Prayers & Meditations

[majestyjo]

Let us pray:
Loving Father,
to you the dead do not die
and, in death, our life is changed
- not ended.
We believe
that all that binds us together
in love and friendship
does not end with death.
Hear our prayers for those close to us
who have died.
As you have made each of them
in your image and likeness
and have called them by name,
hold them safe in your love
in your kingdom
of light, happiness and peace.
Your Son told us
that those who mourn are “blessed”,
because only those
who love greatly can mourn.
Bless us this day
with the warmth of your love
as we mourn those we have lost.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

Abraham Lincoln wrote a prayer about
injustice and war and all who suffer in
war. We use Lincoln’s words today, as we
pray for those who need justice and healing
and peace in their lives:

Grant, O merciful God,
that with malice toward none,
with charity to all,
with firmness in the right
as you give us to see the right,
we may strive to finish
the work we are in:
to bind up the nation’s wounds,
to care for those
who have borne the battle
and for their widows and orphans,
to do all which may achieve and cherish
a just and lasting peace
among ourselves and with all nations.
Amen

[majestyjo]

Let’s simply spend a few moments in
silence, reflecting on how wealthy we are,
compared with the majority of people
throughout the world…
(pause…)

Let us pray:
Lord, that we may live simply
so that others may simply live.

[majestyjo]

April 11

Let us pray:
God our Father,
amidst the vastness of space
you treasure mankind
and you call each of us by name.
You so love our world
that, in the fullness of time,
you sent Jesus, your Son,
to live among us.
Inspire us each day
to live in wonder and appreciation
of all that is around us,
and may your love,
seen fully in Jesus, your Son,
surround us this day and for ever.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

April 12

Let us pray:
Lord, our God and King,
your greatness is seen
throughout the earth.
When I gaze at the heavens
which your fingers have formed,
and look at the moon and the stars
which you have set there,
I realise how small we are
in the majesty of your creation.
Yet you treasure us
above all that you have made,
and you give us control
over all the works of your hand
- animals both wild and tame,
birds in the air,
and the creatures of the sea.
Lord, our God and King,
your greatness is seen
throughout the earth.
(Psalm 8, paraphrased).

[majestyjo]

April 13

Let us pray:
God our Father,
may all that we see and experience
lead us to grow
in wonder and respect,
that we may value and be thankful
for everything in our lives each day.
Inspire us to choose wisely
and live positively,
and make good use
of our knowledge and talents,
both for ourselves
and for the benefit of others.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

April 14

6 Let’s pray in silence for all who are
suffering…
(pause…)
Let’s pray for those who care for people
who have suffered tragedies in their
lives…
(pause…)
Let’s pray for courage when we will face
difficult times…
(pause…)
Let’s pray for those who place their own
safety at risk for the good of others - for
all members of the rescue services....
(pause…)

[majestyjo]

April 15

Let’s pause in silence for a moment for all
who suffer tragedies in their lives…
(pause)

✍ Could use the prayer from 8 April.
✍ The author of the poem has not been traced.

Abide with me; The Lord’s my shepherd

Abide with Me Lyrics
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

[majestyjo]

April 16

Let us pray for the needy and hungry of
our world:
God our Father,
we think of the beauty of the world
which you proclaimed to be good,
but we are also conscious
of our misuse
of what you have given to us.
Our governments
spend money in our name
maintaining “butter mountains”
and “wine lakes”,
and we subsidise farmers
to “set aside” land
so that less food is produced
- even though
our brothers and sisters
die each day from hunger.
On our paper money
we print the images
of famous people,
yet often do not treasure and uphold
the dignity of all who are made
in your image and likeness.
Open our hearts
to be influenced for good,
and inspire us
to touch the hearts of others.
Enable us to change the things
that contradict your love,
and may all your people
work and grow together
as brothers and sisters.
Amen

[majestyjo]

April 17

Let’s pause for a moment and remember
that we are in God’s presence at this time.
(pause…)
We’ll use one of St Patrick’s prayers:
Let us pray:
Christ be with me and within me.
Christ be behind me and before me.
Christ be beside me
to comfort and restore me.
Christ be below and above me
in peace and in danger.
Christ be within the hearts
of all who love me.
Christ be in the words
of friend and stranger

[majestyjo]

April 18

Let us pray:
Lord our God,
you give different gifts to each of us
and you are pleased
when we use our gifts well.
Inspire each of us to reach our potential
and use our gifts
for the benefit of others.
Enable us by the power of your Spirit
to grow in faith
and in imagination and creativity,
living a life for others
that is worthwhile.
Amen.

[caressa222]

April 19

4 Let us pray:
In the name of God, who is merciful:
All praise be to God,
who is the Lord of everything.
We serve no-one but you, our God,
and you are the only one
to whom we turn for help.
Keep us away from the path
of those who stray from you.
Guide us instead
on the way we should go
- on the path
of those whom you have blessed.

[majestyjo]

April 20



Let’s pray the shortest psalm in the Bible.
It invites people - not of any single
country but the people of all nations - to
give praise to God:

Let us pray:
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Speak to him, all people of the earth,
because his love is great
and he is always faithful.
(Psalm 117)

[caressa222]

April 21

Let us pray:
Father, that I may treat others
as I would like them to treat me.
That I may forgive others
as I would like them to forgive me.
That I may encourage
and compliment others
in the same way
that I would like them
to encourage me.
That I may see and love in others
what I would like them
to see and love in me.
These things I ask
through Christ our Lord.
Amen

[majestyjo]

We read of the prophets (God’s spokesmen)
in the Old Testament. One of the
prophets was called Micah. He spoke
very simply about three qualities that are
needed to live a good life:

“To act justly,
to love tenderly,
and to walk humbly with God
(Micah 68)

We make that our prayer today:
That we may act justly,
love tenderly,
and walk humbly with you, our God.

They are easy words to remember, and
they are the kind of words that some
people learn and repeat a few times during
the day, reminding themselves that
God is with them.

[majestyjo]

April 23

Let’s take these ideas and pray:
Lord, as you lend me life,
lend me a heart full of thankfulness,
that I may treasure good friends
and be appreciative
of all who are part of my life.
Inspire me each day
to live positively and cheerfully,
living in such a way
that I express thanks
and encouragement
to others,
so that, together,
we may bring out the best
in each other.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

April 24

6 Let us pray:
Loving Lord,
we need the power of your Spirit
in our lives
to build on what is good,
and to help change
what needs to be changed.
We pray that we may be faithful
in responding to your call to grow
as the people you have called us to be,
that we may ring out your praises
through the way we live each day.
Amen.

[caressa222]

April 25

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
we remember that you said
that you would be with us,
so we do know in our minds
that you are present.
But there’s a difference
between knowing that you’re present
and growing in the faith
that you are beside us.
We ask for the power of your Spirit
in our lives each day,
so that we may live more fully
in your presence.
Only then will our attitude
and words and actions
better reflect yours. Amen.

[majestyjo]

April 26

Let us pray:
God our Father,
with the gifts you have given to us
we have responsibilities and duties.
Lead us to do our best
and act responsibly.
Give us courage
when we face difficulties.
Inspire us to make our choices wisely,
always remembering
that there are consequences
to what we choose to do.
Amen.

[majestyjo]

April 27

Let us pray:
Bless our nation, Lord,
and let your mercy come among us.
Let justice triumph in our land
as we live and strive for freedom.
Let our people stand before you
as you come to judge us.
Stretch out your hands, O Lord,
and have compassion on us.