Lord God,
Thank you for all the rituals and traditions that bring us comfort but help us to see beyond them. They are only a shadow of the truth. The reality is Christ. Through his life we have been shown how to live and through his death on the cross we have been freed from the power of the selfishness which lives in each of us. Keep us rooted in him. May we build our lives upon him and grow to trust and love you more.
We pray for your church throughout the world. Bring relief where there is persecution. Bring new life where there is decay and despair. Bring joy and thanksgiving everywhere. What we wear and sing and how we pray varies from place to place but our prayer is the same. May your will be done. May we work together to bring your kingdom into the lives of those around us.
We pray for our city and for this country. Give our leaders wisdom. Guide them as they make decisions so that there is hope and justice for all. As a nation, may we strive for peace not merely security and for sustainability not just growth. May we use our influence for the good of humanity not simply our own interests.
Lord God, fill us with your spirit. Show us how to pray. Help us to share ourselves with you. Give us the insight to know what we need to ask for and the courage to seek it out, wherever we are and whatever we're doing.
In a minute of silence we bring our troubles and joys to you now, our thanks and our praise. Most of all, we bring before you the situations known to each of us where your aid is needed. Lord, hear our prayers.
Lord God, thank you that you hear our prayers, listen to them and act upon them. We turn to you with our whole hearts in all that we do.
In the name of Jesus Christ, your son,
Amen.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Simply. Honestly. A lot.
(A sermon based on Luke 11:1-13, Psalm 138 and Colossians 2:6-19)
How are we to pray?
One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
This maybe wasn't the wisest of questions. There's an element of impatience to it. 'John taught his disciples how to pray. Why haven't you taught us how to pray yet?'
As I've said previously, the disciples might have been better paying attention to Jesus' example. Most of the time, he prayed simply, honestly and a lot. That would have been a good place to start.
But no. The disciples wanted the wood hidden behind trees. They wanted details and specifics, so Jesus gave them some pointers. 'When you pray, honour God. Pray that his will will be done everywhere. Ask for what you really need to live your lives. Admit the error of your ways and forgive those who've done you wrong. Pray to be sheltered from any temptation that would be too hard to resist.'
He didn't give rules on times and places. He didn't insist on closed eyes and clasped hands. He gave the disciples somewhere to start from.
How are we to pray?
One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
This maybe wasn't the wisest of questions. There's an element of impatience to it. 'John taught his disciples how to pray. Why haven't you taught us how to pray yet?'
As I've said previously, the disciples might have been better paying attention to Jesus' example. Most of the time, he prayed simply, honestly and a lot. That would have been a good place to start.
But no. The disciples wanted the wood hidden behind trees. They wanted details and specifics, so Jesus gave them some pointers. 'When you pray, honour God. Pray that his will will be done everywhere. Ask for what you really need to live your lives. Admit the error of your ways and forgive those who've done you wrong. Pray to be sheltered from any temptation that would be too hard to resist.'
He didn't give rules on times and places. He didn't insist on closed eyes and clasped hands. He gave the disciples somewhere to start from.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
How should we pray?
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”In the bit of the Bible above, some of Jesus' friends wanted to be taught how to pray.
Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this:
‘Father:
May your holy name be honoured;
may your Kingdom come.
Give us day by day the food we need.
Forgive us our sins,
for we forgive everyone who does us wrong.
And do not bring us to hard testing.’ ”
Luke 11:1-4 (GNB)
What is prayer? What are we doing when we pray?
Talking to God. Often we're asking for help, sometimes we're sharing how we feel about things, other times we're thanking God for stuff. Prayer is also a chance to say sorry to God for things we shouldn't have done and to try and put into words how wonderful God is.
How are we to pray?
Monday, 26 July 2010
Our Father...
Dear God,
You created us and our world. You are in charge. Everything is under your control. No one can tell you what to do.
All the same, you want to know what we think. You listen to what we have to say. Help us to meet with you now and speak with you. Show us how to be open and honest, humble but also confident. In Jesus, you became a person – you know what it's like to be a human being. You have felt the fear and doubt, joy and pain first-hand. You understand.
We can truly be ourselves with you. Thank you.
Teach us how to pray. So often we don't know what to ask for. More than anything, though, we want your kingdom to come. Show us how to spread your wisdom, love and beauty in what we say and do throughout our daily lives. When the time is right, show your power and glory and make all things new. We look forward to that day, knowing that you do everything you promise and you will finish everything that you have begun. Your love lasts forever.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the support you give us in different ways and at different times. Thank you for your church, for family, friends, colleagues and neighbours, for food and warmth, for strength and comfort. Give us each day what we need to keep going.
We're sorry for the things we've done that we shouldn't have and the things that we should have done that we haven't. Forgive us. In turn, we forgive those that have done wrong to us. Help us to heal the rifts and break down the barriers that we have created between ourselves and those around us.
We try our best but you know our weaknesses. Protect us from situations that will be too difficult for us.
Teach us how to build our lives on you, so that we can be stronger, wiser and more loving. We are your people and we are glad.
So be it.
You created us and our world. You are in charge. Everything is under your control. No one can tell you what to do.
All the same, you want to know what we think. You listen to what we have to say. Help us to meet with you now and speak with you. Show us how to be open and honest, humble but also confident. In Jesus, you became a person – you know what it's like to be a human being. You have felt the fear and doubt, joy and pain first-hand. You understand.
We can truly be ourselves with you. Thank you.
Teach us how to pray. So often we don't know what to ask for. More than anything, though, we want your kingdom to come. Show us how to spread your wisdom, love and beauty in what we say and do throughout our daily lives. When the time is right, show your power and glory and make all things new. We look forward to that day, knowing that you do everything you promise and you will finish everything that you have begun. Your love lasts forever.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the support you give us in different ways and at different times. Thank you for your church, for family, friends, colleagues and neighbours, for food and warmth, for strength and comfort. Give us each day what we need to keep going.
We're sorry for the things we've done that we shouldn't have and the things that we should have done that we haven't. Forgive us. In turn, we forgive those that have done wrong to us. Help us to heal the rifts and break down the barriers that we have created between ourselves and those around us.
We try our best but you know our weaknesses. Protect us from situations that will be too difficult for us.
Teach us how to build our lives on you, so that we can be stronger, wiser and more loving. We are your people and we are glad.
So be it.
Friday, 16 July 2010
The best in us
Lord God,
We pray for your world. Bring compromise and conciliation to Gaza. Give hope to the people of Zimbabwe. Oversee the aid that has been sent to Haiti – ensure that it goes where it is most needed to build a lasting future for the people there.
Closer to home, may the certainty of your love bring strength and comfort to all those suffering in these uncertain times. Show us what we can do to help.
We pray for your church throughout the Earth. Help us to work together to reveal you to the world so that those who hear about us are thankful for our faith and love.
We pray for this country. Give our leaders wisdom. Guide them as they make decisions so that there is hope and justice for all. As a nation, may we strive for peace not merely security and for sustainability not just growth. May we use our influence for the good of humanity not simply our own interests.
As individuals, show us how to be neighbours. Help us to love you with all our heart and mind and strength and soul. Help us to comprehend how much you love us. Thank you that you see the best in us and treasure who we are. Give us the strength, desire, patience, perseverance and courage to live so that others are able to see the best in us too. May we bring out the best in them.
Lord God, thank you that you hear our prayers, listen to them and act upon them. We turn to you with our whole hearts in all that we do.
In the name of Jesus Christ, your son.
So be it.
We pray for your world. Bring compromise and conciliation to Gaza. Give hope to the people of Zimbabwe. Oversee the aid that has been sent to Haiti – ensure that it goes where it is most needed to build a lasting future for the people there.
Closer to home, may the certainty of your love bring strength and comfort to all those suffering in these uncertain times. Show us what we can do to help.
We pray for your church throughout the Earth. Help us to work together to reveal you to the world so that those who hear about us are thankful for our faith and love.
We pray for this country. Give our leaders wisdom. Guide them as they make decisions so that there is hope and justice for all. As a nation, may we strive for peace not merely security and for sustainability not just growth. May we use our influence for the good of humanity not simply our own interests.
As individuals, show us how to be neighbours. Help us to love you with all our heart and mind and strength and soul. Help us to comprehend how much you love us. Thank you that you see the best in us and treasure who we are. Give us the strength, desire, patience, perseverance and courage to live so that others are able to see the best in us too. May we bring out the best in them.
Lord God, thank you that you hear our prayers, listen to them and act upon them. We turn to you with our whole hearts in all that we do.
In the name of Jesus Christ, your son.
So be it.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Love God. Know how much he loves you. Love others.
Signs of Daybreak - A rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when night had ended and day was on its way back...What do you think are the important things in life? What gets you excited? What do you care about?
'Well then,' the students demanded, 'when is it?'
'It is when you look on the face of another human being, and see that he or she is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot do that, then no matter what time it is, it is still night.'
The Power of the Flame - Once upon a time, there was a piece of iron that was very strong. One after another, the axe, the saw and the hammer tried to break it. They all failed...
'Shall I try?' asked the small, soft flame.
'Forget it,' all replied. 'What can you do?'
But the flame curled around the iron, embraced it and never left it until the iron melted under the flame's irresistible influence.
[From One Hundred Wisdom Stories from around the World, compiled by Margaret Silf.]
Jesus reckoned the most important things of all were these: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’"
That's the way to receive eternal life. It's also quite a large task. Nevertheless, I'm tempted to quote Moses. As he said to the Israelites, "You know it and can quote it, so now obey it." Deuteronomy 30:14 [GNB]
Nice and simple. Love God, love yourself, love your neighbour. Next!
Except…
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Heart and strength and mind and soul
Heavenly Father,
We long to love you with all our heart and strength and mind and soul. And yet so often we hold a little something back for ourselves.
Sometimes it's quite a big something.
Fear, laziness, tiredness, selfishness, stubbornness, despair – all these things and so many more get in the way and stop us being the people we could be. They stop us being the beacons of hope and light you want us to be. We hold on too tightly to stuff we should let go. We give up too easily on things we should hold onto tightly. We forget what's important.
We're sorry. Forgive us.
Thank you that you are always here, waiting for us to return to you. You are a constant we can always depend on. We want to renew our relationship with you now. Teach us your ways, O Lord; make them known to us. Teach us to live according to your truth, for you are our God, who saves us. We always trust in you.
You have told us what's important: To love you and to love each other as we love ourselves.
We know it. Help us to remember it and act on it, relying on your strength.
For you are in all and through all.
You go before and follow behind,
Above, below and by our sides.
To be loved with heart and strength and mind and soul.
To be loved through love of others.
To be loved.
Loved.
So be it.
We long to love you with all our heart and strength and mind and soul. And yet so often we hold a little something back for ourselves.
Sometimes it's quite a big something.
Fear, laziness, tiredness, selfishness, stubbornness, despair – all these things and so many more get in the way and stop us being the people we could be. They stop us being the beacons of hope and light you want us to be. We hold on too tightly to stuff we should let go. We give up too easily on things we should hold onto tightly. We forget what's important.
We're sorry. Forgive us.
Thank you that you are always here, waiting for us to return to you. You are a constant we can always depend on. We want to renew our relationship with you now. Teach us your ways, O Lord; make them known to us. Teach us to live according to your truth, for you are our God, who saves us. We always trust in you.
You have told us what's important: To love you and to love each other as we love ourselves.
We know it. Help us to remember it and act on it, relying on your strength.
For you are in all and through all.
You go before and follow behind,
Above, below and by our sides.
To be loved with heart and strength and mind and soul.
To be loved through love of others.
To be loved.
Loved.
So be it.
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