Eternal Father
blessing and praise and honour are yours
for in your infinite wisdom, you granted us the freedom to chose our own way
our own way of expressing ourselves, of leading our lives
our own way of coming to know you
our own way of bearing your image which we are endowed with
looking around your world, bearers of your image are spread across the continents
drawn from different cultures, backgrounds, faiths
all finding their source in you
though they may not know of the beauty within
There are those who are belittled, undermined in confidence day after day, and they stop believing in themselves, let alone in you
there are those who are judged for the part of town they come from, the job they do, the position they have in society, and they stop believing in themselves, let alone you
there are those who are seen as lesser people, for crimes they have committed, for diseases they carry, for problems they may have with alcohol or drugs, and they stop believing in themselves, let alone you
[pause]
Yet, all in all, they and all your people bear your image, Lord God
may we always seek to see you within everyone we see, in person, in our newspapers, in out televisions
may your church reflect your glory into the world, and help those who fail to see your image within each person to see the divine spark
Creator God
we bless and thank you for the wondrous diversity of life around us, which fills our landscape with life and birdsong and trees and crops for us to delight in and, for some of us and in this community, which provides income
though farming, tourism, woodland management among others
grant contentment in work to all who are employed in these sectors, fair employers and fair weather, on which these businesses are so reliant
Creative Lord
your world is expressed in the artistry of painters, weavers, potters
they express your world in ways which open our minds in new and exciting ways
your image is reflected in these works of art, as you have moulded the heavens and the earth, and moulded each one of us
for this we thank you
grant us time and patience to seek your face in the creative arts, in the wildness of the land, in the ripples over the sea
stir our lives to see your spirit in the world more and more
open our minds to know your love more and more
shown in your perfectly formed image, Jesus Christ your son, our Lord, in whom and through whom all things were made
Amen