Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. 

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 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

Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 
Ps 119:105  NLT

Gracious God, we praise for your Word in the bible and for Jesus your living, true Word. Thank you that your Word is true and relevant and speaks to us today. 
Help us to understand and apply your Word and your promises in our lives, that our words may be filled with truth, love compassion and grace.
Once a word is spoken it cannot be unsaid. May your Holy Spirit help us us to choose our words wisely and well to bring light to others. May we know when to speak, when to be silent and when to simply pray.  

Sometimes words come easy, 
sometimes they are hard.
They speak of the deepest truths,
And matters of the heart

They bring life and fullness,
Or darkness and despair. 
They bring hope and promise,
Or hurt and lack of care

So let us be so careful,
To think before we speak.
Or type a message, press send,
and see the word “receipt”

Holy spirit guide us,
Gently as a dove.
That the words we speak, send and share,
resound with truth and love.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and redeemer. (Ps 19:14 ESV)

Ruth Rushworth

May the God of peace equip you with everything good to do his will.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

To you o Lord we lift our gaze.
To you o Lord we sing our praise.

You lead us gently forward,
Into your precious light,
To a place you have prepared for us,
For when the timing is perfect and right.

You bring us to a place,
Beyond our hopes and dreams,
A place of love and service,
Of peace, not of natural means.

You provide us with all we need,
blessings, gifts and skills,
Perfectly suited to each one of us,
To our hearts, our minds, our wills

You equip us so completely,
With all that we require,
As we step out we need not fear,
For Jesus is our rock, our strength, our tower.

Whenever you may call us,
Wherever you may lead,
By your grace may we follow,
In thought and word and deed.

To you O Lord we lift our gaze.
To you o Lord we sing our praise.

Gracious God, we praise you for and reflect on your guidance and provision in our lives. We thank you that you have brought us safely to this new day.  
May our lives be an open canvas for you to paint your words of love. May we be sensitive to and follow the nudging of your Holy Spirit in all things, big and small, that the love Jesus has for each of us be known and shared in our lives. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

God is love 
1 John 4:8

Lord, you look on us with love.  Thank for the love of Jesus, that invites us to come, to believe and trust in him, day by day.  Lord, your love brings life and light; Lord, shine the light of your love

Lord, You look on us with love. May we open our hearts to receive your generous love.

Lord, You look on us with love, show us opportunities to share the love and kindness of Jesus, our friend and Saviour.

Lord, you look on us with love. May your love be a source of strength, comfort and hope today and in the days to come.

Lord, you look on us with love. May your love inspire our prayers of gratitude and praise. May your love, show us how to pray for the needs of our world, our leaders, our communities and our families.

Lord, shine the light of your love. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

John 3:16 GNT

Gracious God, the cross in the photo was left at the door of church and is now displayed in one of the windows.

As we look more closely, we see the cross is formed of many pieces of paper,  carefully and beautifully folded, wrapped around each other, each one unique, but contained and held within the arms of the cross, forming part of the whole, each piece has its place in the picture.

We reflect on God’s love  …..

The picture reminds us that Jesus knows all of us completely, all our ins and outs, our twists and turns. He loves us and accepts us just as we are.

It reminds us that, on the cross Jesus gave his life for each and every person. He paid the price for all the wrongs, hurts, suffering and pain of this world, past present and future.

It reminds us that through the Resurrection we have new life. When we turn to Jesus our Saviour we are promised forgiveness, eternal life and a new beginning.  We can find healing, purpose, joy, peace and hope in his everlasting love and presence with us.

It shows us that we are all united in Jesus, we all matter, we are all part of his body, his family of believers, continuing his work of sharing his love, serving and telling others about him.

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of the cross left at the door of church. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful gift of Jesus our Saviour.

Gracious God, may your Holy Spirit draw us closer to you and help us to appreciate more fully the wonderful and free gift of life and love in Jesus. We pray that all who are searching or questioning will find the assurance of your love in Jesus and their place in your family of believers. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said ” come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”
Mark 6:31 NIV

Come, I will refresh you,
Come, I will give you rest,
Come, I will carry your burdens,
Come, my way is best.

Come, I will nourish you,
Come, I will calm your fear,
Come, I give you light and life,
Come, I am near.

Come, I will teach you,
Come, I will show you the way,
Come, I am the Lord, your God,
Come, I am here every day.

Jesus, with open arms, You invite everyone to come to You.  We take a moment to rest our bodies, quieten our minds, be aware of our breathing and be still before You; to reflect on our focus and direction and to pray about anything on our hearts and minds ….

Jesus, whether we have minutes, hours or days, we come to You, source of all life and love. Replenish us in mind, body and spirit that we might love you better and nourish others with the love you have for us. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony…let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts…and be thankful.

Col 3:14 /15 NLT

Love in kindness
Love in meekness
Love in compassion
Love in completeness 

Love in forgiving
Love in nurturing
Love in listening
Love in caring

Love in our hearts
Love in our minds
Love in our souls
Love in our lives 

Loving God, we come to You today and thank You for the wonderful gift of love that gives meaning and holds everything together.  We thank you for Jesus and his greatest gift and act of love as He lay down his life for us.

Loving God, may we be clothed by your Spirit in the rich and gracious love that comes from You. Bind us together in harmony as we pray, live and act together for the needs of each other and our world. Grant us a thankful heart for all your blessings and may we know your peace in our lives. We bring our prayers to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord’s unfailing love and compassion never ends

Lamentations 3:22 

Your love is with us
The port in the storm
The rest for the weary
The comfort for all who mourn
The strength for the weak
The healing for the sick
God of love and mercy,
your grace and peace we seek.

God of compassion, you walk alongside us every day. Help us to draw on your strength and grace, as we go about our daily lives. May we be mindful of the needs of others in our prayers and share your loving kindnesses in the generosity and thoughtfulness of our words and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

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. Draw us close 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

‘If I ride on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast’.

Ps 139: 9-10 NIV

Gracious God, wherever we go, whatever we do, we can never travel beyond the reaches of your love, care and guidance; nothing can separate us from your love in Jesus.

This summer, if we travel on holiday or have days out, travel with us. If we stay at home, stay with us, if we have appointments or work accompany us.  Whatever we face, we thank You that You face it with us.

Holy Spirit pour out your love. Protect us and be with us in all we do.  Bless us with times of refreshment and replenishment; times of laughter, fun and joy; times to enjoy family and friends and build relationships; times to enjoy your wonderful creation and times to be still and draw close to Jesus.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Image: colouring book ” Balloons, boats and butterflies” by Hannah Dunnett

* Romans 8:38-9

” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Jer 29:11 NIV

Grace reaches out
To our unformed state,
No work is too hard,
No timing too late.

Seeing all
that we will become,
Transforming, changing,
No work left undone.

Beauty and goodness
Flow from his face,
Life and love are held,
In his embrace.

Gentle and tender
Vulnerable yet strong
In the open-hearted love
Of Christ we belong.

Gracious God, thank You for beauty and wonder of nature, for the change we see as a moth is transformed into a butterfly.

Thank you gracious God for the love of Jesus,  the love that calls us friends, the love that works for good in every situation, the love that never gives up on us, the love that never fails.

Gracious God, we pray for all who are waiting for change, opportunity or a breakthrough.  In their time of waiting, may your love support and sustain and bring your hope and peace. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

Phil 4:13 CEV

Gracious God, I open my heart
to your love and purpose.
Jesus, my Saviour I open my heart
to you life and light.
Holy Spirit, I open my heart
to your power and guidance.

When my heart is brittle,
Soften it with your love;
When I cannot see the way,
Lead me in the way of Jesus.
When I am weak, bless me
With strength and courage,
And the reassurance,
Of your presence,
Alongside me,
Every day.
Amen.

Gracious, faithful God, your heart of love is all around us.  May your love flow into our hearts and lives and of those we love and pray for.  We pray especially today for anyone You have placed on our hearts ….. may they know your peace, your presence and the and strength of your healing love. Amen

Ruth Rushworth
Painting: courtesy of Cheryl O’Connor