Prayers for Living

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
you created light
and all that we can see.
Show us how to grow
in a sense of wonder
that we may “really see”
and appreciate
all the beauty that is around us.
Lead us to discover
how inter-connected
are so many things in life
and how inter-woven
with your presence.
May the coming into our world
of Jesus, your Son,
- who lived fully as a human being -
remind us that we are all called
to be at-one with you.
Show us how to transform
all that might be ordinary
in our daily lives
and, through your Spirit,
become more fully alive,
to your greater glory. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
as we prepare to celebrate
the gift of yourself
to our world,
we think too of our loved ones,
remembering that you said
that there is “more joy in giving
than in receiving.” Acts 2035
We ask you to bless us
and those we love.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
“Give us, O God, the vision
which can see your love in the world
in spite of human failure.
Give us the faith, the trust,
and the goodness
in spite of our ignorance
and weakness.
Give us the knowledge
that we may continue to pray
with understanding hearts,
and show us
what each one of us can do
to set forth
the coming of the day
of universal peace.
Amen.”

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
God our loving Father,
our governments
spend money in our name
to subsidise farmers to “set aside”
good agricultural land
so that less food is produced.
Some potatoes and other good crops
are sprayed with dyes
to make them unfit
for human consumption,
and it is policy
to destroy good harvests
of fruit and vegetables
Yet our brothers and sisters
go hungry and die
across the world.
Lead us to grow
in valuing the dignity
of all people,
as well as in respect
for the fruit of the earth
and the work of human hands.
Inspire us to be of influence
in our own part of the world
so that injustices -wherever they exist may
be challenged,
and all people learn to grow together
as caring and responsible
brothers and sisters.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
may the simplicity of the birth
of Jesus, your Son,
remind us
that we can readily discover him
in the ordinariness of our daily lives.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

1 Let us pray:
In silence, Lord,
I place myself amongst all those
in many parts of the world
and in various circumstances
who are praying for peace
on this day,
as I, too, pray for peace

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray, using some words of Robert
Louis Stevenson:
“O God, our loving Father,
help us rightly to remember
the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in
the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wise men…
May Christmas morning
make us happy to be your children,
and Christmas evening
bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
Jesus, God-with-us,
what gift shall we bring to you?
The angels bring their song,
the heavens bring their star,
the shepherds bring their wonder,
the animals give their manger,
the wise men bring their gifts,
and we human beings
bring the Virgin-Mother.
We bring our whole selves to you
who have so fully and generously
given yourself to us.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
God, Father of us all,
you who call me by name: Is 431
you are my hiding-place,
my shelter, Ps 327
amidst life’s difficulties.
Remind me
that there is no pit, no hole, so deep
that your love
is not deeper still.
Lead me to give thanks
in all my circumstances, 1 Thess 518
and show me
how to transform
whatever suffering or difficulties
I may experience,
into something that will benefit others
and will set me free.
I make this prayer,
knowing that you
lavish your love on us 1 Jn 31
and you set
the down-trodden free. Is 611
; Lk 418
Amen

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
Father,
we remember before you
those who have been abused
in the womb, in childhood,
and in later life.
We bring before you
our brothers and sisters
throughout the world
who are victims
of injustice, prejudice
and persecution.
Lead us, Father,
and lead all people of good will
to do whatever we can
to help turn the hearts
of those who think themselves
better than others,
and who perpetrate evil.
Deliver us, Lord,
from all that is evil. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
Lord, inspire us
to be credible witnesses of your love,
and good shepherds
towards those
you have entrusted to our care.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
God our Father,
we pray for all families,
that members may feel encouraged
to live fully,
and may discover
the sanctity of human love
and the value of family life.
If times are troubled
through separation
or difficulties in relationships,
may people learn to be generous.
May we all learn
how to break the cycle
of whatever may be negative,
growing in understanding
and appreciation
and in love and respect. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

JANUARY

Because you are with me, Lord,
I can wait in patience and in hope
for the new life you bring.

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
at this time
we can look back to the old year,
and forward to the new.
We give thanks
for the blessings of the past year,
and we place into your hands
the mistakes we have made.
As you are “the Light of the world”,
take away the darkness in our lives.
As you are “the Way”,
lead us in the year ahead.
As you are “the gate of the sheepfold”,
protect us from danger.
We entrust the past to your mercy, Lord,
the present to your love,
and the future to your providence.
Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, light of the world,
open our eyes
to notice the magnificence
of creation.
Open our eyes
that we may always
value and appreciate
all who are part of our lives.
Open our eyes
that we may be quick to notice
when people are going through
difficulties.
Open our eyes
so that we may share your vision
and “really see”. Amen.

[MajestyJo]

Let us pray:
If the word “compassion”, Lord,
means “to suffer with”,
lead us to be ready
to stand beside those who suffer.
Amen.