Song of Solomon Chapter 2 from ‘The Message’

Look around you: Winter is over;
the winter rains are over, gone!
Spring flowers are in blossom all over.
The whole world’s a choir—and singing!
Spring warblers are filling the forest
with sweet strains.
Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,
and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.

Gracious God, as Spring officially begins we thank You for sustaining and supporting us through the long and difficult winter months. Our lives continue to be in a state of flux and for some there are still dark days ahead, yet as we see the beauty of Your creation all around us as Spring bursts into life, we are reminded that You are ever present in our world, that Your life-giving power continues to bring about new life and growth. Living God, give us the courage and the assurance to continue to put our trust in You. As we journey ever closer to Easter Day, may our hearts and minds be filled with the hope that is found in the resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ, who promises life in all its fulness when we choose to walk with Him. May the power of Your Love sweep through our communities this new day. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Galatians 6:2 NIV
‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ’.

Gracious God, as Red Nose Day 2021 is celebrated, we give thanks for the work of all charities who strive to make our world a better place. We appreciate that without the support of different charities and their volunteers, the lives of people in need, for so many different reasons, would be that much harder. But so too, we acknowledge that the last 12 months have been particularly difficult for charitable organisations. And so for every ounce of compassion, empathy, understanding, support and very practical help that has been received, we give grateful thanks and ask that You continue to bless and sustain the work of all those, who through their giving, touch the lives of others. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Isaiah 41:13 Good News Translation
‘I am the Lord your God; I strengthen you and tell you, ‘Do not be afraid; I will help you.’”

Gracious God on this Thursday morning, we continue to pray for the work of our NHS, all health care agencies and all carers. We thank You for the dedication of all those who give of their energy, their skills, their resilience and their empathy to care for the needs of others, in whatever role, in whatever setting care is given. We pray that You will strengthen and encourage all those whose vocation it is to protect the well-being of others, both physically and mentally. May we in return, as communities, seek to protect the well-being of those who selflessly give of themselves. God of compassion and grace, we pray for the power of healing to pour into every corner of our hospitals, clinics, hospices, care homes, and our own homes where many continue to care for family members. May the assurance of Your healing presence be felt in the lives of those who are unwell, for whatever reason, and may You give assurance to all care-givers that You are walking alongside them today. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Matthew 28:19 Good News Translation
‘Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit’,

Happy St Patrick’s Day everyone. On St Patrick’s Day we share in a prayer by St Patrick.

May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
– Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore.
Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (Good News Translation)

‘Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal’.

Gracious God, we thank You that Your Son, Jesus Christ, gave us one clear commandment to live by. We thank You that this single commandment can be activated through a single word, that of ‘love’. We thank You that through the ability to love and be loved we can change our world. We thank You that through the ability to love and be loved we can speak words of peace, not anger. We thank You that through the ability to love and be loved we can promote justice and equality, not prejudice. We thank You that through the ability to love and be loved our actions can be rooted in kindness and compassion, not selfish gain. Lord God, as we begin a new day, help us to give thanks for every act of love we witness today. Help us to be encouraged that love hopes, endures and bears all things, and may the knowledge of Your love for us give us hope, faith and patience wherever we journey today. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Colossians 4:2 (Good News Translation)
‘Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God’.

Gracious God, as a new week begins we will have our own concerns, our own challenges and our own hopes and dreams for the week ahead. So, we begin by committing each day to You.
On the days when we feel weary and our resolve is low, we pray for the assurance of the presence of Your Holy Spirit to energise and sustain us.
On the days when new opportunities come our way to serve You and the people around us, we pray that our hearts will be filled with respect and compassion for others.
On the occasions when decisions need to be made concerning the well-being of other people, we pray that justice, equality and empathy will govern any decisions made.
When we find ourselves in difficult situations in our relationships with others, we pray that our conversations will be rooted in honesty, forgiveness and humility.
Lord God, we offer this week into Your hands and ask that you use us, enable, equip and empower us to witness to Your love in our world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Psalm 86:15 (Good News Translation)
‘But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful’.

Gracious God, as our nation marks Mothering Sunday this coming weekend, we come to You in prayer. As we look upon the yellow flower we give thanks for those who care, or have cared for us and brought us joy;parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, friends, neighbours, all those who have nurtured and valued us. For the people who have touched our lives, we give thanks.
As we look upon the purple flower we remember those people who will be feeling sad, for whom Mothering Sunday is a difficult day for whatever reason. We pray that You will draw alongside those who are hurting and will comfort them and surround them with Your presence.
Finally, as we look upon the red flower, we remember Your love for us and remember how You want us to love, nurture and care for others. God our Father and our Mother, we thank You for Your ever-abounding love for us. Amen

Genesis 1:21 (ESV)

‘So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good’.

Gracious God, we praise You and thank You for the beauty, wonder and diversity of the animal Kingdom you have created. We marvel at the variety of species You have created in the air, on land and in the sea. And yet sadly, we acknowledge that humankind has threatened the very existence of many of these amazing animals who were born to roam free in the wild. We give thanks for all conservation agencies and charities who strive to protect endangered species. As Chanua, a black Rhino, begins her 7,000 mile journey to a new home in a protected conservation area, we give thanks for the teams of people who have made this possible and are committed to preventing the extinction of the black Rhino. Lord God, we pray that Governments and authorities will do all they can to protect all species of wild animals and may we in turn, do all we can to support conservation agencies, both here and overseas. May we truly be responsible and caring Stewards of Your Earth. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

‘Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing’.

Gracious God, this morning we lift before You once more the issue of mental health. We acknowledge that so many people are struggling with mental health issues, for so many different reasons. We think especially today of all those suffering in silence and isolation. We pray that all sufferers will have the courage to ask for help but so too, we pray that their voices will be heard and responded to. We pray for all health care professionals and agencies seeking to support mental health issues.
Living Lord, we ask that You will help us to create opportunities to engage in the process of talking and listening to one another. May this process be at the very heart of our communities so that together, we can protect and sustain the mental well-being of all people, of all ages. Give us the courage to challenge those issues that effect the well-being of others. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Gracious God, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave us a new commandment, to love one another as You love us, to treat our neighbours with the respect, the dignity, the understanding and the kindness that we would like to receive in return. We thank You that in everything He did on earth, Christ witnessed to Your values of equality, justice and acceptance for all people. In His actions we see that all people are worthy in Your sight and all are loved and valued by You. And so we pray that You will help us to continue to strengthen our relationship with You, and ask that You help us to ensure that the relationships we build with one another are rooted in kindness and compassion. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.