Christmas, Hope

You Are Our Light

Lord Jesus, Light of the world: You are our light. When all is darkness: You are our light. When our hearts are broken and we can’t find hope: You are our light. When we are afraid: You are our light. You are our God wrapped in rags and lying in a manger: You are our light. When we feel far from…

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Biblical, Dying & Loss

Teach Us To Number Our Days

Lord, you have always been our safe place. Before the mountains were born before you created the world, from age to age you are God.   Teach us to number our days,   that we may gain a heart of wisdom With your Word you return people to dust. For you a thousand years are like a day just gone…

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Biblical, Pain

Hezekiah’s Prayer In Sickness

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.   – Isaiah 38:2-8

Hope, Mystics, Need Or Trial, Pain

When All Fails – Mechthild of Magdeburg

Lord, it seems you have taken away all the blessings that I once had from you. In your grace, please give me now that one gift which every dog seems to have by nature— that of being faithful to you in my distress, faithful even when all comfort is gone. This I desire more passionately than anything else there is.…

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Poets

Holy Sonnet VII – John Donne

At the round earth’s imagined corners, blow Your trumpets, Angels, and arise, arise From death, you numberless infinities Of souls, and to your scattered bodies go, All whom the flood did, and fire shall o’erthrow, All whom war, dearth, age, tyrannies, Despair, law, chance, hath deaths woe. But let them sleep, Lord, and me mourn a space, For, if above…

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Advent, Biblical, Christmas

Mary’s Song (The Magnificat)

My soul praises the Lord. I rejoice in God my Saviour! For he took notice of his lowly servant, and now all generations will call me blessed. For The Mighty One, is Holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him. His mighty arm does great things! He…

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Confession

Closed Fists Open Palms

[closed fists]   Lord God, our heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in many ways, in our thoughts and in our words, in what we have done, and in what we have failed to do.   [silence]   [open palms to receive]   Have mercy on us and forgive us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit,…

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Biblical, Blessing

Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians

I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be inwardly strengthened with power through His Spirit; so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be…

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Aussie

The Redfern Prayer – Ray Minniecon

God of our Dreaming. Father our all Aboriginal nations in Australia. You have lived among us since time immemorial. We have always known You. You gave this land to our Aboriginal nations. You have not dispossessed us nor destroyed us. People from other lands, who do not understand our unique culture, our unique lifestyle and our unique heritage have come and…

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Need Or Trial, Pain

Prayer In Suffering – Johannes Tauler

Lord God, King of Glory, Help us to make the right use of the suffering that comes to us, Help us to offer to you the incense of a patient and trusting heart. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.   – Johannes Tauler 1300-1361AD

Prayer Of Church

Simple Reflective Prayer Of The Church

Lord God, as darkness falls and light disappears you stand firm and shine for us…   (pause – or response)   Loving Father, thank you for sending your Spirit into our hearts…   (pause – or response)     Jesus, risen from the dead, you open doors that were locked shut, open what you will in us…   (pause –…

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Biblical, Forgiveness, Praise

Praise The Lord O My Soul

Praise the Lord O my soul, All my being praise God’s holy name, Praise the Lord O my soul, And remember the kindness of God.   The Lord forgives all your sins, And heals your diseases, He rescues your life from the grave, And crowns you with love and compassion, He fills you with every kind of good, And lifts…

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