PRAYER OF PRAISE: –

All around us new life is emerging,
though we may not see it yet.
All around us, God makes things new.
Let us open our eyes and see –
see the new things God is doing,
see God at work in and among us!

God of our past, present and future,
help us to see you at work in your creation –
as flowers lift their heads to the sun,
or trees shake their leaves.
Help us to see you at work in our daily lives,
in our routines and choices,
in our growing and our changing.
Help us to see you at work in all things.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

From our hearts let us make our confession to almighty God:

Lord, you gave a commandment to love one another.
You loved your disciples of old; you love us today.
You will continue to love into eternity.
Help us each day to give life to your words
by sharing and showing your love to one another.
It’s not always easy and often we slip up.
Sometimes what we say can be hurtful.
Sometimes what we do can cause pain.

We are sorry, Lord, for saying or doing what we shouldn’t.
Forgive us, and help us to live out your words in our lives today.
Help us to speak and show your love to one another
and sow it forward into the future.
Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Jesus knows our flaws yet loves us unconditionally.
We are assured of his forgiveness.
He has wiped our slate clean.
New beginnings beckon.
Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

We pray, dear God,

for places where there is division and for countries in the grip of war…may your Holy Spirit bring peace;

for countries where there is religious persecution…

may your Holy Spirit bring unity;

for towns and cities where gang warfare brings fear…
may your Holy Spirit bring hope
         for communities where there is inequality…
may your Holy Spirit bring dignity;

         for workplaces where there is insecurity…
may your Holy Spirit bring confidence;

        for homes where there is brokenness…
may your Holy Spirit bring healing;

        for churches where there is dilemma…
may your holy Spirit bring life:

         to your glory.
Amen.

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.