A Prayer for Today

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who grants us light, sustains us in life and guides us in the ways of holiness.

On a day when peaceful celebration has been distorted through acts of violence and hatred, we pray for those who have died and been injured in the attack at Bondi beach at the beginning of Hanukkah.

Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Strengthen them and grant them peace.
Stand close to those who seek answers and with those tasked with understanding and responding to these acts of violence.

May the deep darkness of this day be met by responses of respect, compassion and solidarity as we continue to draw alongside our sisters and brothers of Jewish faith in our prayers.

We pray for an ending to all acts of religious or racially based hatred that we may dwell in your light and seek a world in which all may walk safely alongside their neighbour.
Amen.

Loving God, We give you thanks for those early Methodists who, “obsessed with salvation” and Spirit-filled, felt compelled to share with others the message of your transforming love and to demonstrate this good news in practical ways to the poor and needy. Lives were transformed as thousands believed.

Speak to us again, we pray; inspire us afresh, that members of congregations in the Methodist Church in Ireland may once again be compelled by the love of Christ to share the good news throughout the island of Ireland. Equip us by the power of the Spirit that we may not only be involved in practical and charitable action, but also be able to speak of the transforming love we have experienced. Amen.

Receive, O God, our sacrifice of praise; that of thanksgiving for your mercies, that of prayer for your grace, that of penitence for our sins, and that love for your love, being the only gift that you seek or desire.