The day begins and many ways open up to us
Places we can go, people we can see, things we can do.
But on this day followers of Jesus feel the pull of Your Spirit.
Our minds have become fixed on Him and we have chosen to be in this place in anticipation of good things filling our lives.
We open up our hearts to:
The fellowship the Spirit creates for us;
The fulfilment of Jesus’ promise that He is present in our midst;
The assurance that from Him flows forgiveness for our sins, strength for the challenges of this day, and hope for the unknown days that lie ahead.
We join with the ancient people of Israel who gathered with confidence that despite the shadows that might fall on their lives good things await those whose hearts a
re turned to God.
We join with the early Christian communities whose hearts were so focussed on the sacrifice of Jesus that they knew that nothing would hinder the flow of love from the heart of God the Father.
We join with brothers and sisters throughout the world who wait in expectation for Your Voice to speak to us in the depths and for Your Spirit to take us forward and to energise us in the building of Your Kingdom.
Father, you have set before us the eternal example of self-giving in Jesus Your Son and we praise You today that this has brought us forgiveness, renewal and the promise of a place in Your eternal Kingdom.
We praise you for those we know who have reflected this self-giving in their lives and have been a blessing to us in practical help, encouraging words and prayerful support.
We praise you especially for those who are now beyond our sight, our touch and our call but who have so much for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in their time.
May Your Church throughout the world be a giving people, offering time, talents and money to make known the story of Jesus and the transformative power of His love.
May the nations of the world who can afford to give show a new generosity to those whose homes have been destroyed, to those who cannot feed their families, to those denied justice.
May our own nation benefit from the Christian witness that continues in our midst so that laws and institutions may be shaped according to Your will.
May those whose health is failing, whose employment is threatened, whose finances are strained, whose care for a loved one has become overwhelming - may all of those receive what is needed to renew hope and faith.
May those within our families and amongst our friends be blessed, kept safe, and aware of the love of Jesus which no circumstance can erase.
