Give thanks to God
for God is good
God keeps God’s promises
God
we thank you that, your promise to Abraham
has lasted
that we are the descendents more numerous than the stars in the sky
thank you for the faith of Abraham
for his example of trust
and knowing your grace
assist us, to also trust in your grace
no matter where you lead us
no matter how much you may ask of us
Give thanks to God
for God is good
God keeps God’s promises
God
we thank you for the church, the Body of Christ
for the people
for the faith shared and experienced
for the support
for the love which binds us
across boundaries of time and space
assist us to feel part of that body
wherever we are
we think today of those who are especially struggling by not being able to gather to worship
enter their hearts
ease their pain
bind their wounds
remind them you are with them, always
and grant to us grace to support and lead them through their suffering
Suffering Christ
in your life, you showed us the perfect way of following God the Father
we thank you for this example of trust
though we will never endure what you did
help us to be willing to sacrifice even our most precious things
knowing in that Amazing Grace you offer
we can know salvation and love beyond measure
as things change in our country
we recall those for whom this is an anxious time
cafe, pub and hotel owners, as they put in place measures to re-open, while trying to keep their staff safe
those who work for the NHS, anxious of a second spike in the virus
those who are working hard in research, for cures and vaccines
those who have been shielding, who are concerned they will be forgotten about
all who lead, as hard decisions are made
grant all your grace and peace
and, in a few moments of quiet, we bring the places, people and situations which lie heavy on our hearts this day
[pause]
All these prayers, spoken and written on our hearts we offer through Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with God the Father and Holy Spirit
One God, now and always
Amen