Category: Prayer items
Virtual prayers Monday 7th September
Welcome to this time of prayer.
For the next few moments, let us put aside the busyness and distractions of life and place ourselves in the presence of God.
Psalm 14 is an honest Psalm. It looks at a world where people can turn away from God, where injustice and foolishness can seem to flourish, and where goodness can sometimes be difficult to see.
But the Psalm does not leave us there.
It reminds us that God sees, God knows, and God remains our hope.
Let us be still before him.
Silence
Opening Prayer
Loving God,
we come before you just as we are.
You know our thoughts,
our worries,
our failures,
and our hopes.
Help us to be honest with you.
Where we have turned away from you,
draw us back.
Where we have been selfish,
teach us generosity.
Where we have been silent in the face of injustice,
give us courage.
Where the world seems dark,
help us to remember that you are still God.
Be with us now,
and open our hearts to your word.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn
“Lord, I come before Your throne of grace”
Use the hymn as a personal prayer of confession and dependence.
Psalm 14
Let us hear the words of Psalm 14.
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.”
The Psalm continues:
“The Lord looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.”
And later:
“You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.”
And finally:
“Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”
Reflection
Psalm 14 begins with a challenging statement:
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
The Psalm is not simply talking about intellectual doubt.
It is describing a life lived as though God does not matter.
And perhaps that is something we can all recognise.
We can believe in God, yet sometimes live as though we are entirely dependent upon ourselves.
We can pray, yet still try to carry everything alone.
We can worship, yet fail to notice the person who is hurting beside us.
The Psalm reminds us that God looks upon his creation.
“The Lord looks down from heaven.”
Nothing is hidden from him.
He sees the suffering that others overlook.
He sees the lonely person.
He sees the person who feels forgotten.
He sees injustice.
He sees those who have little power or influence.
And, importantly, verse 6 says:
“The Lord is their refuge.”
That is good news.
God is not simply watching the world from a distance.
He is a refuge for those who turn to him.
When we cannot change everything around us, we can still turn towards God.
When we do not understand why things happen, we can still trust him.
When the world seems broken, we can still believe that God’s purposes are greater than the darkness we see.
And the Psalm ends with a longing:
“Oh, that salvation… would come.”
It is a prayer for God to act.
So today, we bring before God the things that concern us.
We bring our community.
We bring our families.
We bring those who are struggling.
We bring our broken world.
And we pray:
“Lord, be our refuge.”
Prayers of Confession
Let us bring our own lives before God.
For the times when we have ignored you, Lord, forgive us.
For the times when we have thought only of ourselves, Lord, forgive us.
For the words we have spoken that have hurt others, Lord, forgive us.
For the good we could have done but failed to do, Lord, forgive us.
For the times when fear has prevented us from doing what is right, Lord, forgive us.
For the times when we have trusted ourselves rather than trusting you, Lord, forgive us.
Silence
God of mercy,
take away our guilt,
renew our hearts,
and help us to walk in your ways.
May we know the forgiveness that is ours through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Hymn
“Dear Lord and Father of mankind”
Allow the words of the hymn to become your own prayer for God’s peace and renewal.
Prayers for the World
Let us pray for the world God sees.
For nations torn apart by war and violence,
Lord, be their refuge.
For people forced from their homes,
Lord, be their refuge.
For those living in poverty and hunger,
Lord, be their refuge.
For those who are persecuted because of their faith,
Lord, be their refuge.
For those who are lonely, frightened or forgotten,
Lord, be their refuge.
For those who are sick or waiting for treatment,
Lord, be their refuge.
For those grieving the death of someone they love,
Lord, be their refuge.
For our communities, our churches and our neighbours,
Lord, be their refuge.
And for ourselves, with all that we carry today:
Lord, be our refuge.
Silence
Lord God,
where there is hatred, bring love.
Where there is injustice, bring justice.
Where there is despair, bring hope.
Where there is division, bring reconciliation.
Where there is darkness, let your light shine.
And make us people who seek you,
follow you,
and reflect your love to others.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As Jesus taught his disciples, so we pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever.
Amen.
Closing Hymn
“O God, our help in ages past”
As you sing, remember the final hope of Psalm 14: God has not abandoned his people.
Closing Prayer and Blessing
Faithful God,
when the world around us seems uncertain,
be our refuge.
When we are discouraged,
be our hope.
When we are tempted to give up,
strengthen us.
Help us not simply to see the brokenness of the world,
but to become people who bring your love,
your justice and your peace into it.
Keep us close to you
and help us to seek you each day.
And may we leave this time of prayer
remembering that you see us,
you know us,
and you never leave us.
Amen.
Go in peace,
trusting in God,
walking with Christ,
and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Looking Forward Together
As we look to the future, we give thanks for the journey that has brought our congregations to this moment of shared purpose and hope. Bellshill Central, Holytown, Kirk O’ Shotts, Newarthill & Carfin, and Wrangholm Kirk are beginning a new chapter — one shaped by collaboration, faith, and a deep desire to serve God’s Kingdom in our part of Lanarkshire.
A Shared Vision
Each of our churches carries its own history, traditions, and gifts. Yet together, we recognise that God is calling us to work more closely — to share resources, ideas, and ministries that strengthen our witness and deepen our care for the communities we serve.
This partnership is not about losing identity, but about discovering new ways to live out our faith side by side. It is about building bridges of fellowship, finding joy in shared worship, and supporting one another as we respond to the needs of our towns and villages.
Growing God’s Kingdom
In this new season, we pray that our combined efforts will reflect the light of Christ in fresh and meaningful ways. Whether through joint mission projects, community outreach, or shared worship, we trust that God will guide us to be a united presence of love and service.
We look forward to seeing how this collaboration will take shape — how our five congregations will grow together, learn from one another, and continue to be places of welcome, compassion, and hope.
A Prayer for Our Churches and Communities
Gracious God, We thank You for the life and witness of our churches — Bellshill Central, Holytown, Kirk O’ Shotts, Newarthill & Carfin, and Wrangholm Kirk. Bless our members, our families, and our wider communities as we journey together in faith. May Your Spirit guide our plans and inspire our hearts. Help us to listen, to serve, and to love as one body in Christ. Build Your Kingdom among us, and let Your light shine through all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Looking Ahead
As this partnership grows, we invite everyone — members, friends, and neighbours — to join us in prayer and participation. Together, we can shape a vibrant future for the Church in Lanarkshire, rooted in faith and alive with hope.
Remembering 9/11 – 25 Years On
25 years ago today, the world witnessed an act of unimaginable violence that changed countless lives forever.
On 11 September 2001, thousands of people went to work, boarded aeroplanes, travelled to school and began what they expected to be an ordinary day. By the end of that day, thousands had lost their lives, families had been devastated, communities had been changed, and a profound sense of grief and uncertainty had spread around the world.
Twenty-five years later, we remember.
We remember those who lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. We remember the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other emergency workers who ran towards danger to help others. We remember those who were injured, those who lost loved ones, and all whose lives were changed forever.
We also remember the many acts of courage, compassion and selflessness that emerged in the midst of tragedy.
A Scripture for remembering
The Bible reminds us that God is especially close to those who are hurting:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
Twenty-five years may have passed, but grief does not follow a calendar. For many, the memories remain vivid. Today gives us an opportunity to pause, to remember, and to bring before God all those whose lives were touched by that terrible day.
We pray, too, for a world where violence gives way to peace, hatred gives way to understanding, and fear gives way to hope.
Jesus says:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
— Matthew 5:9
A Prayer for 9/11
Loving and merciful God,
Today we remember.
We remember the thousands who lost their lives on 11 September 2001.
We remember those who never came home,
those who waited for loved ones who never returned,
and those whose lives were changed forever.
We remember the courage of those who ran towards danger,
the firefighters, police officers, paramedics and ordinary people
who put the lives of others before their own.
We pray for those who still carry the pain of that day.
For families who continue to mourn.
For survivors who carry memories and scars.
For communities that were forever changed.
Lord, where there is grief, bring comfort.
Where there is fear, bring peace.
Where there is anger, bring understanding.
Where there is hatred, plant the seeds of love.
Forgive us when we allow fear and division to separate us from one another.
Help us to be peacemakers in our own communities,
to reject violence and hatred,
to stand alongside those who suffer,
and to work for a world where every human life is valued.
May the memory of those who died
challenge us not simply to look back,
but to build a more peaceful and compassionate future.
God of all, hold the brokenhearted in your loving arms
and grant eternal rest to those who have died.
May your peace, which is beyond all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
We remember. We pray. We hope.
As we mark 25 years since 9/11, may our remembering never become merely looking back.
May it lead us towards compassion.
May it lead us towards reconciliation.
May it lead us towards peace.
And may we remember the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
— Isaiah 2:4
Today, from Bellshill Central Parish Church, we pause in remembrance and prayer.
We remember all those who lost their lives.
We remember all those whose lives were changed.
And we pray for peace.
