"Prayers of the Community"

A Prayer by Ray McGinnis
June 14th, 2009

 

Creator God, each day we wake up, open our eyes,
notice the colours that surround us in our homes, gardens, neighbourhoods.
We see around us the flowers of spring: lilacs, rhododendron, lavender, geranium, begonia and more.
What were once tiny seed packets, bulbs planted in the ground show their splendor.
For all the beauty of the earth we give you thanks.

 

You show us over and over again the face of Christ in others we meet.
Help us honor the your light in each person we meet and greet.
As we give and receive signs of your peace here in this sanctuary,
bless each encounter with friend and stranger through each day, that we may come and go in peace.

 

In a world that calls to us with the gods of hurry and haste,
slow us down. Create in us presence of mind – that we may be open to all that is before us.
Right here. Right now.

 

While we carry into each day our memories and dreams for the future,
help us to be truly present to what you are doing right now in our lives.
We pray for all who are graduating from school this June.
Bless each student with their own sense of potential to make a difference in the lives of others
as they take the next steps along life’s journey.

 

We pray for situations in the world this week that need your healing and justice.
We pray for all who fall among thieves, criminals,
whether here in the streets of Vancouver or on the other side of the world.
God grant your Good Samaritans come fast to comfort those in distress, those who have been harmed.

 

In a time of silence, let us offer to God the silent prayers that are on our hearts….

 

Be present to those who are troubled or mourning or grieving.
Be for them a source of comfort and ease.

 

Loving God, help us to believe in the power of love,
Let our believing be born of love itself,
may our minds be guided by our hearts,
ever opening to you
ever opening to the one
who taught us to love God, and our neighbour as ourselves,
ever opening to the deep meaning of the prayer Jesus taught us:

 

Loving God, in Whom is 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.

Lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom

The Power

And the Glory

Forever and ever,

Amen.