Month: June 2023

Shepherding God, you invite us to lie down in green pastures,

to rest beside still water. You promise to restore our soul.

We thank you for summer days of renewal, restoration, and play.

As we stand in a place of need, we thank you that you are our source of rest.

Lord, Jesus, you see what weighs us down,

what causes us to lose heart.

In times of weakness, struggle, and pain,
yours is the strength by which we carry on,
the shoulder we rest our head upon.
When our load is heavy and too much to bear,
yours are the arms stretched out to help us
the grace that we depend on.

In times of weariness and restlessness,
your invitation is heard,
‘Come to me… find rest.’
This is grace indeed,
the path we journey to wholeness
for mind, body and spirit,
the path that leads to you.

God of rest, within your embrace we find comfort and healing. We bring to you those who are weak, or struggling with physical, mental, relational, or spiritual health. You are the great healer, and we pray for healing, restoration, and renewal for those we now name in the silence of our hearts or aloud…………

God of rest, within your embrace we find justice. We bring to you the brave voices who cry out for freedom and those prepared to stand up to injustice. During this Pride Month, we pray for our hearts and minds to be open to our own homophobia, transphobia, to be open to our own racism, sexism, and all the ways we fear those who are different from us. We pray that we will never cease in our journey to learn how to love more radically including walking the path of reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours.

God of rest, within your embrace we find peace. We bring to you the displaced, refugees who have fled home, victims of violence in its many forms, and for all those who have dedicated their lives for the search for peace and reconciliation.

God of rest, within your embrace we experience belovedness,

belonging, and holy fellowship.

Clear the chaos and the clutter;

clear our eyes that we can see;

all the things that really matter;

Be our peace, we pray in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen

Gracious God,

In love you created us,
and in love you sustain us, day after day.
We bow our hearts and heads before you, 
knowing you hear us, you know us,

and you will respond to our deepest prayers.

We pray for the world,

for all who suffer and call out for help:

            those without shelter or enough food to eat ,

            those caught up in violence and political uprisings,

            those picking up the pieces after a natural disaster and wildfires,

            those desperate to find work to support their families.

We pray for our neighbours and households of faith

            our family and friends

Hear our prayers for

            those struggling physically, emotionally, or relationally,

            those working to overcome or live with mental illness,

            those facing challenges at home or at work,

            those grieving the death of a loved one,

            those who seeking wisdom and light amidst troubles. 

.           Strengthen those we pray, awaiting medical appointments;  

            draw near to those absorbing a hard diagnosis and uncertain next steps;

comfort those walking through the valley of the shadow of death and their loved ones.

             We pray for all who stand in a place of need. 

              In your mercy Lord, hear our prayer.

God, you have called us to pray for our enemies;

to bless, rather than curse, those who cause us harm. 

We bring before you those who have wounded us, physically or emotionally;

            those who have broken trust; 

                   those who have caused harm through words, actions, or silence

            Lord hear our silent prayers…

Forgive us when we have wounded physically or emotionally,

          have broken trust,

or caused harm through words, actions, or silence.

             Lord, hear our silent prayers

Open our hearts so that we may see one another as you see us, 

and be able to live in the ways of your love, your kindness, your compassion.

God, we praise you for your faithful love,

and for your sustaining strength. 

Open our eyes to recognize your presence in our lives

and the power of your love and care transforming us. 

Give us grace to hear your call,

and courage to follow without hesitation.

We offer our prayers in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray saying: 

Our Father…….

Amen.

Gracious, Holy God, we come to you this morning as your children, rejoicing in your provision, your care, and your calling on our lives. We praise you that you live in us by the Holy Spirit and rejoice that you call us to partner with you in ministering your grace and love to a hurting world.

We praise you because You call us to service; to be your eyes and ears, hands and voice in this, your world.
To open our eyes not only to the beauty and love which you create, but the injustice,
hate and suffering that humankind generates.
To open our ears not only to the chattering of this coming week,
but the searching, fears and questioning of all whom we shall meet.
To open our hands not only to those we choose our lives to share, but in welcome,
love and fellowship to all who you draw near.

To open our mouths not only to speak platitudes and simple words, but the truths you lay upon our hearts.
Your Word for this, your world.

You call us to service, to be your eyes and ears, hands and voice in this, your world. Oh God, give us willing hearts and courageous imagination.

As we praise you God for all that you will do in and through us, we also pray for Aiden, Jonas, and Sam as this morning they enter the water of baptism.

May the blessing of the three-in-one God be yours.

May the Spirit bless you with hope poured out like water and flowing as the river.

May Jesus bless you with discomfort at injustice and oppression.

May the Creator who holds the Earth as an artist holds brush and palette

fill your imagination so that you always find the world inspiring and wonderful.

May God in whose being beauty shines on you journey with you.

God says to you, “you are my beloved, Be blessed this day and always.”

Amen

God, hear us now as we offer our joys, our needs, and our prayers for one another in the name of your Son, Jesus.

We pray for our households of faith for this week – the Rath household, the Regier households. Pour out your love and grace on their lives.

We pray for those awaiting test results, follow up, and those recovering from surgery. Comfort the grieving and strengthen those walking with loved ones through the valley of the shadow of death.

Grant courage for those facing uncertainty, bright hope for those receiving treatments, peace for those living in pain.  May your healing touch and embrace of love sustain them.

  We hold in prayer all those affected by wildfires. We pray for shelter and an outpouring of support. We pray for peace in our world where war, violence, and fear reign. Oh God, enable us to live with courage and hope.

May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

Earth-maker, Creator,

giver of food and drink,

security and warmth,

love and hope,

life in all its goodness – 

we praise you –

for corn and grain sprouting,

the smell of fresh cut grass,

the birds of the air.

Jesus, wisdom and word;

lover of outcasts,

friend of the poor;

one of us yet one with God;

crucified and risen;

we praise –

for teaching us how to live and how to love,

including those who do us harm.

Holy Spirit, wind and breath of life;

bridge-builder, eye-opener,

unseen and unexpected,

untameable energy of life –

we praise you –

for your gifts of inspiration,

disruption, and comfort.

Holy Trinity, forever one,

whose nature is community,

fellowship, and communion

may we heed your call

to live wholly connected,

supporting and receiving support

giving generously and open to receive.

May our lives together reflect

your sacred fellowship as one.

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

You see us, you know us, you love us.

Hear us now as we offer our joys, our needs, and our prayers for one another.

We pray for our households of faith for this week – the Poole households, the Pretorius household. We pray for those awaiting test results, follow up, and those recovering from surgery. Comfort the grieving and strengthen those walking with loved ones through the valley of the shadow of death.

Grant courage for those facing uncertainty, bright hope for those receiving treatments, peace for those living in pain.  May your healing touch and wide embrace of love sustain.

            So many places in the world are rocked with violence, fear, and more. We hold in prayer all those affected by wildfires. We pray for shelter and an outpouring of support. We pray for peace amongst waring nations, the peace that comes form making justice.

May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen.