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 the ushering in of God's kingdom
Hope does not disappoint: Spes non confundit (Romans 5:5)
Let us pray for all
Pilgrims of Hope
What do we sing?
Alleluia!
When do we sing it?
Beaten
Fastened to the stocks
Yet, singing hymns to God at midnight (Acts 16:22)
Thank God we arrived here
But the door is firmly shut
And we are at the end of our tether
Jesus Christ, you proclaimed
The jubilee year of the Lord
Liberty to the oppressed (Luke 4:18-20)
You said you are the door (John 10:9-16)
We rejoice and sing for joy as
A door shall be opened to the excluded (Luke 6:22)
You blessed the poor of the earth
Bring it on, Lord: an earthquake
Shaking the foundations
And ushering in your kingdom
When do we want it?
Now(!) and forever. Amen.
Reynaldo Ferreira Leão Neto (Léo), General Secretary, World Methodist Council
Saturday 03 December 2016
“Over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.” (vv. 5-6)
Isaiah 4:2-6Do you find prayer easy or hard?
An introduction to the Sunshine and Showers prayer course