Evening Prayer Sunday, 28 June 2020

Our Gospel reading this morning reminded us of the importance of hospitality, of welcoming strangers.
Jesus says that in so doing, we welcome God.

At present, we are not able to welcome strangers to our church in the way we have been used to.
So it is left to us as individuals to consider how best to interpret these verses in our new context.
Perhaps, in order to discover new ways for Cornerstone to become a place of welcome,
we need to respond to the earlier part of the reading
and ensure that we each make God welcome in our lives,
so that he can reveal his purpose for us and inspire us with new ways forward.

Let us pray:

God be in my head and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes and in my looking.
God be in my mouth and in my speaking.
God be in my heart and in my thinking.
God be in my end and at my departing.

We bring our whole selves to you, loving God.
Thank you for accepting each of us, just as we are.
But we are not content to be as we are.
We pray that you will help us to become the people you would want us to be.

Each of us has private concerns and private joys.

Let us remember before God those prayers we want to pray for ourselves
and those prayers we want to pray for those close to us.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We bring our church family to you, loving God.
Thank you for accepting us, just as we are, separated from one another, but one in you.
But we are not content to be as we are for the longer term.
We pray that, as restrictions are lifted,
you will help us to become the Church you would want us to be.

Thank you for the challenges and tasks you bring to us in this changing city and congregation.
We pray that we may find ways to continue to be open and accepting to all who come through our doors in the future.
We thank you for our clergy and for Mark, Simon and Woody,
who have continued to work for us in their different ways during the lockdown,
for other staff who have been furloughed
and volunteers who may have been missing the rewards of working in our building.
Guide them as they look to the future.
Help us all to use our imagination and creativity to explore new ways of being your Church and sharing your love in Milton Keynes.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for people who, in normal times, would have visited our building seeking practical or spiritual help.
We thank you that this week, our building has been open for private prayer.
And we pray now for all who have left prayers in the basket in our Chapel.
We ask that you will hear their prayers and meet the needs of all who come seeking help.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for members of our congregations who are sick, anxious, lonely or bereaved.
Be close to them, Loving God.
May they know that we all pray for them and support them at this difficult time.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We bring our country to you, loving God.
Thank you for accepting us, just as we are.
But we are not content with everything in our country.
We pray that you will show us how to help this country become the place you want it to be.
We pray for those who hold positions of authority, responsibility and power.
May they act with integrity and impartiality, showing insight into the needs of the whole community.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are lonely or isolated, bereaved or in pain, anxious or afraid.
We pray for all who live in stressful situations, those who are unemployed or whose jobs are insecure;
those whose relationships are breaking down or who suffer abuse or domestic violence.
We pray too for those who work for all charities which support causes we care about but cannot engage with directly.
Help us to give thoughtfully and prayerfully.

When we see people in need, whatever their difficulties,
we ask you to help us to recognise if there are ways in which we may bring comfort or support.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

 

We bring the wider world to you, loving God

Thank you for accepting us, just as we are

But we are not content that our world is as it is.

We pray that you will show us how to help the world become the place that you want it to be.

 

We pray for all those in our world who suffer from injustice:
For those who suffer from discrimination;
For those who are wrongfully imprisoned;
For those suffering from hunger and famine;
For those too weak to help themselves.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

And so we return to ourselves.
Develop in us a firm commitment to look to you for guidance
with hearts touched by your spirit and empowered to do your will.

We ask our prayers In the name of Christ

Amen

 

Let us conclude this evening’s prayer time by saying the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father in Heaven – hallowed be your name
Your Kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth, as in heaven.
Give us today, our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
The Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Lord,
now and for ever.

Amen

I pray that you will all have a restful night.