Prayers at Rushall Parish

For living water

Lord, we are drawn to your well
to seek the water of eternal life.
Refresh us with your Word.
Surround us with your Love.
And fill us to overflowing with your Spirit,
the water of life,
that we may never be thirsty.
Amen.

Previous Prayers

Facing Temptation

Jesus Christ, our wonderful Lord and Saviour,
who when tempted in the desert, resisted,
in the world, but not of the world:
we worship and adore you.
When tempted by bread, you chose the word of God.
When tempted to be spectacular, you chose humility.
When tempted by riches and power, you chose servanthood.
Lord Jesus Christ, we worship and adore you.
Amen.

As Lent begins

Transforming God,
we come to the foot of your cross
and say sorry when we don’t listen.
We are sorry when we miss you in the midst of our lives,
when we fail to glimpse you,
even when you are shining so bright before us.

We are sorry when we are afraid and don’t trust you,
when we fall asleep, absorbed in our own lives,
when we make our own conclusions and don’t involve you,
when we think we know best.
Help us to always seek refuge in you,
to be transformed by your brightness,
and draw closer to you.
Amen.

For all people

God of Life,
we pray for your people and your creation.
Where there is anxiety – bring calm.
Where there is cruelty – bring gentleness.
Where there is pollution – bring solutions.
Where there is displacement – bring belonging.
Where there is discrimination – bring justice.
Where there is complacency – bring urgency.
Where there is vulnerability – bring protection.
Where there is scarcity – bring abundance.
And wherever there is need – send us, use us and enable us to make a difference.
For the healing of the earth, and for the good of all.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

To live out our faith

Lord, open our eyes to those who need help.
Keep us from giving up
when it seems too difficult to help everyone.
Help us to remember that you renew and restore,
and let us be as salt and light in all the places around us.
Amen.

Candlemas

Lord Jesus Christ,
light of the nations and glory of Israel:
make your home among us,
and present us pure and holy
to your heavenly Father,
your God, and our God.

(The additional collect for the Presentation of Christ in the Temple)

For the journey of life and faith

Father God,
Thank you that you sent Jesus
who came to give us freedom through the cross.
You have called us to put down our ‘nets’ and follow you.
You have offered us new life in you –
a new path to follow, as a new light has dawned.
Thank you that you walk beside us on the journey,
the journey from darkness into your marvellous light.
Thank you that you offer us life full of adventure,
life in all its fullness.
Amen.

Second Sunday of Epiphany

Welcoming Lord,
thank you that you invite us to come and see.
You extended a warm welcome to us.
Thank you that you invite us to stay and eat with you.
Thank you that we can draw closer to you.
We worship you, O faithful one,
knowing that you have chosen us.
We are honoured in your sight,
and you have become our strength.
Amen.

At Epiphany

Creator of the heavens,
who led the Magi by a star
to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us,
that we may find our journey’s end
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is with us

God our Father,
in love you sent your Son
that the world may have life:
lead us to seek him among the outcast
and to find him in those in need,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Christmas - Emmanuel - God with us

Lord Jesus, we praise you that your birth transcends
all time and unites heaven and earth, past and present.
May we in response to your care for us reach out beyond our
comforts and privileges
and embrace the needs of all people,
that this Christmas may be a time of prayer and action
for the world’s poor and vulnerable, in whom your love was
fully revealed at Bethlehem.
Amen.

As Christmas approaches

We praise you, God of wisdom, for Mary and Joseph,
whom you chose to star in the astonishing events of Christ’s birth.
When our lives are overturned by the unexpected,
and you reach out to us in dreams,
grant us their love and courage,
that we may be open to your prompting and witness
as they were to the coming of your son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

For Ukraine

Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Prayers Rushall Parish