Eternity began in your breath, O God
your word spoken into the abyss
formed the light, the sky, seas and rivers.
Your word spoken into the universe
formed plants and animals, on land and in the sea
an abundance we are yet to have fully explored
Your word spoken into the universe
formed stars and galaxies, moon and sun
by which we can measure time, days, weeks, seasons
Your word spoken into the universe
made humanity in your image, male and female
and you entrusted us with your wonderfully made world
Lord God,
Who are we that we deserve such treatment?
Who are we that you have granted us the knowledge to come to know you, to love you
and through that knowledge, come this hour
to worship you with all we are
bless us in your presence with us, in and through your holy spirit
guide our thoughts and open our hearts and minds to you will for our church, our homes, your world
may our prayers, our songs, our meditation on your word be sincere, joyous, the best we can give
not merely this hour, but every day of our lives
for all we have comes from you
and sometimes our live are a pale reflection of the image of God which is contained within us all
we fail to look after ourselves, spending so much time looking after others we become tired and worn out
we fail to see the outsider, the stranger, the foreigner as also made in the image of God
we fail to truly look after your world
In the quiet, we pause to reflect on our failings
Lord God,
remind us we are made in your image, and set free from these burdens of guilt, fear and sin, so we may fully reflect your image within us, through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen