Lord God
Our Father, Father of All Creation
We bless and praise you that we are able to enjoy nature all around us
in the song of blackbird
in the dance of dolphin
in the movement of the sea
we thank you for those who work the land and sea
enabling humanity and nature to live and flourish
we recall those in your world who have never heard the songbird sing
who live in crowded cities, with little access to clean water or air, whose greatest desire is simply to breathe freely
We pray for governments, local, national and international to enact legislation which looks after creation, for us, for your world and for the future of your earth
and we pray for our selves
assist us care for your world
that all your people may find in it a blessing
and a thriving livelihood
[pause]
Calling Christ
we bless you that you call us to be born again
born to live as kingdom people
born to live as though God really is in charge of all the earth
be with those who go to strange places, different lands for the sake of your gospel
missionaries, aid workers, teachers
and all who live to bless others in their day-to-day lives and work
called to serve you in unfamiliar places, far from home, friends, familiarity
surround them in your love and guide them through the holy spirit to point to you as the one through whom the whole world is saved
Journeying Jesus
as we travel with you this Lent to Jerusalem
we thank you for the journeys we like to take
visits to see family
holidays with those we love
walks with dogs in the forests and hills
these are journeys we chose to take
filled with adventure, fun, love
we recall, Lord God, there are journeys people have to take which they would chose not to take
wives visiting gravely ill husbands in hospitals
parents visiting schools to discuss their child’s bullying
refugees fleeing war
cancer patients going for chemo and radiotherapy
children visiting the graveside of a dearly loved parent
Comfort them, Lord God
and may they know, in these journeys you are with them, supporting them, loving them
through Christ our Lord
Amen