We give thanks with grateful hearts, Lord God, for the gifts you generously pour out on us
the gift of love, from family and friends
the gift of home, a refuge from the world, a place of safety and comfort
the gift of faith, which inexplicably gives us the reassurance of your unconditional love for us
our cups run over, with your blessings.
As they run over, may they bless those around us
who feel unloved,
who know no home, no place of safety and security
who are doubters of your never ending goodness due to their circumstances or because of what they see going on in your world
We give thanks with grateful hearts, Lord God for this church in this place
a community of faith, a family united as brothers and sisters through Jesus Christ, our Lord, our brother
and united to all our brothers and sisters throughout the world
We are blessed to worship together free from fear or persecution and we give thanks for that, Eternal God.
We recall those who do not have that freedom.
Those in North Korea, where Christianity is banned
Those in Iraq, who are tortured by ISIS for not renouncing their faith in you
Those in South Sudan, who seem forgotten by the world
We cry in pain and anguish that members of our church family suffer as they do.
Sustain them in your love, Lord God,
comfort them in their fear, Christ Jesus
support them in their faith, Holy Ghost
God of Justice
we thank you for all who work for justice in our land
police officers, sheriffs, judges, lawyers, court clerks and procurator fiscals
may they always act with fairness, with honesty, with good judgement and mercy
and may we, too, work for justice in our land
the justice you long for all to know
where the poor are fed
the homeless homed
the ill cared for
and the mournful comforted
Lord God
in your mercy, hear these our prayers, spoken and written on our hearts
Amen