Praying Together 2021

126 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. May the peace of Christ be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Mary Magdalene, a faithful disciple, stood by the cross of Jesus and was the first to see him after he had risen from the dead. Knowing the risen Lord, let us pray with joy. (pause) Lord of the living, by the example of Saint Mary Magdalene may we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 1:17-21 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people. I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE In today’s reading, St Paul hopes that we will discover the ‘glorious blessings’ that are ours because we are God’s people. Let’s close our eyes and sit very still as we prepare to talk to God. For the next minute of silence, bring to mind the blessings in your life and thank God for each one of them. Perhaps you would like to thank God for a special person. You might think of a special place that makes you feel happy e.g. your backyard or the beach. You could thank God for sunshine, or rain, or flowers, or animals. Thank God for all the blessings that come into your mind. DISMISSAL God grant us happiness. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Thursday St Mary Magdalene 22 July 2021 “Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours.”