Prayers
on a theme of a Christian's calling
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you;
as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." John 20:21
(You might also want to see 'Called
to what?')
We have heard your glorious whisper
Almost silent, yet insistent
Breaking through the chatter
Of many voices
The clatter
Of background noises
The wind
The rain
Storm and hurricane
Through all of this
Your voice remains
Unchangeable
Cuts through to heart
And soul
Unmissable
'Come follow me
Pick up the Cross…
My burden is no burden at all
It is simply love
Poured out for you
And through you
Sustaining
Empowering …
Come follow me'
We are a chosen people
A family people
Chosen for love and to share love
Chosen for joy and to spread joy
Chosen for friendship and for befriending
Chosen for blessing and to bless
Chosen for fruitfulness
Chosen for harvest
We are a chosen people
A family people
Your family
Our family
(John 15:9-17)
Our paths may cross
in lonely desert spaces
or crowded city places
on mountain steep
or urban street
but our paths will cross
and you will offer
to lighten our load
walk our road
ethe pain
take the strain
Our paths shall cross
when you will call
and shall we turn
can we learn
to hear your voice
make the choice
Our paths will cross…
Our gain or loss
Make me a tree, Lord
Sturdy
Deep rooted
Useful
Support
to those in need
Shelter
to those who are weary
Fruit
for those who hunger
Make me a tree, Lord
Sturdy
Deep rooted
Useful
We have a call
To be loved
and to love
To be shown mercy
and to show mercy
To be forgiven
and to forgive
To receive hope
and to offer hope
To know joy
and share joy
To feel peace
and bring peace
To be made whole
and offer wholeness
We have a call
Listen...
Listen...
Do you hear?
Who do we follow...
A teacher?
You were a good teacher
Full of wisdom
A moral compass
Guidance
For the journey.
Who do we follow...
A prophet?
You were indeed a prophet
Bringing God's word
Of love, justice
And freedom
For the journey.
Who do we follow...
A friend?
You were certainly friend
To outcast and sinner
Feeding the weak
Lightening the load
For the journey.
Who do we follow...
All of these
None of these
For as this world's Saviour
You are all of these
And so much more
As you take the very least of us
And make the very most of us
Who do we follow?
Jesus Christ
Our Saviour
In the lonely places
The wilderness
Where we stand forlorn
Windswept and alone
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
In the dark places
The shadows
Where we hide our fears
Embrace our tears
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord
In the ordinary moments of our lives
When thoughts, distractions
And busyness might keep us apart
Open our hearts to let you in
When you stand before us
As angel or stranger
And whisper softly to our soul
Open our hearts in obedience to your will
Did I hear your voice
in the beat of a butterfly’s wing
the melody in a blackbird’s song?
Did I feel your presence
in the warmth of a summer breeze
the coolness of a mountain stream?
Did I sense your touch
in the smile on a young child’s face
the shoulder I can lean upon?
You speak to us
in many ways
Reveal yourself
in many ways
if our ears can hear
our heart can feel
our mind can know
and our hands are open
to your touch
Into the daily cycle of our lives
When all seems well
With us and with the world
When our yoke is easy
And the burden light
You break in
And scatter our complacency
Into the daily cycle of our lives
When we are comfortable
And at our ease
When the fire is lit
But eyes are closed
You break in
And challenge our dependency
You break into
Our daily prayers
Humble hearts
Lay souls bare
You break in
You break in
You break in
When defences are down
With an Angel's shout
Or the quietest sound
You break in
You break in
And we change
And all things change
When you break in
Prayers from other sources
Let us make our way together, Lord;
Wherever you go I must go:
And through whatever you pass,
There too I will pass.
Teresa of Avila, 1515-82
Father, I am seeking:
I am hesitant and uncertain,
But will you, O God,
Wahtch over each step of mine
And guide me.
Augustine, 354-430
Lord, I am blind and helpless,
Stupid and ignorant.
Cause me to hear;
Cause me to know;
Teach me to do;
Lead me.
Henry Martyn, 1781-1812
Give us grace, O Lord, not only to hear thy Word with our ears,
but also to receive it into our hearts and to show it forth in our
lives; for the glory of thy great name.
Source unknown
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the power of God preserve us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the way of God direct us,
May the shield of God defend us,
May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil
and the temptations of the world.
Patrick, c389-c461
Let us have clean hearts ready inside us for the Lord Jesus,
so that he will be glad to come in, gratefully accepting the hospitality
of those worlds, our hearts: he whose glory and power will endure
throughout the ages.
Origen, c185 - c254
Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive you, intellect to understand
you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold
you, a heart to meditate upon you and life to proclaim you, through
the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Benedict, 489-543
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