Prayer of Praise

(from A Year of Prayer p132 to 133) 

  Almighty God, we give you praise because of what we see in Creation, your power at work holding everything together, your wisdom directing life within us and around us.  We may marvel at the findings of Science, yet we know that you created all these things at the beginning of Time and Space.  We may wonder at the intellect of others as they deduce and determine how life works, yet we know that you decided upon all these things before any life was created.  Humanity seeks to replicate your creative powers but fails to match the intelligence and insight that we see behind your Creation.

  Compassionate God, rather than abandoning us to all the destructive powers of evil, you chose to confront the power of sin and death by sharing our Humanity and our suffering, in and through the sacrificial love of Jesus.  Through his love, lives formerly overwhelmed by the fear of death and darkness have been enlightened and eased.  Jesus Christ, your son, is surely the everlasting sign of your steadfast love towards us, and towards all people.  He is the assurance that we are known intimately and valued by you in ways beyond our Human understanding.

  God our comforter, in you we have someone who listens to our cries of despair and our calls for help.  In you we have someone who walks beside us day by day, guiding us in the right paths and leading us to places of peace and rest.

  Almighty God, you are the only God.  There is no substitute for you nor an alternative to you.  You are our God, the God whom we worship and adore.  You have intervened in History to demonstrate to all Humanity that you are the one true God, who is worthy of all praise and honour and deserving of our total obedience.  It is you whom we gather to offer our praise and worship, now and always, to your glory we pray.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession   

Merciful God, your Law is an expression of your divine perfection, an unmistakable image of what is holy, pure and good.  Your standards and principles reveal to us how to act justly and honourably in all that we do.  Your words guide us as to how to walk uprightly and how to treat others with respect and as equals in your sight.

Yet your Law has left us destitute and desperate; for your Law compels us to confess that we have not lived up to its precepts and its demands.  We confess that we have sinned and have sinned repeatedly.  We have taken our eyes off you and off what you love, and, instead, have become entranced with the appeals of the World.

Merciful God, forgive us. 

We have sought fulfilment and solace in Worldly pleasures and experiences.

Merciful God, forgive us. 

We have clung onto things that draw us away from your love and which build up barriers between us and others.

Merciful God, forgive us. 

We avoid the challenges of meeting people who are different or who demand of our time and spare change, or who present needs that are real and need to be met.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We humbly acknowledge that by our sinfulness we have forfeited your favour towards us, and acknowledge with sorrow that, by our own efforts, we cannot remove our sin nor atone for our sin.

Merciful God, we cannot earn our salvation by our moral actions nor by our religious rites.

We come confessing our sin that separate us from yourself and that separates us from each other.

Merciful God, forgive our sins and cleanse our souls of all that is impure and unlovely.  Restore our relationship with you through your mercy and grace.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from 2 Corinthians 5: 14a & 15a) 

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ revealed His love for all people by dying and being raised from death for their sake.  Having confessed our sins before God, let us accept with joy this good news, that God has heard us, that God has forgiven us, and that God has cleansed us in His sight.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Let us come before God with our cares and our concerns.

Almighty God, we pray for the Church, that the seed of faith planted in the heart of each believer may grow into a bountiful manifestation of your reign in the World.

We pray for a deeper love and appreciation for your Word, that it will nourish and enrich us as we strive to be true disciples of Jesus.

We pray for a renewal of faith, that the Holy Spirit will enable us to live in a trusting reliance with you, who is always faithful and who desires to share life with us.

We pray for growth in hope, that your faithful love will sustain us in times of discouragement and empower us to persevere through difficult times with the confidence that you make all things new.

We pray for a spirit of Evangelization, that we may scatter your Word through our work, daily activities, and conversations so that many people may encounter Christ today.

We pray for a bountiful harvest, that you will grant growth to crops, seasonable weather, and protection from disease so that all may be nourished and sustained by the fruits of the earth.

We pray for a renewal of stewardship, that we may recognize our gifts of time, talent, and treasure that you have entrusted to us and place these at the your service and the service of one another.

We pray for the sick, that you will bless and strengthen those preparing for or recovering from surgery, that you will restore them to health, and fill their hearts with peace about their new healing and wholeness.

We pray for all who are in need, that you will give strength to those struggling with addictions, protection to runaway youth and refugees, and comfort to the isolated and the grieving.

We pray for the protection of the human family: that God will strengthen those who are working to defeat the Covid-19 virus, speed resources to those in crisis, and bring healing to all who are sick.

We pray for all levels of our Governments, that you will help them to fulfill their duties, seek the truth and the common good in all the issues that arise, and be open to learning from one another.

We pray for safety and protection for those responsible for safeguarding our personal, medical, and public data to greater awareness and insight as they work against destructive internet attacks and ransomware intrusions.

We pray for peace, that you will help World leaders to dialogue honestly so that violence may end, the weak and innocent may be protected, and that the dignity of each person may be respected.

Copyright © 2021. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/ 

We pray for guidance for those who are treating Violet that they will know how best to address the return of her tumour.

We pray for the young family whose husband/ father recently passed away, that they may find the consolation they need for their grief and loss.

We thank you for the leaders of Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School, and ask that they will be encouraged to continue with their efforts.  May your Spirit be inspiring the children in the classes to search for a deeper understanding of the part that you can play in their lives.

We pray for the Chaplain at Bald hills State School, Kylie, that you will encourage and guide her as she seeks to meet the needs of children , parents and staff at the school.

We pray for those who have been unable to worship with us recently:

We ask for your care and protection for them.  May they be assured of your constant presence with them.  Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care.  To your glory we pray.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.