Prayers & Meditations

[majestyjo]

As it is traditional to have a moment’s
silence at football matches whenever
there has been a disaster, let us pray in
silence for a moment - for ourselves and
for those we know who have suffered
tragedies in their lives. We pray for those
who are hurt and wounded because of
the splitting up of their family, a death,
difficulties with someone, failure, betrayal,
the loss of friends, or a serious
illness. Let us pray in silence, then, for
all who suffer in their lives…
( pause …)

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
teach us to distinguish clearly
between right and wrong,
that we may grow in character
and develop a true sense of values
through following Jesus,
your Son and our Brother.
We pray, too, for all
who are in positions of leadership
in our country
that they may be inspired
by the values of the gospel.
We pray that they may live
as people of integrity and honesty,
growing in a sense
of duty and responsibility,
always being aware of the needy,
and ready to be of service to others.
Amen.

“I die the King’s good servant,
but God’s first.”

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Lord, we ask you to open our eyes
that we may value and appreciate
all people,
recognising what we have in common
rather than focusing
on what our differences might be.
Inspire us to distinguish
between what is important
and what is not,
and open our minds and hearts
that we may always be people
of good will
who bring life and joy to others.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let’s pray that each of us makes good
use of our talents, and that we set out to
work well with others:
Lord, you have enriched our lives
in many ways,
and we remember with thanksgiving
all who have loved, cared for,
and supported us over the years.
Show us how best
to use the time and talents
you have given each of us,
and lead us to grow in appreciation
of the contribution that others make.
May your Spirit empower us
to work well with others
and bring out the best
in those with whom we share our lives.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Lord, lover of life,
you know the depths
of my innermost self,
and you understand me.
You protect me on every side,
shielding me from all harm.
When you put me together carefully
in my mother’s womb,
you knew all about me.
I thank you for the wonder of myself
and I stand in awe
at all that you have made.
Guide me in your ways.
(from Psalm 138/9)

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Father, we pray that we may live
cheerfully and patiently and positively
both in sickness and in health.
We bring before you all who are sick
and all who care for them…
Bring healing of one kind or another
to those we know
who are ill, afraid or worried.
We think of those who suffer
from constant sickness or weakness
and those who never get well.
Father, be with them all, and be with us.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

February 12

Let us pray:
God our Father, open our eyes
that we may sense the wonder and awe
in the splendour of all your creation -
from the stars
that are large and far away,
to people and the tiniest creatures
near us each day.
Help us to become more aware
of how every living thing is special
and to be treated well.
Lead us to respect and value every person
as unique and important,
made in your image and likeness.
We ask this prayer through Jesus,
who became a human being
because you love our world so much.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
the Bible reminds us
that your love for each of us is great
and that you are faithful for ever,
never letting us down
or forgetting your promises to us.
Inspire us to value friendship and loyalty,
that we may be faithful
to those who love and trust us.
We pray that we may live in such a way
that we may make others feel
welcome and secure.
Show us how
to look upon other people
in the same generous way
that you look upon each of us.
Extend our horizons
that we may understand better
those who are far from us.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Father, we read in the Bible
that the best way to describe you
is to use the word “Love”.
Your love for mankind is so great
that you sent Jesus, your Son,
to live as one of us.
We pray that we may appreciate
and value one another.
God of love,
lead us to grow in love. Amen

[majestyjo]

5 Let us pray:
God our Father,
there are many difficulties
and challenges in life,
and we see or experience
more of them
each day we live.
Give us the power of your Holy Spirit
that we may have courage and
determination,
and may live in such a way
that we encourage one another.
Enable us to transform
whatever is negative,
and remain positive in attitude
throughout our lives.
Lighten our darkness
and keep us safe. Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
as you touched
the eyes of the blind man,
touch us
so that our eyes may be opened
so that we can “really see”
the many wonderful things around us
and in our own lives.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Inspire us, Lord,
to take the gospel more seriously,
that we may be credible witnesses
of your love. Amen.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
give us the power of your Spirit
that we may see and love in others
what you see and love in them.
We want to see the positive in people
and bring out the best in each other.
It’s easy to say that,
but not always easy to live it out,
and so we ask you
to help and inspire us
to live as you would like us to live
this day.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Elder’s Meditation of the Day February 19

The Old Man said,`you are both ugly and handsome and you must accept your ugliness as well as your handsomeness in order to really accept yourself.”
–Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA

My Grandfather told me one time that any person who is judgmental to another is also judgmental to themselves. If we want to be free of being judgmental, we need to first work on how judgmental we are to ourselves. If we quit judging ourselves and start accepting ourselves as we are, we will start accepting others as they are. Then we will experience a level of new freedom.

Great Spirit, let me accept myself as I am – honoring both my strengths and my weaknesses.

[caressa222]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
we pray that we may grow
in such a way
as to be welcoming to other people,
and generous in every way
to those people we don’t agree with.
Lead us to appreciate others
in the same way
that we would like to be appreciated.
Never let us look down on others,
or consider anyone
to be less than ourselves.
Show us how to be open-minded
and able to learn from each other
so that, together,
we may grow as the people
you invite us to be.
Amen.

Voltaire’s words were:
“I do not agree with what you say,
but I would be prepared to die
to defend your right to say it.”

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:

Dear God,

I am powerless and my life is unmanageable without
your help and guidance. I come to you today because
I believe that You can restore and anew me to meet my
needs today.

Since I cannot manage my life and affairs,
I have decided to give them to You.
I put my life, my will, my thoughts,
my desires and ambitions in Your hands.
I give You all of me: the good and the bad,
the character defects and shortcomings,
my selfishness, resentments and problems.
I know that You will work them out in accordance
with Your plan.

Such as I am, take and use me in Your service.
Guide and direct my ways and show me what to
do for You. I cannot control or change my friends
or loved ones, so I release them into Your care
for Your loving hands to do with as You will.
Just keep me loving and free from judging them.
If they need changing, God You'll have to do it; I can't.
Just make me willing and ready to be of service to You,
to have my shortcomings removed, and to do my best.

Help me to see how I have harmed others and make me
willing to make amends to them all. Keep me ever mindful
of thoughts and actions that harm myself and others,
and which separate me from Your light, love and spirit.
And when I commit these errors, make me aware of them
and help me to admit each one promptly.

I am seeking to know You better, to love You more.
I am seeking the knowledge of Your will for me and the
power to carry it out. Lord, teach me patience, and
remind me that it is hard work, but well worth the labor.
Guide me in all I do to remember that waiting is the
answer to some of my prayers, and that when I need
You, You will be there to help me.

Amen ~ Amen

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
you called Zacchaeus by his name
and enabled him to grow.
I ask you to enter my life
in a new way this day
that I may grow
in stature and wisdom and grace
as the person you call me to be.
Inspire me to follow you more closely
and help me to live in such a way
that I encourage others
and bring life to them.
No one is small in your eyes;
let no one be small in mine.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

We’ll use as our prayer some words written
by the father-in-law of Mohammad:
I thank you, Lord,
for knowing me
better than I know myself.
I thank you for letting me know myself
better than others know me.
Make me, I ask you then,
better than they suppose I am,
and forgive me
for what they do not know.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray, using some words from one of
the psalms in the Bible:
I thank you, Lord,
for the wonder of myself,
and for the wonders of all your creation.
(Psalm 139)

This prayer is so short that it can be
memorised and simply repeated at odd
moments during the day, and no-one
else would ever know that you were praying.
Some people find it’s helpful to do
this with a very short prayer, simply repeating
it slowly a few times throughout
the day. It is a way that many people use
to grow in the awareness that God is with
them. They realise that, if they really live
in God’s presence, they can only be positive
and joyful and loving.
Some examples of short phrases to memorise
and use as occasional prayers:
I thank you
for your faithfulness and love.
You stretch out your hand
and save me.
(Psalm 137/138)
Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.
(Luke 2342)
Lord, you know that I love you.
(John 17)
The things, good Lord, that we pray for,
give us your grace to work for.
(St Thomas More)
Let us remember
that we are in the presence of God.
And let us adore him.

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Lord, be the foundation
on which I build my life.
May my door be wide enough
that I may be welcoming,
inviting others to grow.
May my door be narrow enough
to keep out what is not good.
May I build no walls
that keep anyone out,
but build your Kingdom
together with all whom you give me
as my brothers and sisters -
valuing all who are a part of my life.
May I live in such a way
that those “who trespass against” me
- who hurt me -
may know my forgiveness and generosity
- as I know yours.
Surround me with your love
and shield me from all harm.
Amen.
"Let us pray:
Lord, be the foundation
on which I build my life.
May my door be wide enough
that I may be welcoming,
inviting others to grow.
May my door be narrow enough
to keep out what is not good.
May I build no walls
that keep anyone out,
but build your Kingdom
together with all whom you give me
as my brothers and sisters -
valuing all who are a part of my life.
May I live in such a way
that those “who trespass against” me
- who hurt me -
may know my forgiveness and generosity
- as I know yours.
Surround me with your love
and shield me from all harm.
Amen.

"If you seek his monument,
look around you.”