Prayer for the Day
A prayer for Christian unity
God of mercy and compassion,
We give thanks for the continued presence of your Church
in its many different forms, expressions and traditions,
at the heart of local communities,
close to home, and all around the world.
May that presence be a source of hope, support and encouragement
in times of suffering and uncertainty,
offering welcome, hospitality and the joy of connection and belonging
to those who need it most.
Strengthen our commitment to the work of Christian unity so that together we can better serve a wounded world,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Alternative Prayer for the Day
A prayer for peace and truth
Living God, send the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ to bring peace in our conflicts, hope in our fears, trust in our divisions and truth in our shadows. Amen.
A prayer that God be our centre
In sorrow and in joy you meet us.
In despair and in hope,
feeling ignored or fully known.
Help each of us to do the same:
to weep with those who mourn,
to be alongside the wounded,
to reach out to all,
to listen and not be quick to move away.
In this moment – whoever, wherever, however we are –
be our centre, grounding us,
opening our hearts to your grace and bidding. Amen.
Kate Ellis, Anna Chaplain and local preacher, Epworth, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Circuit
Sunday 06 December 2009
"He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (v.3)
Luke 3:1-6