Let us pray:
Lord, there is so much that I don’t know, and I ask you to inspire me with a thirst for knowledge. I pray, too, for wisdom and understanding that I may use my knowledge well. I give thanks for many people I have never met whose knowledge and understanding have been passed on to me. I ask that I may benefit from their work and experience and may contribute, in turn, to the well-being of others. Amen |
January 5
Let us pray: Lord, I give thanks for the “gold” in my life: for the people who are precious to me, for the happy memories I treasure, and for all that has been good over the years. May all that has been “gold” for me, remind me always to appreciate all who are part of my life. Inspire me, Lord, to live in such a way that I help to bring out the best in others. Amen. |
January 6
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you call me to live every aspect of my life in your presence, and so I come before you as I am. With the myrrh that the wise men carried I bring, too, the pain and sorrow and suffering that I have experienced. I lay them before you because they are all part of who I am. I ask that good may come from whatever negative things happen to me, knowing that nothing can ever separate me from your love. Amen. |
January 7
Let us pray: Lord, as I offer you all that is ordinary and everyday in my life, I ask you to give me the power of your Spirit that I may transform each day by living with a positive attitude, looking for the best in people and situations. Inspire me to live in your presence every day so that I may share your outlook and do the ordinary things of life in an extraordinary way. May this, Lord, my prayer today, rise before you like the burning of incense. Amen. There is a saying: “Wise men followed Jesus. People who are wise still do.” |
January 8
Let us pray: Lord God, may all of your creation - from the vastness of mighty planets and stars to the lowliness of the smallest living creature I can see - remind me to live in wonder and appreciation of all that is around me. Amen. |
Let us pray:
Lord, give us each day the wisdom to recognise which things are important, and which things are not. Show us how best to use the time and talents you have given us. Help us to use all opportunities wisely that we may give in service to others the good gifts we have received from you. Amen. |
Let us pray:
Commemorative stamps, Lord, call to mind famous people, sport and inventions, and nature, art and history. As I value what these images represent, lead me particularly, Lord, to value every individual person - made as we all are in your image and likeness. Inspire me to show appreciation to all who are a part of my life. May I use well all the opportunities that come my way to make my part of the world a better place. Amen. |
Let us pray
for all who will be making journeys today: We pray, Lord, - for those who are going to a new job and for those who are going to work for the last time today; - for the emergency services who will travel at high speed on land, water or in the air, to bring help to others; - for those starting a new life as they move house; - for those travelling to or from prison; - for people who will go into hospital today; - for young people on their way to school, college and university; - for those who are lost on the journey of life; - for those who will die today and make their final journey. On all these people we ask your blessing, Lord. Amen. |
Let us pray:
We pray, Lord, for all who will need strength and courage in the day ahead: - for those who face danger; - for those who risk themselves for others; - for those who must make an important decision today; - for people who are seriously ill; - for those facing persecution or torture. We ask you, Lord, to give them the power of your Spirit. Amen. |
Let us pray:
Lord our God, may the playing and the watching of sport remind me of the qualities I need for living: developing skills and talents, appreciating the different skills that others have, learning to co-operate with others, being positive, having respect for others, being determined and committed, having a clear goal at which to aim. Inspire me to work hard at developing these qualities in daily life so that each of us - working together - may help to build up your Kingdom. Amen. |
1 Albert Schweitzer was born on this day
in 1865. He became a world-famous organist and author, and sacrificed a comfortable life in France and Germany to be a missionary doctor. In Africa he set up a hospital and leper-colony for the very poor. 2 He encouraged others to share his “reverence for life”, growing in compassion for life in all its forms. He wrote: “By having reverence for life, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the world.” He helped lead others to see that, with love and compassion and respect for all life, people would find a greater meaning in their lives. In 1952 Doctor Albert Schweitzer was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 3 We can use a short prayer of his today - a prayer of offering. It’s the kind of prayer some people memorise and use from time to time: 4 “Here, Lord, is my life. I place it on the altar today. Use my life as you will." |
Let us pray:
Father, may our human family not become separated from you by building barriers of race or colour, of religion or class. Inspire us to recognise that we are all made in your image and likeness, so that we may grow in appreciation of all people, and encourage each other to grow in pride in who we are and who we are called to be. May we recognise your Son in our midst, and live truly as brothers and sisters. Amen. |
For our prayer today we will use words that
are based on an ancient Chinese blessing: May God guard us and keep us in safety and comfort and in health and strength, sending us nothing but good. May God send down so many blessings that the day is not long enough for them all. Amen. |
Let us pray:
Father, I ask you to help me to be generous when I think of the attitude and actions of others. Forgiving someone isn’t an easy option, and I know that forgiveness isn’t somehow pretending that something wrong hasn’t happened. For what I have done wrong, forgive me Father, to the extent that I am generous in forgiving - or hoping to forgive - those who have done wrong to me. Amen. |
1 Today sees the start of the Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity. 2 Pope John XXIII (the twenty-third) was Pope in the early 1960s and he did a lot for world peace at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis that almost became World War III. He is also well-known for being very keen to bring closer together Christians of different churches. He said: “In essential things - unity; in unimportant things - freedom; in all things - charity.” 3 The end of Church Unity Week on the 25th is the anniversary (in 1959) of the announcement by Pope John that he would call together all the Catholic bishops across the world to look at bringing the Church up-to-date, “to let in some air and blow away the dust”. That meeting would be called “The Second Vatican Council” 4 Pope John wrote a prayer which we will make our own today: “Renew in our own days your miracles like a second Pentecost. Grant that the Church, re-united in prayer, may extend the kingdom of Jesus - a kingdom of truth and justice, of love and peace. Amen.” |
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