Category: Celtic Devotions

Daily Devotions for Sunday 4th November, 2018

Why do we Baptise?
Family Communion Sunday

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus – our Redeemer and Saviour

Reading : JOHN 1 verses 19-34

Meditation : take time and consider these words about John the Baptist and Jesus
as your day starts.
Which words stay with you?

Pray in response to this God – including those considering baptism

Our God of new life,
My God,
Hear my prayer this Sunday morning.
Amen and Amen.

Midday
Pray for the Church in our world to experience Sunday blessings
O God of Life and Hope, hear our prayers!

Evening
Reading : read these verses again
Reflect on these words – and Pray in response to what you read.
A Celtic Prayer
Come close to our hearts this evening and listen to our prayers.
Let us feel your presence ever near us as we lay our burdens
At your feet and offer our souls to your service.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Together We Pray in the evening

Today, as the Church of Scotland calls us to a national day of prayer, we pause and pray this evening for the world and the world-wide Church. We use a prayer that was used by those who gathered at this week’s Gathering for Prayer in the Kirk.

Prayer for the World and the World-Wide Church

Dear God

We pray for our Church:
many parts yet one body
under the authority of Jesus Christ.
From north to south, east to west,
help us build your Kingdom,
to see lives transformed.

We ask that in your power
we would be mobilised
as your body
to continue your work.
Of healing
compassion
of showing practical care and love
and of building your kingdom here on earth.

Grant wisdom and love to Church leaders,
so that the way churches interact
would reflect the love of brothers and sisters
and would reflect your love for us.

We Pray for our brothers and sisters
that face persecution for their faith.
That have to meet in secret,
and suffer fear and brutality.
Strengthen them in their time of trial,
Comfort them in their time of sorrow,
Deliver them from evil, we ask.

We pray for our world,
So much suffering and indifference,
Yet so much good and happiness as well.
We pray for your presence
to be in our rejoicing
and in our distress.

In famine,
in drought,
in war,
in poverty,
in political turmoil,
in response to terrorism,
in tribal conflict,
to refugee’s,
Bring your peace and healing
your compassion and provision
reconciliation and aid.

AMEN


The Church at Canning Garden Methodist in Malaysia, our twinned church family.

Together We Pray at midday

Today, as the Church of Scotland calls us to a national day of prayer, we pause and pray at midday for our community in Liberton and SE Edinburgh. We use a prayer that was used by those who gathered at this week’s Gathering for Prayer in the Kirk.

Prayer for our Community

Dear God

We pray for our communities:
the people we are called to love,
the people amongst whom we work;
us, together, within our communities;
every one known to you and
loved by you.

Grant us discernment
that we might know how to serve
in practical and spiritual ways,
that we might more fully understand
the lives of others,
that we might embody the love of God
in everything we do
as part of these communities.

Grant us courage
to stand with those on the margins,
to challenge inequalities,
to fight injustice
and to be a light in the darkness.

Grant us humility,
to recognise the poverty of
our understanding
and the depth of your wisdom,
to acknowledge the riches of your grace
and your endless desire to renew,
as today, your presence renews our lives.

May our community be a place
where the gifts of many are united
in common purpose,
where all are allowed to flourish
and be valued,
where together
we are built into a dwelling place
for the Holy Spirit,
as together we grow in love.

AMEN

Together We Pray in the morning

Today, as the Church of Scotland calls us to a national day of prayer, we pause and pray this morning for our church at Liberton Kirk and the national Church of and in Scotland. There will also be prayers posted at midday and 7pm this evening for our community and our world.
We use a prayer that was used by those who gathered at this week’s Gathering for Prayer in the Kirk.

Prayer for our Local and National Church

Dear God

We pray for our congregation.
May worship be truthful, passionate
and honouring to you.
Whether in ancient hymns or new songs,
may we unite in praise
and offer our whole lives
as worship to you.

In our life together may we encourage
where there is struggle,
celebrate where there is joy,
grow together in our understanding of
the Good News,
be unafraid to challenge,
honest enough to confess our mistakes
and may we remain hopeful
as we dream dreams.

In our mission
make us bold and adventurous.
In our weakness
may we know your strength.
May we have the great joy
of seeing others come to faith in you.
May we be resilient
in our pursuit of justice
and have the humility to share
in the work with others.

May our congregation be a place
where the gifts of many are united
in common purpose,
where all are allowed to flourish
and be valued,
where together
we are built into a dwelling place
for the Holy Spirit,
as together we grow in love.

May our Presbyteries be places of
inspiration, support and encouragement.
Give to them a vision
for what church could be.
Help them to see the possibilities and
to have the courage to reach out in faith.
When faced with difficult decisions
grant them wisdom and grace.

May our councils and committees
seek to support congregations and
presbyteries. With dedicated staff and
enthusiastic volunteers may they be a
force for good throughout our land.

May the Church of Scotland be a place
where the gifts of many are united
in common purpose,
where all are allowed to flourish
and be valued,
where together
we are built into a dwelling place
for the Holy Spirit,
as together we grow in love.

AMEN

Daily Devotions for Saturday 3rd November, 2018

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from God, the Holy Spirit

Reading : ACTS 10 verses 1-43

Meditation : take the time to consider these verses this morning about Peter and Cornelius.
What is God saying to you today?
What is your response?

And then Pray in response with honesty and confession

O God,
Hear my prayer.
Forgive me
Open my eyes
And my ears
And help me I ask
To be more like Jesus
In every way.
Amen we pray together this new day.

Midday
Pray God’s hand of blessing on those struggling with God’s Word at this time
O LORD God, hear our prayers and guide each and all – even today.

Evening
Reading : read the verses again from Acts 10
Reflect on these words and what they mean for you …. and then Pray to this God
LORD God, our God, hear our evening prayers.

Together We Pray

As part of the national call to pray together from the Church of Scotland, today we pause and pray for our community of Liberton and SE Edinburgh. We include a prayer provided under the heading of Peace for the Whole Community.

We pray for all those who live and work around us.
We pray for those who serve us in nurseries and schools, medical centres and businesses.
We pray for those who work in local government positions.

Dear Lord, as I arise this day, may I put on
the cloak of your love,
the power of your shoes,
the wisdom of your hat,
the peace of your prayer stole,
to equip me for all that I do, with all whom I meet,
and so to extend the reach
of your love, power and wisdom
through the whole community.
Amen.

God of grace and mercy and compassion,
Hear our prayers
for all those who live in the streets and new houses around us
for all those who work in and serve this community of ours
that each and all may know You
and demonstrate your love
and wisdom
and justice
and mercy
to each and all.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.