…The Lord says: “stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls”…. Jer 6:16 NIV

Gracious God, our Creator and our Saviour, we take a moment to lift our eyes up to you and we praise you for who you are.

We thank you that you are always on hand to help and lead us through any situation or decision. Thank you that you might guide us through the wisdom of others; as we read your word in the Bible; in our circumstances and by the still, small voice of your Spirit in our hearts.

Help us to recognise your will and your voice in our lives. Remind us that when you call us, you equip us. As we step out in your name, we do not step out alone, but we stand on the steadfast, supporting arms of your son Jesus.

Jesus Lord my strength, my heart,
I desire to follow you;
Yet the path seems uncertain,
Which way do I turn?
So many choices are before me
All beckoning, calling my name.

Come to me Lord,
my strength, my heart,
Reveal your love and your way.
Teach me pray,
To seek your will,
Draw me closer day by day.

I praise you Lord,
my strength my heart,
You will never abandoned me.
You direct, you guide,
Love, care and provide,
Your grace is sufficient and free.

Gracious God, we praise you. Help us to trust in your love and guidance throughout our lives, for Jesus sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Gracious God, we praise you that your goodness and your mercy follows us, all our life; we do not need to pursue you or chase after you, for you are never far from us, your love is constantly seeking us out and drawing us close to you. You bring us to safe pastures and to a place of peace, belonging, trust and security with you, both now and forever.

Gracious God, we praise you for your presence in our lives and we thank you for your many blessings. As we consider our blessings today, may we have hearts of gratitude and thankfulness for all you have provided for us. May we also remember to thank those who bless our lives each day. And may we show the goodness and mercy of Jesus to those around us. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

(Jesus said) “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find new pasture. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

John 10: 9-10 NRSV

Emmanuel, God with us, as we sit, we invite you to sit with us. We praise you for Jesus who came into our broken world, and through his sacrifice on the cross flung open the gates of heaven to all who call on his name. We praise you that Jesus is here in our midst and loves and accepts us just as we are. We reflect on these familiar, yet awesome words of truth and love and we praise you.

We thank you for your eternal love that transforms us and sends us out to pray, act and share your love with a hurting world. Thank you that we do not face this task alone, but we are part of a community, a family of believers in Jesus. Thank you that you send your Holy Spirit to guide us, that we might pray and work, not on our own, but through your might, your power and your strength.

Emmanuel, God with us, we praise you, we worship you, we thank you for your wondrous love for all people.

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26 NIV

Lord God, we praise you for the many and beautiful prayers in the bible. Prayers that point us to you and to Jesus, assuring us of your eternal love, your goodness, your peace and your mercy.

Lord God, we take a few moments, to be still before you, to read the verse, look at the image and consider how you might speak to us through them. We to turn our face towards you, that the light of your love may illuminate us……..

In the quiet, we pray for all seeking your peace. We lift before you, our loving God, anyone or any situation that you have placed on our heart and ask for your blessing…..

Lord God, may your love sustain all in need of your peace. May you hold us fast in the palm of your hand. May the light of Jesus outshine the darkness and draw us close. And may your blessing, grace and peace be in our hearts today. Lord God, we praise you. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:5 NIV

Gracious God, we praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for the everyday symbols of fire, water and wind, that remind us of your presence here with us through your Holy Spirit.

Gracious God, pour out your love on us and bring us closer to you. As we wash our hands, or feel the wind on our face, remind us that we can draw on your grace and strength every day in every decision, in every situation. We thank you for the hope we have in Jesus; the hope that sustains us both now and into the future.

In your great love, give us the words and opportunities to share our faith, that all may know the eternal love of Jesus our Saviour. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden…..

Is 58:11 NIV

Beauty eternal
Risen from the grave,
Ascended to heaven
In radiance displayed.

Beauty eternal
Clear and bright,
Forever interceding
With power and might.

Beauty eternal
Reigning above,
Through clouds of glory
Shinning heavenly love.

Beauty eternal
Faithful and true,
Guiding by your Spirit
Making all things new.

Beauty eternal
Out of our sight,
Revealed by your Spirit
To the Father’s delight.

Beauty eternal
Jesus, may we gaze
On your love and compassion
All of our days.

Gracious God, we praise you. We take a moment to be quiet and still in your presence. We breathe in your peace…..

We thank you for Jesus, enthroned in heaven with you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who is with us to point us to Jesus, and strengthen, comfort and guide us throughout our lives.

Gracious God, may we commit ourselves afresh to you and draw deeply on the well of your renewing love, that the beauty and grace of Jesus may be displayed in us. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him singing with joy.

Psalm 100 1-2 NLT

Almighty God, we praise you for the wonders and majesty of this world. We praise you for the beauty, the exquisite detail and the perfect balance in all of creation; from the highest mountain to the deepest ocean, from the most delicate flower to the mighty oak, from the fluttering sparrow to the soaring eagle, from the squeak of a field mouse to the roar of a lion, from the rising to the setting sun. All creation praises you.

Almighty God we praise you that we can see your good, loving, faithful and gracious character in our world. Thank you that in nature we may find joy, relaxation and peace. Thank you that we may feel closer to you, our Maker, who knows, loves and cares for each one of us. Draw us nearer to you through Jesus and help us to value and care for our world and each other with love, joy and praise. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Ps 23:6 ESV

Gracious God as we look at this photo, we overlay it with the story of Zacchaeus:-

Zacchaeus, a wealthy and unpopular tax collector (he often cheated people out of their taxes) knew that Jesus was passing through his home town of Jericho. Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and wanted to see him for himself.

As Jesus arrived, accompanied by his followers and the crowds, Zacchaeus, being short, realised he would not catch a glimpse of Jesus unless he took action. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree, with a good vantage point to take a closer look at Jesus.

But, as Jesus passed by, he stopped, looked up and called to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree, and to the displeasure of the crowd, announced he was going to stay with Zacchaeus in his house that day.

Zacchaeus came down from the tree, he was incredulous, but overjoyed. He promised to give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had defrauded 4 times the amount. Jesus said “today salvation has come to this house”.
(St Luke’s gospel chapter 19)

Zacchaeus was interested in Jesus, he wanted to get a closer look, wanted to find out more.
Maybe he thought “Why would he be interested in me? He is busy with others, he wouldn’t want anything to do with me, surely not…..?”

Loving and merciful God, you call to each of us out of your goodness and love. We cannot hide from your notice or attention. Your gracious love transforms us. Nothing and no-one is beyond the reach of your redemptive love. Thank you for your love and concern for each one of us.

Help us to come to you in the light of your love and in the sure knowledge that in Jesus we will never find condemnation. We find only mercy, forgiveness, love and acceptance, a release from burdens and a fresh, new start. Help us to love and accept other as you love us. Loving and merciful God we praise you.

Ruth Rushworth

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights……And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

James 1:17 NIV 1:18 NLT

Gracious God, we look at this picture of a fountain, pouring forth droplets of water, each one sparkling in the spring sunshine. We see each droplet touching the water and spreading out in a ripple effect of light across the lake.

We thank you that every one of us is equally valuable, precious and wholly and dearly loved by you; there is no hierarchy in your kingdom.
We praise and thank you for the gift of life and love, given freely to us through Jesus.

Thank you too for the gifts, talents and skills you have given to each of us. We may think that we have little or nothing to give, or that what we do has little impact or significance. However, you assure us that nothing we do in your name is ever wasted. You bless and multiply all we offer you, in ways we may never know.

Gracious God, as we pray and work individually and collectively, may the ripples of your love spread throughout the world, touching especially those who feel lost, isolated and forgotten.

Ruth Rushworth

Text Box

I will say to the Lord “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Ps 91:2 ESV

Jesus is Lord
Jesus is King;
Our strength
Our rock
Our dwelling place
Jesus, your praises we sing.

Jesus is steadfast
Jesus is sure;
Our truth
Our way
Our fulness of life
Jesus, your name we adore.

Jesus is love
Jesus is meek;
Our source
Our spring
Our ever-present help
Jesus, your mercy we seek.

Jesus is listening
Jesus is here;
Our friend
Our peace
Our burden-bearer
Jesus, your love calms our fear.

Gracious God, we take a moment to thank you for Jesus. Whatever is on our minds, our concerns for the day, our work, home, school, health, family, friends, community or our world, we lay them at your feet. We thank you that we can draw on your love, your strength and your guidance in any situation. We take a moment to praise you, to thank you and to think about what you mean to us in our life.

Gracious God, thank you that the time, however long or short, we spend with you is never wasted.  Each moment with you is precious. We thank you for your words of truth and life. Take us forward as we go about our day, in the knowledge and assurance of your eternal love for us, shown in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ruth Rushworth