#MorningPrayer
Grant, Lord,
that our hearts
may be so attuned
to your heart,
our thoughts
so aligned
with your thoughts,
that we might naturally
offer to others
dignity, respect,
justice and love,
in life and in death.
May our lives
reveal the truth,
that your love
overcomes all.
#MorningPrayer
On the cross, Lord,
you suffered separation
so that we never have to;
as the curtain
of the Temple was torn,
then when the Spirit came,
you chose to be with us,
to dwell within us.
Inspire us to seek, to grow,
strong relationships
with others
as we share
your love.
#MorningPrayer
Save us, Lord,
from our human
propensity
and predilection
to reject, to mock,
to condemn, to destroy
that which we
do not comprehend;
give us instead
a thirst to understand,
to seek relationship
and the wisdom
that comes from
remaining open
to the other
and to you.
#MorningPrayer
Strengthen our
hearts and minds, Lord,
that we may resist
having our attitudes
turned away
from the principles
of your kingdom
by those with
their own interests at heart,
their own purposes in mind.
Give us courage
to stand for truth and justice,
not to walk on by.
#MorningPrayer
Teach us, Lord,
to seek your healing;
not the mere fix
of an outward cure,
but the inner healing
of your peace,
your shalom,
bringing us to
a wholeness of life
which is manifest
in all we are, say, and do,
and which draws many
towards you,
your kingdom,
your love.
#MorningPrayer
Remind us, Lord,
of our propensity
to take matters
into our own hands,
our own understanding,
our own strength,
our own time,
rather than relying
on your guidance,
your wisdom,
your will.
Keep us in your way,
but when we falter,
reassure us
that your love
does not.
#MorningPrayer
So inspire us, Lord,
in the way we live our lives,
in the decisions we make,
in the things we choose to say
and the things we choose to do,
in the attitudes we hold
and the impressions we give,
that the accent of our lives
gives us away to others
as your disciples.
#MorningPrayer
Hold our focus, Lord,
on the source
of our identity, our confidence,
our salvation, our belonging;
hold our focus on you,
that we may never
seek those blessings
from elsewhere,
from our own efforts,
from others,
from worldly
wealth or systems.
Keep our gaze on you.
#MorningPrayer
Keep us, Lord,
diligent and faithful
in our prayer life;
teach us that
time spent with you
is well invested.
Help us to be open
to your guiding spirit,
to your call and your will,
wherever you may lead us.
If our strength begins to fail,
remind us that yours won’t.
#MorningPrayer
All of us, Lord,
partake of the bread of life
by which you nourish us;
we all share in the blessings
of your kingdom;
we all offer our pledge
to stand with you
and serve you;
and we all will deny you.
Remind us
that you hold us in your love,
and will never deny us.
#MorningPrayer
Stir our hearts
and souls, Lord;
ignite our passion
for your kingdom,
inflame our desire
to serve you,
increase our boldness
in offering to you
all that we have
and all that we are.
Show us where best
we may honour you this day
by living out your love
for others.
#MorningPrayer
Remind us, Lord,
that our call is to become
more and more like you,
who became one of us
in our humanity
to lead us to your divinity;
not in order to condemn,
but to love.
Inspire us to live out your love,
to bring your light to others,
to share the life you offer.
#MorningPrayer
Lord,
give us the vision,
to see your image,
your likeness,
your presence,
in those around us,
and especially those
in need or distress.
Give us wisdom and strength
to respond to your call,
your challenge
always to respond
to one another
as we would respond
to you.
#MorningPrayer
You call us, Lord,
to be your people;
one body with many members,
each with our different gifts.
Remind us to be ourselves,
and to offer in your service
the gifts that we each have,
in all their variety,
for the flourishing
of your kingdom,
and the blessing of all.
#MorningPrayer
Hold our attention, Lord;
strengthen the stamina
of our souls,
that we may not be
fickle in our faith,
or distracted
from our discipleship
by the cares of life,
not grow lukewarm
in our loving
through laziness.
Keep us ever ready
to encounter you,
for you are near.
#MorningPrayer
Infuse our lives, Lord,
with the vitality
of your kingdom,
the freshness of new life,
that we may remain
always excited
by your presence, promises,
purposes and plans;
always fixing our eyes on you,
that we may not
be distracted
from your way,
your call,
your love.
#MorningPrayer
Keep us, Lord,
always alert
and attentive
to your presence
and activity
among us,
to your call
upon our lives;
help us to notice
the things
to which you
would have us
pay attention this day,
and keep us
from being distracted
by what is not of you
or your kingdom.
#MorningPrayer
You call us, Lord,
to be living stones
in the living Temple
of your kingdom;
shape us and hone us
that we may be
well fitted to our role,
and build us together
that we may stand firm
for your love, mercy,
justice and peace,
whatever the turmoil
in the world around.
#MorningPrayer
We thank you Lord
that you do not
simply accept us
or accommodate us
as your people,
but adopt us
as your family
and abide with us
that we may abide in you.
Inspire us to live this reality,
to be your body,
your living temple,
revealing your love
through our lives.
#MorningPrayer
Fill us Lord, with love;
fill every aspect of our being
with love for you.
As we heed your call
to share your love with the world,
help us truly to love others,
to be neighbours to all near or far,
and properly to love ourselves,
as we nurture our shared wellbeing.
#MorningPrayer
May we cultivate
in ourselves, Lord,
such an openness
to your Spirit, to your will,
that our own priorities
and intentions
are aligned with yours,
that our perspectives
and understanding
are in harmony with yours,
that our hearts are warmed
with your love for all.
#MorningPrayer
Lord,
may we receive with joy, every day,
your invitation to be your people,
to participate in your mission,
to inhabit your kingdom,
to be animated by your love.
May we live that love,
without presuming to control it,
that each may know
your invitation
is for all.
#MorningPrayer
Give us a passion, Lord,
for the things
of your kingdom,
and a desire
to both know and do
your will.
Save us
from looking inward,
from being driven
by those desires
which are merely
self-serving;
help us rather
to keep our focus on you,
to seek and follow
your way.
#MorningPrayer
Hold before us, Lord,
our vocation:
not merely
to be your people,
but also to bear fruit
for your kingdom,
to serve you
not only with our words
but also in our deeds,
in our choices,
in our priorities,
in our willingness
to follow your lead,
and to show your love.
#MorningPrayer
Free us, Lord,
from the prison of our own
preconceptions and prejudices,
that we might see and understand
what you are doing in our midst,
what your Spirit is saying to us,
where your light is leading us.
Save us from our own expectations
that we may embrace yours.
#MorningPrayer
Send your Spirit upon us. Lord,
and inspire our lives
to speak of you,
to point to you,
to reveal your love in us,
to show your presence with us.
In all that we do, say, and are,
may we point away from ourselves
and towards you,
that all may know you
and your love.
#MorningPrayer
Draw us to yourself, Lord,
by the light of your love;
may we remain open to that love
that your light may shine
in us, through us, and from us.
Direct our paths,
that in all our ways
we may manifest your glory,
reveal your kingdom,
and let your light shine
for all.
#MorningPrayer
Whatever separates us, Lord,
whether the distances
of geography
or the divisions we create,
open for us
the doors of connection
which remind us
that we are your family,
one body with many members;
that nothing can sever
the bonds of your love,
in which we are held.
#MorningPrayer
So fill us with your love, Lord,
that we are inspired and enabled
to become more like you;
compassionate, kind,
patient, forgiving.
Teach us your ways
of mercy and peace,
that we may live them
for the world,
building your peace
where there is
division and
discord.
#MorningPrayer
Fit us, Lord, for your kingdom;
take from our hearts and minds
all motivations of selfishness,
all drives based on
greed or jealousy,
on the lust for
power or possession.
Enable us to see past
difference and division,
to see as you see us;
to see you in each other.
#MorningPrayer
Deliver us, Lord,
from our passion
for self-indulgence,
from believing
that our position
must be yours,
that our own
perspectives
and preferences
give us an
understanding
of your will.
Keep us instead
open to your Spirit,
to being changed
by your wisdom,
your love.
#MorningPrayer
As we begin a new year, Lord,
we place our hands in yours,
that we might follow
your leading and guiding
in all we do.
As we journey onward,
help us find your paths
of peace and justice,
of mercy and truth,
of faith, hope and love,
that all may know
your blessings.