inspired by Psalm 104:1-9, Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10
Wind-riding God,the blue skies, the sunshine,the cool breezes cradling falling leaves: all creation reminds us of the delicate Artist who has shaped us and all that is around us. We lift our songs of gratitude and awe to you.
Servant-calling Jesus: you humble our arrogance with your acts of mercy; you tip over our pretensions with your modest nature; you laugh at our hunger for power with your words of grace.
Heart-keeping Spirit: you bear our prayers to the throne of grace when they are only whispers in our souls; you unfold the road map to show us the way to the Kingdom; you transform our stuttering words into praise and wonder to our God.
The images are from our own church garden. Brimming with life and colour.
The doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked. (John 20.19)
Ever present God, be with us in our isolation, be close to us in our distancing, be healing in our sickness, be joy in our sadness, be light in our darkness, be wisdom in our confusion, be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar, that when the doors reopen we may with the zeal of Pentecost inhabit our communities and speak of your goodness to an emerging world.For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Last Sunday, thousands of Christians across Scotland answered the call to pray at the same time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following positive feedback from last week’s prayer initiative, a further letter has been signed by 14 Christian organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland.
The letter states: “We pray in solidarity with those across Britain and Ireland and in solidarity with those across the world who face the challenge that the Covid-19 pandemic brings.”
Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “When so much is not normal how lovely it can be to come together at 7pm each Sunday and have a few moments in which we can pray together. Let me encourage you to keep hope alive and join with us in prayer.”
Joint prayer from Christians in Scotland:
We turn to you, our Father, for we need your help. Lord Jesus, as you have promised, be with us, whatever lies ahead, Strengthen us, Holy Spirit, as we face this together.
We pray for our world and our country, as coronavirus threatens our lives and our livelihood, leaving many in lockdown, while key workers continue, despite the risk.
We pray for government leaders at Westminster and Holyrood, responding to medical and scientific advice, making tough decisions for the wellbeing of all.
We pray for all who serve on the frontline in the NHS and in social care; facing increasing numbers, overstretched resources and distressing human need.
Bless those who are ill, those who are alone and afraid, those exhausted looking after their family, those worried for the vulnerable, those fearful for their finances, those shut in to their fears.
Thank you for those who have returned from retirement to help, or joined the volunteer army. Thank you for those working: to manufacture needed resources, to find a vaccine, to keep in contact with the isolated, to encourage others at this time.
Have mercy on us, O Lord. Give us faith, hope and love and hear our prayers, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
We are not people of fear: we are people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity. We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs For as long as it takes wherever you call us.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 