Praying Together 2021

129 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The love of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT We ask the God of mercy to be our help and guide. (pause) Father of everlasting goodness, forgive our sins and restore us to life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10 Brothers and sisters: God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE This letter from St Paul that we have just heard, reminds us that God loves us just the way we are. Even when we make bad choices God still loves us and wants the very best for us. Today’s reflection is a meditation calle d “God loves you so much – A guided Christian meditation for children” by Beatrix von Watzdorf. DISMISSAL May God’s word strengthen our hearts. 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. Tuesday Week 17 Ordinary Time 27 July 2021 “This is God’s gift to you.”