Prayer for the Day
A prayer that we might be instruments of God's praise
Ow, Fadda! Eternal Creator, the story of our relationship as revealed in Scripture with you begins with a hymn; a hymn of creation. Thank you for the reminder that chaos and darkness give way to order and beauty.
Thank you, God, that the rhythms of music are written deep in our spirits. Yet because “guilty feet have got no rhythm” we too often feel like we might never dance again the way we danced with you. We come to you now in the language of one prison programme, Changing Tunes, asking you to change, to shift the narrative of hopelessness often running around in our head.
Make us once again instruments of praise; instruments of worship! Retune us, glue our cracked pots with gold like in Kintsugi master craft; make us more valuable than we recognise. Although we may feel fit for the rubbish pile, you see us. You greet us – sawbona! You see… our past, our heritage, our people and you smile. Sit with us as we learn to sing again, show us how to sing in harmony with you. Nature’s harmony. Yes, Fadda. Amen.
Alternative Prayer for the Day
A prayer for purity of heart and strength of purpose
Grant us, O Lord, purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no passion may hinder us from knowing your will and no weakness from doing it. In your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for our obedience to God's will
Holy and unfathomable God, Blessed Trinity, by your grace you have called your people to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood. Draw us more deeply into the Paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, our Great High Priest, that our intercessory prayers for the world and all its people may be obedient to your divine will.
May the worship, fellowship and service of the Church faithfully proclaim the story of your redemptive purposes from the beginning of creation. Through our lives and by our prayers may your kingdom come, and all things be gathered into Christ. Amen.
David Chapman, Chair, Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District