If you were too busy God
You would not bother with us
But you have bent down to touch us
Song “There is a hope”
If you were disinterested
We would not come to you in prayer
But you have time to listen
We say the Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Reading Acts 16v16-21
16 It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you [g]the way of salvation.” 18 She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very [h]moment.
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was [i]gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
Prayer
We pray tonight for all those we know who need our help and prayers who we carry in our hearts tonight.
Spirit of the Living God present with us now enter their bodies, minds and spirits and heal them of all that harms them. Let your angels be beside them at this time and protect them. In Jesus Name we pray.
Song “Lead kindly light”
Closing Responses
In the depth of silence
No words are needed
We are just called to listen
To the movement of the Spirit
And in the midst of confusion
To hear your voice.
Amen.
©Iona Community adapted