prayers
These prayers have been provided by the Spirituality Group of the Diocese of Llandaff.
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Holy God, whose presence is known in the structures we build and in their collapse; establish in us a community of hope, not to contain your mystery, but to be led beyond security into your sacred space, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Praise to you Lord God, great the triumph of your love; for you are our defender and maker, our Saviour and our perfect hope. Worthy always of our praise, beautiful are all your blessings. In your holy mercy you will lead us to the feast; for through your cross and resurrection salvation has come to the world.
God of peace, give a sense of hope to your people who live in countries where there is conflict. May they receive the love and nourishment they deserve, and may they strengthen each other through circumstances we cannot begin to imagine. Encourage those who work for peace and reconciliation, give them understanding and patience and a resolve not to give up. May they know the love of Jesus Christ. Amen
Come, Lord Jesus, and make yourself known in the opening of your living word, and in the breaking of the Bread of life; hold us up before the Father, and bind us to one another in the power of your Spirit, that all our lives may be a joyful song to your praise and glory.
Counterpoint by R. S. Thomas
When we are weak, we are
strong. When our eyes close
on the world, then somewhere
within us the bush
burns. When we are poor
and aware of the inadequacy
of our table, it is to that
uninvited, the guest comes.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
Lord forgive us our selfishness, our pettiness and self interest, our pride and arrogance,
the harm we do to each other and to those in other countries,
the ignorance that allows mistakes to be made, the defensiveness that prevents their admission,
the stubbornness that blocks change, the complacency that blinds us to need, the hypocrisy which blames others,
for the faults we have made, for the faults we would make,
for the faults we all make.
SILENCE
Lord turn our regrets into new commitments.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Lord turn our fears into new hopes.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord turn our sins into a new life lived in You.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Amen
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
Lord teach us what we should care about
in our area and the wider world. Inspire us with new ideas.
Turn our ideas into decisions and our decisions into actions.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord teach us to learn from others and to work with others.
Inspire us with a new openness and humility.
Turn our learning into action.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord teach us what really matters.
Inspire us to think more of others than ourselves.
Turn our selfishness into compassion and care.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord teach us to value the things we take for granted in the provision of public services.
Inspire us to find new ways of improving them.
Turn us away from blame into actions that make a difference.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord we give thanks for the dedicated work of MPs, AMs, MEPs,
Ministers, civil servants, local councillors and community leaders.
Inspire them to an even greater spirit of public service.
Show them how to move beyond party self-interest in the service of the wider, common good.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Give to them and to us a new energy and integrity.
Help them to nourish new confidence and trust in their decision making and policies
as they work together for the benefit of those in need.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord, we pray for journalists and the media as they influence our views,
change our perceptions and communicate the issues of this Election.
May they develop their responsibility to truth as part of democratic debate in this country.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord we pray
for the future of the United Kingdom
for Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales
for our role in Europe and the world
for the wellbeing, welfare and wealth of our communities,
for stability and security
for tolerance and understanding
for an acceptance of diversity
for a welcoming of strangers
for hope and confidence in the future
for a new commitment to justice for all.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Lord we pray
for the transformation of poverty into prosperity,
despair into hope,
need into opportunity,
isolation into belonging,
knowledge into new ideas,
problems and solutions,
as we celebrate the gifts of all.
PRAYERS OF COMMITMENT
So send your Spirit, Living God, to transform us and renew us
in knowledge and understanding
in ideas and actions
in commitments and explorations
in relationships and work
in communities and organisations.
Bless us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
May we live our lives for you and each other.
May we trust your love and calling in our lives.
May we know your forgiveness and forgive others.
May we see your Kingdom-its beauty, love and justice as we
co-operate with you in making a better world.
Bless us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
May we know you as God in all the challenges
in all the opportunities
in all the people and situations of our lives.
Bless us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Help us, as we commit ourselves to work with others, to join with you in making all things new. May the God who created all things, the God who saves us the God who longs to lead us into all truth Bless us all, now and in the future. Amen