(NB This prayer was used in a care home service)
Eternal God
the glory of this day reminds us of the beauty of your creation
made in your love, by your love, very good in your love
we praise you for your creation
as autumn hues replace summer tones
as dark nights allow us to glimpse the stars more clearly
as the early morning mist gathers in pockets on the hillsides
all remind us of your glory
which we praise and thank you for
Providing Lord
we bless you for all you have given us each day of our lives
family and friends, with whom we built our lives and hold them in our hearts, even if they are no longer at our sides
the places we have lived and worked, all shaping us to the people we are today
the place we live now, where we are cared for, loved
your blessings to us are amazing.
May we, in this place, be a blessing to those around us
those we eat with, those we sit next to, those who care for us
be with all the staff here, guide their work and may they know they are valued by us and our families for all they do for us.
Gracious God
Nothing is too big or too hard for you
for you are all in all
but we struggle to understand why hospitals are bombed in Aleppo
why young lives are snatched away too soon, due to disease, famine, war
why those in power speak words which bring distress and discomfort to us as to those to whom those words are directed
we do not know what we can do to change these situations
we feel so helpless, so unable to understand what we can possibly offer to help
so, in faith and trust that all things will be made new in and through Jesus Christ our Lord
we offer these and all the things which concern us before you
knowing you hear each prayer, understand each need, and love each person
Amen