A particularly warm welcome to
St Cuthbert Church and Home Prayer Group,
whether at Home or in Church.
This month we are praying for ‘Our Life’s Journey,’ yes, a tall order, but one which recognises our individual and complete dependence on God our Heavenly Father.
Our prayers will attempt to encompass the needs for our journey, our continuous requirement for redemption, and our defences against the snares of our world.
A verse of scripture found in Matthew (contemporary English version) chapter 5 verse 3 from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus says:
“3 God blesses those people who depend only on him They belong to the kingdom of heaven”![a]
Shall we commence our prayer time together with the prayer that Jesus taught us.
Our Father which art in heaven ,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. AMEN.
A prayer asking for God’s guidance based on Psalm 23.
The Lord is my pilot; I shall not drift, he lighteth me across the dark waters; he steereth me in the deep channels, he keepeth my log. He guideth me by the state of his holiness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I sail through amid the hungers and tempests of life, I shall fear no danger for thou art near me; thy love and thy care shelter me, thou preparest a harbour before me in the homeland of eternity; thou anointest the waves with oil; my ship ridest calmly. Surely sunlight and starlight shall favour me in the voyage I take, and I shall rest in the port of my God for ever. AMEN.
A prayer for times of uncertainty from Thomas Merton.
My Lord God I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me , I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will, does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, I will trust you always. Though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my peril alone. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Preparation for our Pilgrim’s journey, a prayer from Joyce Rupp.
Pilgrim God there is an exodus going on in my life, desert stretches, a vast land of questions.
Inside my head your promises tumble and turn . No pillar of cloud or fire by night that I can see. My heart hurts from leaving loved ones, and so much of the security that I have known . I try to give in to the stretching and the pain. It is hard, God, and I want to be settled, secure, safe, and sure. And I am feeling so full of a pilgrim’s fear and anxiety.
O God of the journey, lift me up, press me against your cheek. Let your great love hold me and create a deep trust in me. Then set me down, God of the journey. Take my hand in yours and guide me ever so gently across the new territory of my life. In Jesus’ name AMEN.
Asking for God’s leading on our journey a prayer from Clement of Alexandria.
Be kind to your little children, Lord. Be a gentle teacher, patient with our weakness and stupidity. And give us the strength and discernment to do what you tell us, and so grow in your likeness.
May we all live in the peace that comes from you . May we journey towards your city, sailing through the waters of sin untouched by the waves borne serenely along by the Holy Spirit. Night and day may we give you praise and thanks, because you have shown us that all things belong to you, and all blessings are gifts from you. To you the essence of wisdom , the foundation of truth, be glory for evermore. AMEN.
Praying for our service to God from Canon Frank Colquoun.
Father may your Holy Spirit kindle in all our hearts a greater love for Christ and His Church and make us fully alive to the opportunities of service which are ours in today’s world.
Save us from complacency and fear of new ways , inspire us with the vision of the world won for you, and so stir our will to pray and work and give until your will is done in earth as in Heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
A prayer yearning for our salvation . From John Dunne.
Bring us O lord, at our last awakening into the house and gate of Heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light. No noise nor silence , but one equal music, no fears nor hopes; but one equal possession.
No ends or beginnings, but one equal eternity in the habitations of your glory and dominion; world without end. AMEN.
The hope of redemption and eternity, a prayer from Saint Bonaventure.
To thee O Jesus do I turn my true and last end. Thou art the river of life which alone can satisfy my thirst. Without thee all else is barren and void. Without all else, thou alone art enough me.
Thou art the Redeemer of those who are lost, the sweet Consoler of the sorrowful; the crown of glory for the victors; the recompense of the blessed.
One day I hope to receive of thy fullness, and to sing the song of praise in my true home.
Give me only on earth some few drops of consolation, and I will patiently wait thy coming that I may enter into the joy of my Lord. AMEN.
A prayer for defence against the temptations and difficulties of life from Thomas a Kempis.
Write thy blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraved; that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from thy love. Be thou to me a strong tower of defence, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble; and a guide to Heaven through the many dangers and temptations of this life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.
A prayer for our spiritual safeguarding from David Adam.
Circle me, Lord . Keep protection near and danger afar.
Circle me Lord, keep hope within, keep doubt without.
Circle me, Lord. Keep light near, and darkness afar.
Circle me Lord, keep peace within, and evil out. AMEN.
A prayer for our life’s journey attributed to John Henry Newman.
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed , the fever of life is over, and work done. Then, Lord, in thy mercy grant us safe lodging, and holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Our own silent prayer
Shall we say the Grace.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Thank you for being with us whether at home or in Church, and so contributing to our prayers for ‘Our Life’s Journey..’
Roger.
Our next Church and Home prayer group meeting will be advertised on our website and in our church magazine.
We would very warmly welcome your support.
After the prayer meeting in church, there is a short Holy Communion service which begins at 10.30am and lasts about half an hour. There is no pressure to stay, but you would be most welcome! There is also the added bonus of coffee and fellowship in a local cafe after the Holy Communion service!
