Christians are encouraged to come together in prayer at 7pm this evening.
“In the midst of the life we share, God creates, through Christ and by the Spirit, a community in which we are affirmed as children of God.”
Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, said he is delighted to have read that in the last couple of months online searches for ‘prayer’ have increased dramatically.https://www.youtube.com/embed/JjWlBGgFzeE
We pray:
We praise you, living God And cry: ‘Abba’, Father! For you are the One who creates life And loves all that your hand has made. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, living Christ And confess that Jesus is Lord! For you are the crucified and risen One Through whom we have peace with God. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, Spirit of the living God And thank you that we are adopted as children of God. For you are the One who shares in all our struggles And inspires in us hope. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit And worship and glorify your name. We cry: ‘Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.’ Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Tonight, Christians across Scotland will once again join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We continue to join in prayer with 13 other Scottish Christian churches and organisations each Sunday in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown and the phased easing of restrictions, 14 Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, have co-signed the letter calling for prayer.
Scottish Christians have been continuing to answer the call to pray at the same time each week, and Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has been taking part alongside them.
“I’m delighted to have read that in the last couple of months online searches for ‘prayer’ have increased dramatically,” Dr Fair said.
“But reading about what prayer is and how to do it is only the start of it. After that it’s time to actually pray.
“And what better than to join with brothers and sisters from across the nation at 7pm on Sunday to pray our way through this ongoing crisis. I commend it to you and look forward to being with you, in Spirit, on Sunday evening.”
“The past months have reminded us of the precious nature of human life and of our dependence, in part, on others for the sustaining of life. As we acknowledge this to be so, we recognise that ultimately the gift of life is a gift given by God.
“Our ultimate dependence is on the giver of this gift. In this, we are reminded of the fragile nature of life and of creation of God and of the need to care for all that is gifted to us.
“In the midst of the life we share, God creates, through Christ and by the Spirit, a community in which we are affirmed as children of God.
“Within this community we are invited to name the living God, share in the inheritance of Christ and to receive the Spirit of God. (Romans 8: 12-25) As the children of God, who have received the gift of God, we pray…”
We pray:
We praise you, living God And cry: ‘Abba’, Father! For you are the One who creates life And loves all that your hand has made. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, living Christ And confess that Jesus is Lord! For you are the crucified and risen One Through whom we have peace with God. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, Spirit of the living God And thank you that we are adopted as children of God. For you are the One who shares in all our struggles And inspires in us hope. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit And worship and glorify your name. We cry: ‘Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.’ Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Today, Tuesday 14th July 2020, our manse family have the next step in their journey towards indefinite leave to remain.
Please pray for Kevin, Cheryl, Michael and Sarah.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your grace and abundant provision.
The manse family have waited on the Lord and we ask that you pray along with our church community for God’s mercy and favour concerning their continuing immigration process That in God’s Mercy, He will judge with love and grant the family indefinite leave in the United Kingdom.
Whilst lockdown measures continue to ease in Scotland, this Sunday (12 July), Christians across Scotland will continue to join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As with previous weeks during lockdown and the phased easing of restrictions, 14 Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, have co-signed the letter calling for prayer.
Scottish Christians have been continuing to answer the call to pray at the same time each week, and Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has been taking part alongside them.
“I’m delighted to have read that in the last couple of months online searches for ‘prayer’ have increased dramatically,” Dr Fair said.
“But reading about what prayer is and how to do it is only the start of it. After that it’s time to actually pray.
“And what better than to join with brothers and sisters from across the nation at 7pm on Sunday to pray our way through this ongoing crisis. I commend it to you and look forward to being with you, in Spirit, on Sunday evening.”
“Our human experience is shaped, in part, by our past and by our present situation. Our identity is shaped, in part, by all that we have inherited and by how we affirm and are affirmed in our present situation.
“Over time, our experience and our identity are shaped by a multiplicity of influences.
“As the people of God, our experience and our identity are shaped by the community created by Jesus Christ and sustained and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
“Within that community, where the Spirit of God dwells, we find that our experience and our identity are shaped, not only by past and present, but by the future.
“As we face the future, we hear the words of Scripture within the community of the people of God: ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 8: 1 (NRSV).
“Whatever the past has been and whatever the challenges of the present are, we are liberated to face the future with the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
We pray:
Living God, you are our Creator and our Maker. You have made us in your image And sustained us in past days. Guard us and keep us as we remember those days. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, you are our Redeemer and our Deliverer. You reconcile all things through Christ Jesus, The image of the invisible God. Hold our lives in your safe keeping at this present time. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, you are the giver of the gift of the Spirit. You breathe into us the very breath of life And renew us by your Holy Spirit. Lead us into the future, through Christ and by your Spirit. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Living God, as you have been with us in past days, Be with us today and in all the days to come. Grant that we may face the future Assured that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 