Praying Together 2021

3 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 God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Thomas Aquinas was a great scholar who helped us understand what we believe. Let us pray for all students. (pause) God of wisdom, in our learning, be our gentle guide and show us the right path. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 40:25-26, 29-31 The Holy God asks, “Who can compare with me? Is anyone my equal?” Look at the stars in the sky. Who created all of these? Who leads them like an army and gives them each a name? The Lord is so strong and mighty that none of the stars are missing. The Lord gives strength to all who are weary. Even young people tire out, then stumble and fall. But all who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles that soar about on wings. They will walk and run and not feel weary or tired. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Many composers have written music reflecting their amazement at God’s creation. Listen to a short excerpt o f ‘The Planets’ by Gustav Holst. While the orchestra is playing, you might like to close your eyes and imagine the stars and planets that God has created. Say a silent prayer of thanks to God for creating these things. DISMISSAL May God’s face shine upon us and be gracious to us. 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. “Look at the stars in the sky. Who created all of these?” Thursday St Thomas Aquinas 28 January 2021