Category: Prayer items

Sunday Prayers at 7pm

by Bellshill Central, posted in Other News, Prayer items

October is a month with a particular focus on tackling poverty. Monday 17 October is the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and 3-9 October is Challenge Poverty Week

OPENING WORDS

With humble thankful hearts we gather to worship God
May we be united in love and praise

With generous, faithful minds we open our hearts to hear
May we be filled with the knowledge of Christ’s teaching

With the trials and temptations of life in our thoughts
May we lay them down and prepare to freely worship God

Adoration

Eternal and Loving God,
We are in awe as we worship You today.
Your generosity knows no bounds,
and we are humbled by the breadth, length and depth of Your love for us,
which extends to the people of the whole world that You made so creatively.

How wonderful it is that You brought variety, colour, vibrancy and beauty to this earth,
for You have been a generous and caring master
who wanted to provide for Your children.
We are blessed with continents, countries and areas that range from the high mountain to the deep ocean,
the small rural village to the bustling city.
All of this has been made perfectly, a loving gift to be experienced and lived to the full.

Creator God,
You have showered upon us all the resources we need for a fulfilling life,
including families and friends who love us,
work and leisure that inspires us,
and a faith that brings meaning and purpose day by day.
We are truly thankful for all You have done, and continue to do for us, day by day.

Hear our prayers, in Jesus’ name
Amen

Confession

Almighty God,
You know everything about us.
The thoughts we have, the desires we fight against, and the words that are spoken
that cause distress, worry and fear.

Our faults are many, our failings emerge more often than we would like.
Our minds are influenced by those around us.
We even drift away from the path You have set before us.
We believe the publicity that says we should be ashamed of our lack of money, resources and ability, and our minds become burdened with what we have not done or achieved.

We confess the mistakes made, the actions taken, or not taken, and say sorry …
Sorry because we let others gain the upper hand, instead of turning to You.
Sorry that we have not been as faithful as we could have been.
Loving God, forgive us, assure us and empower us as we move forward in faith,
renewed and forgiven,
knowing You are with us, urging, encouraging and driving us on.
Amen

Luke 17:5-10

5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ 6The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

7 ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? 8Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’

Thanksgiving

Living and loving Lord Jesus,
with joy and happiness, we thank You for the blessings of life seen in our community,
in our homes and within the people who mean the most to us.
We are grateful for the moments that encourage and bring us hope and peace in our hearts.

We are thankful for the countless volunteers and staff
who make a difference to people living in poverty
by running foodbanks, clothing banks and other projects,
and we appreciate the time given to challenging why this is necessary
in a country like ours in the 21st century.

We know that this work is needed
because people are being treated unfairly and without respect,
and so it fills our hearts with thankfulness when we see and hear the effect
of a listening ear, an encouraging word, and the practical help
that makes all the difference to someone who has little or nothing.

We give You thanks
for those who give, even when they have little themselves,
for every gift makes someone’s day, meeting needs in communities that are struggling.

We praise and thank You
for the work of the Church that changes lives,
that challenges why people are living in poverty,
and leads to new policies or extra funding that turns lives around.

With grateful hearts we offer our prayers to You.
Amen

Intercession

God of the poor, friend of the weak,
hear us as we remember in this Challenge Poverty Week
all those who bear the scars of poverty, and live with its effects on a daily basis.
We think of the young people in our communities
who may not have decent shoes, or a coat, or even school uniform to wear,
may there be an equality for all.

Lord hear our prayer

We pray for the people who have no idea where today’s food will come from,
how a power card will be paid for,
or whether they have shelter and a bed for tonight.
We ask that no one will go to bed hungry today.

Lord hear our prayer

We lift before You those who are living without the essentials of life,
a bed to sleep in, towels to wash with, and a chair to sit on.
Humbly we pray that there will be a fair way of living for all.

Lord hear our prayer

We give thanks for the groups and organisations
that make a difference to people living in poverty,
especially those who provide practical help, advice and support.
May their work grow and extend, despite the challenges of the cost of living today.

Lord hear our prayer

We pray for the people who are in power at local, national and international levels,
asking that they would act with integrity, generosity and humility,
ensuring that there is fairness and justice for all, regardless of age, creed or colour.

Lord hear our prayer

Lord God, surround with Your love
the countless individuals and families who are treated unfairly because of poverty,
who are not given the chances others are given,
and who are held back or rejected because of their situation.

Lord hear our prayer

Generous God,
we pray that there would be an end to the scandal of poverty in this country,
for You understand the effect this has on people living in our community.
May there be a turning point that sees renewal and investment in our poorest communities, providing a better future for people of all ages.

Lord hear all our prayers in Jesus’ name.
Amen

A PRAYER FOR HM THE QUEEN

by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

At 8pm this evening, Sunday 18th September, on the eve of the Queen’s funeral we are asked to stop, pause, reflect and observe a minutes silence, for HM The Queen

After your minutes silence please pray

Lord God
We give you thanks for your love
Revealed in Jesus Christ
We thank you that that love
Is greater than we can ever imagine
And stronger than death itself
And so we know that we can trust you
With our loved ones and with ourselves.
At this time of national mourning
We give thanks for our late Queen,
Your servant Elizabeth
And for the gifts which you gave to her
And the ways in which you sustained her
Throughout her long life and reign.

We bless you
For her dedication to duty and diplomacy
For her commitment to country and commonwealth
For her faithfulness and loyalty to your ways of love and peace.
We give you thanks for the respect and affection
In which she was held
By people of different nations and generations.

We remember her family, at this time, our Royal family
As they mourn a mother, grandmother,
great grandmother and family member.
May they find privacy to grieve for her,
Solace as a public demonstrate their sadness and respect
And the peace that you alone can give.
We pray for those upon whose shoulders
New responsibilities now fall.
And particularly for your servant Charles,
As he succeeds to the throne
Grant him wisdom, strength and courage
That he may rule wisely and well
With the support of government and people.
We ask this in the name and for the sake
Of Jesus Christ whose reign knows no limits
And whose kingdom of love knows no end.
Amen

God Save The Queen

Sunday evening prayer service at 7pm

by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items
Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

Call to worship

Loved by God,
inspired by Jesus
and guided by the Holy Spirit,
let us gather
to worship
to pray
to listen
and to respond.

Come, let us worship God.

Prayer of adoration and confession (from Spill the Beans Issue 9)

A “sacrifice of praise” is the way:
praise that is pricey,
not easy words
ritually rhyming love to You,
but costly honouring
of Your being
at the heart of our living;
no mere words on lips,
but convictions in our hearts
that without You we would not be.

And so, as if offering our hearts
on an altar of sacrifice,
the flame of fired-up faith
lifting the fragrance
of our love for You to You,
we say from the deepest depths
of our very being,
praise be to You.

Forgive us for thinking of ourselves
far higher than we should!
Forgive us for thinking of ourselves
far lower than we ought!
Lord, forgive us both ways!

Save us from the sin of pride
and the offence of false modesty.
Save us from being
our own best defenders
and our own worst critics.

Let us be glad simply to be at the banquet:
gathered by You in grace,
ready to be put in our place,
not for our merit but despite our demerit,
not for our status but despite our sin.

Forgive us both ways!
Put us in our place!
Only then can we face
our worldly posture
with heavenly poise.
Amen

Psalm 112 New International Version

Psalm 112[a]

1 Praise the Lord.[b]

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
    for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
    who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
    their righteousness endures forever;
    their horn[c] will be lifted high in honor.

10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
    they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
    the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Prayer of thanksgiving

Lord God,
You are a God of hospitality
who invites us all to a banquet
where the last may be first,
and where the humble and the powerful switch seats.

In gratitude,
may we share Your abundance without counting the cost.
In thankfulness,
may we host strangers as angels You have sent!

May Your spirit rest upon us
so that we may find a place at Your table
and welcome others with radical hospitality.

In the name of Jesus,
a guest at all our tables, we pray.
Amen

Prayer of intercession (from Spill the Beans issue 9)

Loving God,
we pray for a world
where too often the loudest people
presume to be heard:
where money and power
turns up the volume,
and gentle wisdom is drowned out;
where greed is too often the creed,
and noise masks folly.

Loving God,
we pray for a world
where small voices remain unheard:
where poverty and powerlessness
mutes their sound,
and harsh folly prevails;
where need is a mantra-like refrain,
and compassion a compromised chorus.

Loving God,
bless them all:
the loud and the silent,
the powerful and the powerless,
but bless them differently!

Bless the loud and proud with humility;
bless the quiet and crushed with esteem;
bless the powerful with silence;
bless the powerless with sound.
Amen

Blessing

May we go
to be the hands, feet, heart and mouth of Christ.
May we offer our time and treasure to those who need it
without stopping to count the cost.
May we ceaselessly seek justice and pursue it.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer
be with us all,
this day and always.
Amen

Monday Prayer Service

by Bellshill Central, posted in Prayer items

Good day everyone. There is no online prayer meeting tonight due to holidays. However, prepared below are prayers, readings, songs and some thoughts, to help guide you through a time of prayer. We ask you to draw together in your homes at 7.30pm and begin the prayer service, thus joining our combined prayers towards God.

If you can’t manage at 7.30pm then anytime suits. Prayer is always heard.

OPENING WORDS

We gather here to worship God
With ears ready to listen
With hearts and minds open to receive
All: With voices ready to sing praise

God knows us
God guides us
God raises us up
All: God is with us now

We gather together to worship God
We come to God who inclines an ear to us
We come to God who gives us words to speak
All: We come to God in reverence and awe

God gives us life
God sets us free
God speaks a better word
All: We gather to worship God

Psalm 103

Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.


The Lord works vindication
   and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
   his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

You can’t be half-hearted about this passage. It is generous and life-giving and seems to amplify the energy of the other passages.

The first part of the Psalm seems to be the words of an individual, while the second part feels more communal – “all who are oppressed”, “the people of Israel”, etc. Youth is renewed (v5), which contrasts with a common view that people need to hurry up and mature. We have misappropriated the idea of youth – we yearn for the physical aspects of youth as we get older, but young people are desperate to be adult.

What part of youth is being renewed? Is it the energy and excitement of new faith? What aspects of the eagle relate to or represent youth? Flying, freedom, an aerial view – you have a different perspective when you’re younger.

Psalm 71

Prayer for Lifelong Protection and Help


In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
   let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
   incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
   a strong fortress, to save me,
   for you are my rock and my fortress.


Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
   from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
   my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
   it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.

LET US PRAY

In you alone we put our hope, God the Father, Creator and Sustainer, who gives all good things seen and unseen. In you alone we put our hope, God the Son, Saviour and Redeemer, who died for our sins and rose again. In you alone we put our hope, God the Spirit, Teacher and Comforter, who moves us to sing “Our God reigns!” In you alone we put our hope. AMEN

Sunrise, Sunset, Sin

My soul praises you, Lord. You are to us whom you were to Moses–compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Your love is so generous it seems to stretch from my back porch to the full moon. If we stand on one side of the globe, you exile our failures to the opposite side. They can no more catch us th an the sunrise can catch the sunset. My soul praises you Lord. AMEN

We continue in prayer

O Lord, you have indeed carried me on your wings. By your mercy, you have delivered me from sin and death. You have set me free from their bondage. Once I was a slave, but now I am free to be your servant. Thank you, Lord. Even as I seek to live faithfully as a child of the new covenant, help me to live each day by grace. May I continue to ride on your wings as you guide and empower me to serve you in every aspect of my life. All praise be to you, gracious Lord, because you carry me on your wings.  Alleluia! Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

God, You are a God of compassion and love. Time after time we have experienced your care and provision. Time after time You’ve answered our prayers and met our needs— often in ways we could never have dreamed possible. We praise You for Your faithful love toward us. Because we have known Your love, we come to You with confidence, offering our prayers for the world that You love.

We see so much pain and suffering; so much anger and frustration and despair. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the needs around us. But we continue to bring our prayers to You in faith, because we know that nothing is impossible for You. You are the God who rained down bread from heaven, and made water flow from a rock in the desert; the God who resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead, and who brings new life and hope to all who believe. For You, all things are possible.

Hear our prayers.

We pray for those suffering the effects of recent  natural disasters….
(insert your own private petitions here)

Because nothing is impossible for You, O God,
hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.

We pray for the regions of our world caught up in violence and threats of violence: Because nothing is impossible for You, O God, hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.

We pray for those who live with serious illness,

  •    those with chronic pain,
  •    those without access to proper medical care,
  •    those for whom treatment is no longer an option.

Because nothing is impossible for You, O God,

hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.

Merciful God, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to show us a different way to live— the way of deep humility and obedience. You’ve called us to love one another, and to work together with one heart and mind, balancing our needs with the needs of those around us.

Give us courage to follow faithfully, and with integrity— with actions that bear witness to the words we speak, and worship that overflows into our daily tasks and relationships— so that our lives will bring glory and honour to You, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

Blessing

Send us out Loving God – our hope and trust from our youth –
that we would not shame, but recognise the dignity of all Your children,
that we would incline our ear and listen for Your call,
that our actions may be just and compassionate.
May our lives be lived in continual praise of You.
Amen