Lord God
we praise and bless you for the rules which govern nature
rules which allow the orbits of planets to be predicted
rules which bring into being the turning of the seasons
rules which allow for times of planting and times of reaping
these are rules set in the very fibre of the universe, rules we barely think about
Sovereign Lord
we praise you for the law you gave to Moses
10 commands to give right living
with you, with others
we thank you for the rules, the laws, the commandments which bring life
where we are pleased at our neighbour and our enemies having beautiful things
where we respect all human life, even the life of those who hate us
where we respect others, where we are listened to and valued as parents, grandparents
all bring life
we praise you for this
Christ our King
you came to show us life, life in all its fullness
we thank you for this gift, where the law of Moses was fulfilled
for all people, in all times, in all places
we recall before you those who live by rules which bring death
death to others, death to relationships
those who value the right to own guns above the right to life of others
those who have cheated on their wives or husbands
those who have lied about their neighbours
may they turn from their ways
may they seek forgiveness
may they realise their way takes away dignity, takes away life
Holy Spirit
Guide us, as your people, in this place
to be examples of how God’s laws bring life
to be witnesses of truth and grace and love
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen