All praise and honour be yours and yours alone
Lord God
our heavenly King
Ruler of earth
and giver of life eternal
praise be to you for scripture
which points the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus the Son
praise be for the Scottish Bible Society
their translators, donors and workers
giving access to bibles across the world
in a language people can understand
praise be that we can access scripture in many translations, in book, online and app forms
praise be Lord God, for putting your law in our minds, and writing it on our hearts
that we can carry the law of love wherever we are
Loving Lord God
Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer
our hearts ache there are so many who do not want to hear your Word
who look to preachers who will say what they want to hear
rather than hearing the truth, the ultimate truth
of Jesus
his Way, his commands, his love
for all
we pray their hearts and minds may be softened
that they may know the great joy of the love and forgiveness you offer
As those who know that love and forgiveness
we thank you for those who came before us, passing the faith onto us
for those who have found healing and blessing
in times of trial and struggle
celebration and festivity
in the Church
and from those who follow Jesus
Christ Jesus
we pray for those who preach your path in their discreet actions, unseen by many
and known to you
may they continue your good work, even when faced with criticism
we thank you for those who have faithfully preached the gospel, from Paul and Timothy, right up to the here and now
may their wisdom deepen
that they may equip others for every good work of yours, God
empower us
and other you have called to yourself in Christ
to serve whether the time is right or wrong
for the world, when we look at the news, and our communities
is so in need of your grace and love
it is so much, we cannot find the words
so we pause, in the quiet of this place
to bring the people, places and situations which are on our hearts and in our minds today before the throne of grace
[pause]
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer
we offer all these prayers before you today
trusting you will respond to each one
and we are thankful for that blessing too.
Amen