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

Romans 5:5 NIV

Holy Spirit
living flame
Burning brightly
Never to wane

Fanning the flames
Of perpetual love
Burning for justice
Working for good

Renewing hearts
Minds and lives
With the love of God.
in Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit
Burning bright
Transforming the world
with Love and light

Gracious God, your love and faithfulness encircle and shine throughout our world. May the love of Jesus bring hope, light, life and peace to all our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gracious God as we look at the lighted candles and reflect on the power of your love, we pray for the people, places and situations on our hearts. May the light of your love shine ever brighter in our world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said ” I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27 NLT

Peace in the busyness
Peace in the stillness
Peace in the noise
Peace in the silence
Peace on the coast
Peace on the land
Peace in Jesus
Peace, held in his hand.

Peace in our comings
Peace in our goings
Peace always
Peace ever near
Peace in the presence
Of God drawn near.

Gracious God, we thank you for the peace we can know in your presence. Thank you for the peace of Jesus.

As we look at the picture of the artwork ‘Forget-Me-Nots’ we take a moment to reflect on the peace of God …. We pray your words of peace over the people, places and situations you have placed on our hearts.

Help us to consider how we might spread your peace in our world, in our communities and in our families with listening, with understanding, with kindness, with love and with action.  Help us to spread your peace and harmony in nature in the way we treat and care for our environment.

God of peace, may the peace of Jesus be with us. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’

Ps 91: 1-2 NIV

We rest in your shelter,
We sit at your feet,
Protected by your shadow,
Made complete.

Secure in the presence,
Of your faithful love,
Bound by your peace,
By your sweet grace above.

Our refuge and fortress,
Our shield and strength,
An ever present help,
Our daily defence

In every battle we fight,
in every challenge we face,
you are there alongside us,
God of mercy and grace.

Gracious God, We take time to relax our bodies, quieten our minds and to sit with you, in the shelter of your presence.  We reflect on your words of assurance, protection and love in this psalm….

God of mercy and grace, you meet us in our need in the saving love of Jesus.  Help us to place our trust in You.  We pray for anyone facing difficulties of any kind, that your love would cast out fear. We pray for the assurance and shelter of your presence, the guiding hand and strength of your Spirit and the peace of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen

Based on thoughts around Psalm 91

Ruth Rushworth

You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

Jer 29:13 GNT

Loving God,
King of kings,
Lord of life,
What joy he brings.

He gave his life,
That we might live,
In love and purpose,
Our wills aligned to his.

Forgiveness and healing,
Are in his open palms,
Peace and joy,
In his outstretched arms.

To all who search,
To all who seek,
In the love of Jesus,
We are made complete.

Loving God, we reflect on your love in Jesus. When we seek You we will find You, for is You who calls out to us; it is You who seeks us out and leads us to Jesus.

Loving God, thank you for heart of love. May we respond to your call and seek afresh the open, outstretched arms of Jesus who welcomes all.  We pray for any person, situation or place you have placed on our hearts today. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

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

Romans 5:5

Love is the answer
To our ups and downs
Love brings a smile
It replaces a frown

Love is the antidote
To anxiety and stress
Love thinks and acts
In the way that is best

Love brings healing
Mercy and grace
Hope and peace
Through our Saviour, Jesus

Loving God, you love us totally, utterly and completely. Dear Lord, help this wonderful truth to sink into our hearts and minds. We are loved by You. There is nothing more powerful than your love in Jesus. Loving God, transform lives with your love by the power of your Spirit.

We pray for your blessings on anyone in need in of the strength, peace and reassurance of your boundless love. Loving God, we come to you with open hands and hearts, may we be channels of your gracious love, for Jesus sake. Thank you for love. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.
Ecc 3:1&11 NIV

Creator God, we thank you for the beauty of the changing seasons and the vibrant colours of autumn.  Thank you for your love and goodness displayed in nature.  We take a moment to quieten our minds as we reflect and spend this time with You….

Loving God, we are not alone, You are here with us every day, in every season of our lives, by your Spirit.  Thank you that whatever we face today, we face it in the knowledge of your love in Jesus. Thank you that, however we feel, we have the assurance of your eternal love.

Gracious God, your grace is sufficient for us,*  may we use our time and the gifts you have given us in this season of our lives for your good and your glory.  Bless us with your grace to live this day conscious of your presence with us, and in a way that reflects your love for all.  We offer You our prayers in the name of Jesus our Saviour.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

* 2 Cor 12:19 NIV

These 3 remain: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.

1 Cor 13:13 GNT

Gracious God, may the love of Jesus be the bedrock, the pillar of faith and the strength and joy in our lives. 
“Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth; love never gives up; and it’s faith hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal.”
1 Cor 13: 4-8 GNT

Gracious God, thank you for the beautiful gift of love.  As we take time to reflect in your loving presence, increase the qualities of your perfect love in our lives, that love may be deepened, increased and shared among us, for Jesus sake. Amen. 
Ruth Rushworth

…. Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives ….

Gal 5:16 NLT

Holy Spirit
Inspire our prayers
Bring your words
To our listening ears

Inflame our hearts
With love and purpose
To care and serve
In the name of Jesus

Gracious God, we come to You. Help us to still our minds, put aside any anxieties and focus on You. We breathe in the peace of your presence and release any tension as we breathe out ….
You are the Lord our God who made us. We are precious to you and your love for us is unconditional.  We praise you.  Help us to open our hearts to anything you wish to say to us ….

Gracious God, thank you that you have a purpose for us each and every day, in the routine and ordinary, as well as the new and challenging.  Each day is a gift from you.  As we step out today, may we step out knowing You are with us.  May we be sensitive to your voice and the needs of others.  May we take the opportunities we have to show your kindness in our world through our prayers, words and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Is 54:10 NIV

Dear God, whatever we face in this life, whenever we feel shaken, your word assures us time and time again that your love that is unbreakable and your peace cannot be shattered.

Jesus said “my peace be with you…. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” * Gracious God, we pray for all who are troubled or afraid. We pray for the blessing and assurance of your peace. Amen.

* John 14:27 NIV

Jesus said “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. Whoever comes to me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:35 NIV

Saving grace calls
To all who would hear;
Come to me,
Come, draw near.

Listen to my words,
Hear my eternal plea;
I gave my life, my love, my all,
A gift, to set you free.

Accept my loving offer,
Given for you, willingly,
Turn your eyes, open your heart,
And come, simply trusting in me.

Loving God, we come to You in praise, we come to You in thankfulness, we come to You in our joy, we come to You in our struggles, we come to You with open hands.  We come to You today in the name of Jesus….

God of provision, thank you that You nourish and sustain us physically and spiritually through Jesus, the source and centre of love. May we be strengthened and rooted in faith,  May we find rest and replenishment in your shade, and may we blossom and bear fruit in your light and love. Open our hands and hearts to share your love and provision with others that the hungry may be fed and the thirsty satisfied.  We pray for anyone seeking the assurance of your provision and may your Spirit bring the peace of Jesus.  Amen.

St John writes  – (Jesus)… became a man and lived among us! And we gazed upon the splendour of his glory…overflowing with tender mercy and truth!  …  And now out of his fullness we are fulfilled. And from him we received grace heaped upon more grace.

John 1: 14, 16 TPT

Gracious God, who created everything and everyone out of love, we come to you at the start of this new day. We thank you for the fullness of your love, your faithfulness, grace and kindness.

As we reflect on your love we consider the day that lies ahead of us, the opportunities and challenges we may face and the people we may meet. Bless our day dear Lord, fill it with your love and grace. May your blessings and kindness flow into all our lives, for Jesus sake. Amen

Then God said ” Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 
Gen 1:1 NIVUK

God of creation and provision, we thank You for creating a beautiful and fruitful world for us to care for and enjoy.  Thank you for the beauty of the harvest moon, the ripe and bountiful berries, fields harvested or being sown for winter crops, birdsong filling the air, glistening spiders’ webs and the ever changing colours of the new season.

Gracious God, out of love, and through Jesus, You created each and every one of us and the world we live in.  Help us to love, care and provide for each other and our planet as we ought.  As we go about our day, may we notice and praise You for the wonder and beauty of your creation. Amen

Ruth Rushworth