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