
Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation
Enable us to be victors over sin and despair
Enable us to become that which you would desire
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle us with the light of your presence
Circle us, Lord
Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms
Protect them in each moment of their daily lives
Protect them in the decisions that they face
Protect their homes and relationships
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle our families with the light of your presence
Circle us, Lord
Circle this nation with Advent love and hope
Create a desire to listen to the Advent message
Create a willingness to understand and respond
Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle our nation with the light of your presence
Circle us, Lord
Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope
Where there is torture and oppression bring release
(Silent prayer)
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle this world with the light of your presence
For those who bring hope
where there is none
love where there is hatred
peace where there is war
sustenance where there is hunger
water where there is drought
and comfort where there is sadness
bless them Lord Jesus
whether they be Christian, Muslim
no faith or any faith.
For all love has it's source in You
and every act of selfless giving
brings a smile to your face.
Thank you Father
for the selfless giving of time.
For those often quiet saints
who do not argue their theology loudly
engage in lengthy debates
over complex doctrinal issues
or make their presence felt
within the hallowed space
of Church Council meetings
but simply get on with doing
the business
visiting the sick, the aged
and the lonely
a shoulder to cry on
a listening ear
and the reassurance
of one who cares.
Thank you Father
for all those quiet saints
who live their faith through their lives
in a world that often forgets
that you were never too busy to listen
never too busy to minister to needs
never too engrossed in work
to bring hope and wholeness into lives.
Thank you Father,
for your quiet saints
Spirit of life
ALL: Fill our emptiness with your fullness
Spirit of power
ALL: Stir our hearts afresh
Spirit of love
ALL: Touch us, and through us, our neighbour
Spirit of Creativity
ALL: Enable and empower the gifts you have given
Spirit of Eternity
ALL: Draw us ever deeper into your Kingdom
Lord, grant us simplicity of faith
and a generosity of service
that gives without counting cost
A life overflowing with Grace
poured out from the One
who gave everything
That we might show
the power of love
to a broken world
and share the truth
from a living Word
Lord, grant us simplicity of faith
And a yearning to share it
Your people
A particular people
Chosen and cherished
From the beginning of time
Lavished and loved
Sheltered and shepherded
Through sunshine and storm
Restore us O Lord
Make your face shine upon us
That we might be saved
Your children
Prodigal children
Wandering far from home
A wilderness people
Yet never forgotten
Never separated
From the warmth of your love
Restore us O Lord
Make your face shine upon us
That we might be saved
Your prophets, called to make known your Word
Proclaiming justice, convicting sin
Displaying fruits of your love and grace
Comfort, comfort my people, says our God
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed
Your prophets, called to forth tell your Word
Unfolding a vision of your eternity
Making straight a highway to walk along
Comfort, comfort my people, says our God
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed
We have a call
To be loved
and to love
To be shown mercy
and to show mercy
To be forgiven
and to forgive
To receive hope
and to offer hope
To know joy
and share joy
To feel peace
and bring peace
To be made whole
and offer wholeness
We have a call
Listen...
Listen...
Do you hear?
God of Love, God of Peace
This fractured word
Cries out in pain
Burns deep into my soul
And challenges me
To make a difference
God of Love, God of Peace
God of this world
Scarred by grief and tears
Ignorance and fear
Soften hearts of stone
And begin with mine
God of Love, God of Peace
Create within me
A heart for people
A desire for change
For new beginnings
To start this day
In your time, Loving God
When we had wandered far
In your perfect time
You embraced the prodigal
Within the security of your arms.
Remind us always
As we look at pain caused
And hardship endured
That at the centre of our faith
Is the forgiving love of God.
Heavenly Father
we meet together
your people
one people
your family
bound together
with the woven chord
that binds all of creation together
fashioned from your love.
Brothers and sisters
children together
One family in fellowship
with you, its Heavenly Father.
May this be a time of joy
a time for growing
a time for strengthening
a time for loving
family time
quality time
together.
Bless those who are peacemakers
From all creeds and cultures
All who bring no other agenda
Than to see neighbour and stranger
Live together as one community
Bless the peacemakers
ALL: Strengthen and bless them
Bless those who are comforters
Shoulders to cry upon
Willing ears to listen
A present help in times
Of despair and hoplessness
Bless the comforters
ALL: Strengthen and bless them
Bless those who are healers
Of physical injury
And deeper hurts
Whose touch brings relief
From trauma and pain
Who brings compassion
Bless the healers
ALL: Strengthen and bless them
