Prayers
For times
when we are jealous of those we are close to,
Good Father,
forgive us, Forgive us and help us.
For times
when we insist on getting our own way,
Good Father,
forgive us, Forgive us and help us.
For times
when we increase tension instead of making peace,
Good Father,
forgive us, Forgive us and help us.
For times
when we won't listen to those we live with,
Good Father,
forgive us, Forgive us and help us.
For things
we say which are designed to hurt ,
Good Father,
forgive us, Forgive us and help us.
And because
we sometimes just get bored with each other ,
Good Father,
forgive us, Forgive us and help us.
O Lord
Open
our eyes to your presence
to recognise
you in the people of the fellowship around us;
to see
you in the faces of those who greet us in this place;
to recognise
you in the music, words and story we hear this day.
Open
our minds to your grace
to the
gentle unthreatening words of love spoken through hymn and scripture;
to the
prophetic word breaking into our thinking if we are too complacent;
to the
stirring word disturbing our assumptions if we are too comfortable.
Open
our lips to your praises
especially
when we do so with unfamiliar words
especially
if our minds are disturbed by burdens and worries;
especially
if we hold a grudge against another.
Open
our hearts to your love
especially
if the past is preventing us from enjoying today's freedom;
especially
if refusal to forgive another captivates us;
especially
if bitterness refuses us the peace to which we are entitled.
Open
our lives to your healing
that in
mind, emotion and spirit we may know that we are accepted;
that in
daily relationships we may enjoy the blessing of the children of God;
That we
may discover the adventure and exhilaration of life in all its fullness.
Yes, O
Lord,
Open
our eyes to your presence, our minds to your grace,
Our
lips to your praises, our hearts to your love,
Our
lives to your healing, and be found among us.
Amen