Praying Together 2021

175 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Angels are spiritual beings, that is, they have no body. God’s creation is more beautiful and mysterious than we can imagine. Let us give God thanks. (pause) Open the eyes of our heart, O God, to recognise the forces of good in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 4:16-18 We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Trusting that God hears our prayers, let us pray for the needs of the world. For people who show us the way to God: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For determination to never give up: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For strength to think positive thoughts: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For patience in times of trouble: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the prayers in our hearts today: (pause while students offer their prayers aloud) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. DISMISSAL May God protect us from all harm. 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. “We never give up.” Wednesday Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael 29 September 2021