Lord God
How can we thank you for all you have done for us?
There is so much we sometimes loose sight of the small things which matter so much
watching children play in puddles
seeing the signs of new life breaking forth from branch and soil
noticing the warm smile of the stranger in the shop
may we each day try to see the kindness, beauty and love in the ordinary and everyday of our lives
and give thanks to you with grateful and contrite hearts
With sadness, we recall before you those who cannot see such small things as these as worthy of thanks
their hearts have been hardened through a constant battle to make ends met and failing
their hearts have been hardened by seeing the poorest and most vulnerable in our society suffer from austerity the most
their hearts have been hardened because they are constantly criticised
Lord God
in your infinite goodness, faithfulness and graciousness come to all whose hearts are hardened
soften them that they may be open to your love
and make us go to those in this church, our neighbours, our friends
and the communities in which we live
to make a difference to those who we know are struggling
those whose hearts are becoming hardened
Lord God
we praise and thank you we are your handiwork,
made good in your image
to reflect your love into your world
through your goodness, faithfulness, graciousness
may our faith be enriched that we may go to do good works in Christ
assist us to show others they are good
for all people are made good in the image of God
all people are fundamentally good
loved and cherished by others, by their families
by their friends, by God
We know there are many people, especially young people in our land, who do not feel loved or cherished by anyone
we grieve they feel this way
we cry out to your Lord God to help us to show them how much they are loved, cherished, important
to us, to those who love them, to you our God, their God
[Pause]
Christ Jesus
we praise and thank you that when we look to you, we may live
give us strength and courage to no matter what the world throws at us, no matter what others say or do against us
to trust in the love of God revealed through the cross of Christ
and to know through it we all shall live
Amen