October 20th, 2024

Creator God, we rejoice and give thanks this morning for the beauty of this world you have created. For brilliant red sumac, the dancing display of Northern Lights we have recently experienced, for the beauty of coloured leaves displayed in majesty throughout our forests, and for sunsets that gild the sky with beauty, lending hope to our hearts. We give thanks for rivers and streams, and for the wildlife that currently prepares for the bite of winter, just as you ordained. We give thanks for fertile fields where crops of beans and corn continue to be harvested, trusting your promise that in springtime, there will again be opportunity for new seeds to be planted. Oh God, we lift up your name in praise.

We echo the words of the Psalmist David who wrote

“Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him.

He heals the brokenheartedd and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.

He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him,

who put their hope in his unfailing love…..

Praise the Lord” – Psalm 147

Holy God, we acknowledge that as we raise our hearts in praise, we also come to you with grieving hearts for a world that is writhing in pain and turmoil. God, we pray for the Middle East asking that you intervene in the minds and hearts of political leaders who only see war as the solution. God, change their hearts and minds; may your will be done!. Lord, we pray that leaders would seek peace, that people would come to know and understand that there is a better, holy way. We pray for Haiti, asking God for your protection of and blessing on the church in that country. May your church flourish and grow as followers of Jesus live out their faith in dangerous and tumultuous times. God, be their strength and guide!

We pray for all those in our congregation who continue to face health challenges.

Oh God, we also confess our individual needs to you as in this moment of silence we lift our burdens to you. (take a moment to acknowledge your needs to God) Thank you God for hearing our prayers and for your gift of peace.

God, we also take this opportunity to pray for the following individuals/families in our Households of Faith.

O God, pour out your love and peace on these individuals/families, and may they know your strengthening power in their lives.

We pray all this in the name of Jesus.

Amen