Opening prayer 14 August 2016

Lord God

The one who presides over the great assembly

of saints from age to age,

east and west,

north and south

all who are blessed to be in your presence

and to continually offer their praises to the one who sits on the throne

we honour you,

we worship you,

we adore you

in this hour, on this day as we bring our full devotion to you

may our songs, our prayers, our reflection on your word waft up to heaven, as delightful fragrance,

to mingle with the praise and prayers of the great assembly of saints

that together, we may join, through your Holy Spirit, with the faithful of every age and our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout your world

that collectively, all we offer may praise your holy name for the whole of eternity

[pause]

Eternal Christ

you are the vine and we are your branches

you give us all good things to be fruitful in your name

your love, guidance and protection in all good things

however we fail to listen to those around us

and to you

we give up too easily when trouble besets us

we neglect to keep our eyes firmly on you, Christ Jesus, as our guide, our saviour, our Lord

assist us always, to fix our eyes on you,

and to throw off all which hinders us following the path you lead us on

knowing we have been forgiven of all our sins once and forever

Amen