Lord God
Heavenly Father
to you be all praise
thanksgiving
gratitude
for all you offer us
this place where we can worship
the lengthening of days
blue skies and clean, gushing water
friends with whom we can laugh, play, cry
who support us through bad times and good
those who message or phone to offer thanks and encouragement
in the small and big things we do in our daily journey with you
Journeying One
as we begin our Lenten pilgrimage
led us as you will
assist us to prepare our hearts and minds
to be more reflective of the Way of Christ
we thank you, in his humanity
he knows temptation
understands its allure
understands how hard it can be to resist
in these times of great uncertainty
for your church in Scotland
and for your world
we thank you that through the spirit we are assisted to resist temptation
fill us more with that power, this Lent, we pray
As we bring our thanks, it is right and proper we bring our concerns for the world, for ourselves, for our communities before the throne of grace
for those who wage war, because of the temptation of power
we pray
Lord in your mercy, we pray
for those who broker for peace
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
for countries who open their borders to refuges
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
for those taking food, clothing, medicine to those in need
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
for those holding the hands of the dying
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
for those who are taken in by fake news and half truths
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
for those who are tempted, through addiction
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
for those who support addicts
we pray
Lord, in your mercy, we pray
And Lord, in the quietness of this place
we pause
to bring the people, places and situations which are in our hearts and minds, but for which we cannot find the word
[pause]
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers
spoken and unspoken
offered through Christ Jesus
Amen