PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

By Celia Light 

February 9, 2003

 Let us pray.

All Forgiving God, as we are perched between the deaths of the 7 shuttle astronauts, another impending war with Iraq and the sabre rattling of North Korea

Rekindle in us the certainty that you are with us always-

Not so much to prevent these disasters, as to brace us and light our way through them.

Bless us as we wrestle with the constructs of power.

Instil in those who wield that power an increasing motivation for calm.

Thank you Loving God for the secure circle of our family and friends.

We pray in these turbulent times that you will remind us of the power in your creations to restore.

We thank you for the treasured bright buds of early camellias.

We thank you for the humble, sweet birdsong of the plain, brown sparrow.

We thank you for the soft lap of water on sand at English Bay

And the salt tang of seaweed-infused air.

God of Truth, we thank you for the pets with whom we share our lives-

The creatures that bring us laughter and unfailing love.

Great Spirit, help our hearts to listen for the song of Jesus.

Give us the resilience of that sparrow that stays behind on the sparse, grey twigs of winter and endures.

Make us aware of your infinite hope for us.

Help us to keep you prominently in our picture.

Quiet One – for the individuals in this world dispirited by loss, hunger and fear

Allow them to soar above these injuries into the wide blue of Your Plan for them.

We especially pray that you will hold the family of Jim Sutherland as they adjust to their loss.

We thank you for the well-being of the precious new granddaughters of Edith & Peter Matthews.

We thank you for the great gift of twins to the family of Faye Freedman.

We thank you, Lord for taking us to those places we would really not wish to go-

For it is in those places that we meet you firsthand and learn the enduring lessons.

Give us the courage, Spirit of Love to accomplish the tasks you set before us.

Turn us from scrabbling in self-centeredness and over-consumption.

Keep us ever conscious of the joy of service as Jesus revealed-

As he walked this dusty earth to free us all and empower us to good-

Towards every man, every woman, every child.

We thank you for the subtle ways in which you encourage us-

And God of Wonder, we thank you for the spiritual peace you offer today and will offer tomorrow.

Humbly we pray that you will accompany the members of this congregation - bound together by the love of your Son, Jesus Christ –

Who taught us to pray :

Our loving God, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.