Thanksgiving and intercession prayer 19 February 2023

From lofty mountain grandeur

we can see for miles on a clear day

but when the cloud descends

we lose our bearings

become disorientated

become fearful

lift the cloud, Lord God

where our way to the valley is unclear

lift the cloud, Lord God

that we may better visualise your world

as it should and could be, rather than as it is

that we may set aside our own needs, our own desires, where they are not aligned with yours

praise and thanksgiving we bring

that we can experience you, God

wherever we are

assist us to not overlook the simplicity of the everyday

and to not cling too much to creating shelters for you in hard to reach places

we are grateful for mountain rescue teams, who assist in all weathers, those who’ve become unwell and disorientated

may they be blessed in their work

we are grateful for those who have born witness to the power and coming of the Lord Jesus

from generation to generation, leading others to Christ

Christ Jesus

looking at the world from loft mountain grandeur

the flaws can be harder to see

help us to be grateful for the positives we have

children being able to go freely to school

buildings which are safe

clean water and beaches

access to health care

the ability to express our opinions without fear of imprisonment or worse

help us to remember how fortunate we are, for in the midst of change and uncertainty, it can be easy to focus on the negatives

God of justice and compassion

may the world know your way, your path, your love

we think of the girls and women in Afghanistan and Iran, their lives more and more controlled and restricted

of protesters in Myanmar, standing against the ruling military leaders, despite the cost

those who are lonely, isolated, feeling unloved and unwanted

God of power and change

thank you, once again, for revealing yourself to us, and the world in Jesus

help us, with our siblings in Christ across the world, to be a light shining in the darkest of places

a light which is the light of Christ

illuminated through the power of the spirit in each one of us

Amen