Let us pray that the pilot light of God’s loving presence may fire up our hearts and transform us by the knowledge of divine glory.
A light may lit. It would be appropriate if it were set down in soil as the following prayer is said by all:
We take refuge in God’s earthing in flesh;
immersion in death;
rising to Life.
We take root in the Love of God;
the Good News of Christ;
the prayers of the faithful.
As we hear the scriptures read, may they lead us to the Christ. And may we find in Jesus the fulfilment of all our searching.
Psalms and readings. Then a time of quiet and/or shared reflection …
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
And do it. 1
Jesus calls us to continue to follow him.
…
Lord Christ Jesus, we hear your call.
To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We believe and know you are the Holy One of God. 2
A collect may be said …
A Song of the Cosmic Christ may be said or sung together.
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For in Christ all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;
all things are created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,
so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.3
Hallowed be your name, in the Beloved by the Spirit;
as in the beginning, so now and for ever. Amen.
Be exalted O God, above the heavens
Your glory is throughout the earth.
Your loving-kindness is higher than the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 4
…expressions of praise and thanks may be made silently or aloud …
Our God in heaven, father and mother to us,
Hope of creation, Fulfilling the promise of the ages
Hallowed be your name!
In a world needing wisdom to read its own stars, faithful God,
glorify your name.
Among those who are excluded and held at the margins, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In lifting up the lowly and filling the hungry with good things, faithful God,
glorify your name
In the search for meaning and fullness of life, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In the naming and framing of new knowledge, faithful God,
glorify your name.
In serving and keeping the earth, faithful God,
glorify your name
In resistance to pollution, exploitation and extinction, faithful God,
glorify your name
Other petitions, intercessions or biddings. Daily praycrs for environmental concerns, Other prayer suggestions for climate and environment related matters …
In meek pursuit of God’s just and gentle ways, we find ourselves in need of means and sustenance.
Pause to recognise our needs.
As you provide for us, sustain us and equip us to serve you, faithful God,
glorify your name.
Yet our ways have too often not followed after God’s wisdom, and we have polluted God’s priorities.
… Pause to bring our wrongs repentantly to God…
As we turn from our sins and turn to Christ this day
faithful God,
glorify your name.
And we have failed to extend to others the forgiveness and forbearance we ourselves enjoy and rely upon.
… we recall before God any grudges or vengefulness we harbour …
As we forgo our claims on others for revenge. and recompense for wrongs, faithful God,
glorify your name.
As we seek to be guided by the star of Christ’s coming and be faithful to our baptism, let us reflect on what challenges to our faithfulness and integrity the coming hours may bring, and pause respectfully before the many unknowns of our future.
Pause for recollection.
Today into our lives we weave
The ways of God with the air we breathe.
Facing trials of earth’s distress
We join with God to mend and bless.
When we pass through joyful things
We make to God our thanksgivings.
All who in body or mind we meet
may God through us both touch and greet.
In every task and deed that’s done
We weave the purpose of the Son.5
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1 Luke 11:28
2 John 6:68
3 From Colossians 1:16ff
4 Psalm 57:5,10
5 Responsary © (cc) 2023, based on an earlier version from 2015 both written by Andii Bowsher
Book of Our Common Prayer 