For the light of the sun on my face
I humbly thank you
And offer my praise to you
Open my heart and my mind
Give me your presence
In the centre of my being today
Song “Come thou fount”
Loving God move us to comfort those who are caught in war.
Those held captive
Those facing hatred and intolerance
For the over 60 million fleeing for their lives
For strangers in our lands
For those in refugee camps
For those on dangerous journeys for safety
For their families
Melt our hard hearts to create welcome and change
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Reading Psalm 35
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of buckler and shield
And rise up as my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those be ashamed and dishonoured who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the Lord driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 For they hid their net for me without cause;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him when he is unaware,
And let the net which he hid catch him;
Let him fall into that very destruction.
We pray for all those we know who need our help and prayers who we carry in our hearts today. For Hong Kong, Israel, Palestine, India, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Yemen, Myanmar, the Rohingyas, the Uyghurs, Nigeria, Belarus, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Iran, the US, Afghanistan, our own country, doctors and nurses, carers, teachers, those confronting injustice, and pressing issues of climate change, for the many refugees, our families and friends and ourselves…Spirit of the Living God present with us now enter our bodies, minds and spirits and heal us of all that harms us. Let your angels be beside us at this time. In Jesus Name we pray.
Song “Down in the river”
This is the day that God has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
I will not offer to God
Offerings that cost me nothing
I will go in Peace
To love and serve the Lord
Amen
