Lord God Almighty
we praise and honour you for all you are
for coming to us, where we are
in our stillness
in our busyness
in our worry
in our pain
in our sorrow
and offering peace
the peace which comes from knowing you
from knowing you have felt all we feel
through coming to us as Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord
thank you for this offer of peace
feely offered
may we accept the peace you breathe into our souls
that it may put to death all which inhibits good living
fear, doubt, dread, hopelessness
in our lives and in the live of those you call us to serve
Today, we recall before you all those who were excited to celebrate Easter last week
excited to praise the Risen Christ
but pressures of work, of care for others have got in the way of that excitement turning to commitment
or the pressures of self-doubt, of fear that what they can offer is not enough for the one who has done so much for them
they will not listen when you ask them to do something for them
or as they think over the story of Easter, Jesus’ death and resurrection, they cannot tell others of this good news
for it is only a story
Lord, go and met them where they are
through us
through others
through your Holy Spirit
that they may see the Risen Christ in the lives
feeding their souls, hearts and minds with all good things
Risen Christ
we recall before you those from our community who we know are in need of our peace:
[specific names of those in the church community who are ill or struggling in other ways]
bless them with your love
comfort them with your goodness
and show us how to come into their lives and be bearers of your blessing, comfort and peace
Providing Jesus
you gave the disciples breakfast
and you attend to our physical needs to
for which we are grateful
use us, even the little we think we have to offer
to attend to the physical needs of those around us
giving food to the hungry
shelter to the homeless
clothes to the naked
water to the thirsty
save us from expecting others to do this
empower us to love as you loved
for through your love
Amen