Morning Prayer

Breathing in Gratitude and Thanksgiving

We start with a declaration of our dependence on God’s presence personally and as a community.

Exodus 33: 15-16
‘Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?”’ (MSG)

‘Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”’ (NKJV)

You might want to try and reword these verses into a prayer that expresses your own dependence on God’s presence and leading in your life, or you could just pray through them as they are. Take time each day to notice which particular word impacts you the most and then hold that word consciously throughout the day.
Reflect upon the journey your life has taken, and the knowledge that God has walked every step with you, on the mountains and in the valleys, give thanks for his faithfulness

Some of you will have noticed the themes of these weeks are taken from our prayer cards which focus on a walk around the city walls, stopping at the various “gates” to pray and speak blessing into these areas of our city, region and community. If you are in the city in the next few weeks, pick up a prayer card from cityspace or use the one we will upload to the website, and take some time to walk all or part of the city walls to pray.

Start by giving thanks for those people who often find themselves in the most demanding and at times dangerous situations with the sole purpose of keeping us safe and well. Think about those you might know who work for the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Lifeboat service or coastguards. Maybe scan the news and note a couple of current stories where these services have been called into action. Give thanks for the bravery and courage of those involved in those situations.

Look to practice kindness and gratitude this week as you travel around, taking time to thank bus drivers when you get off a bus or platform staff at stations. If you drive, look to be courteous to other drivers and be ware of the ease in which a stressful car journey can cause you to become tense or wound up. In those moments when you are stuck in a queue or at a level crossing, take a moment to notice what’s going on around you and give thanks for those things you see: maybe a bird, a resilient flower growing in an urban environment, a friendly face …  and allow that stress to ease.

Evening Prayer

Breathing out Praying Blessing

Pray a blessing on those who work for the border forces, who are often faced with difficult challenges, and who’s vigilance keeps us safe, with so much of their work going unreported.

Pray blessing on the emergency services, that at a time when resources are limited they will get what they need to carry out their responsibilities safely and effectively.

Pray for wisdom for those at both a national and local level who set the budgets for these services and for those within the services themselves who then allocate where those resources are directed.

Closing Prayer:

Almighty God our Father, we come in humility to meet you in your majesty.
In Jesus, we stand confident in our heavenly status as members of your family,
By your Holy Spirit, teach us how to stand in the gap for this region:
May our communities be places where people always feel at home;
May our streets be blessed with the peace that surpasses understanding;
May the warmth of your love reach those who feel they are on the fringes of society.
Transform our city – touch her cold stones with your breath and bring her heart to life again,
Show us how to help her step out from behind her ‘tough girl’ exterior and truly be herself.
And as we too set our hearts to become the people you made us to be,
May your light glow within us and your glory radiate from us
In Jesus name, amen.