Lord God
for your generous provision, we give you thanks
for full bellies, homes and clothes, we give you thanks
for the opportunity to worship, we give you thanks
for the assurance that even the great King David strayed terribly from your path, we give you thanks
teach us to always try to be thankful for all the good, which comes into our lives, no matter how insignificant it might be
for, finding those moments of goodness, of joy can be the very times, in the midst of pain and suffering, we can feel you closest
as we draw close to you in thanks, may we draw close to those in your world who need our prayers and support
Those in positions of power who struggle to control the urge to abuse their power
Women who have been defiled by men
children unwanted by their fathers
those in jobs or roles where the laws and orders they are to implement are unjust
those who stand up to authority and say ‘No’
those who will not break rules to allow powerful people to cover-up their mistakes
those who devote themselves to the service of others
those who stand with the oppressed, no matter the cost
those who love God more than their lives
those who have witnessed to us through their actions
those who mourn, for the powerful have taken their loved one away
those who challenge us to be better people
those who show us how to follow Christ as we should
those in our communities of faith who are not with us this day
[pause]
Lord God
we offer these our prayers, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord
be with all those whom we have prayed for and be with us as we endeavour to love you with our whole heart, soul and mind and love our neighbour as ourselves
Amen