Tag: celtic

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.

Daily Devotions for 2nd November, 2018

Morning
Look Upward and Pray to hear and receive from Jesus

Reading : JEREMIAH 6 verses 16-21
Meditation : consider carefully these words as your day starts.
Which words or images stay with you?
What is God saying to you today?

And then Pray in response to the God who guides us.

God of guidance
God who speaks
God of Jeremiah
God of my life today
We pause and bow before you.
Teach us
Help us
Lead us
Even today
Amen – we pray together.

Midday
Pray God’s blessing on those preparing to preach this weekend
Father God, hear our prayers and bless them each and all real good we ask

Evening
Reading : read this passage again
Reflect on the words you have just read and pray in response to this God
LORD God, hear our evening prayers
As we return our thanks to you
And as we trust you for tomorrow.

Together We Pray

As part of the national call to pray together from the Church of Scotland, today we pause and pray for our land and our world. We use a prayer provided under the heading of a song for justice.

Hear me, O God,
hear my songs of lament
at injustices
too many, too overwhelming,
crowding in on me.

How can there be so much pain and violence?
Will it never end?
Will we never learn?
Receive the emotions that churn around me
when I open myself to such questions.
Listen to my heartfelt please for peace, for justice.

May I listen today with all of creation
for the joy and life at the heart of all being.
May this rhythm sustain me through the today.
May your song carry me;
the praise that underpins all of creation
delight my heart
and allow my voice to join with my ancestors,
my sisters and brothers
and all creation,
as we seek justice for all.

Amen.

Pray for BIG Alpha

2 Chronicles 6 verses 12-21

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Now he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.
14 He said: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 15 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

16 “Now, Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me according to my law, as you have done.’ 17 And now, Lord, the God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.

18 “But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 19 Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 20 May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 21 Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.