April 4th Morning prayer

WORSHIP ECUMENICAL CENTRE, Friday, 4 April, 2008.

Call to worship

Leader: O Lord open our lips
All: And our mouth shall show forth your praise.
L: O God make speed to save us.
A: O Lord make haste to help us
L: O God show your mercy upon us.
A: And grant us your salvation.
L: This is the day which our Lord has made.
A: Let us all rejoice and be glad in it.

O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you: I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness. But with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand you ways, but you know the way for me.
Restore me to liberty, and enable me so to live now that I may answer before you and before men. Lord, whatever this day may bring, your name be praised. Amen
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Agape 64 O healing river

Psalm 46
Men: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Women: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

Men: Though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Women: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.

Men: God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.

Women: The nations are in an uproar,
the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Men: The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 3 8-12

Tribute to Martin Luther King on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his death.

Intercessions
We trust that beyond the absence:
there is a presence.
That beyond the pain:
there can be healing.
That beyond the brokenness:
there can be wholeness.
That beyond the hurting:
there may be forgiveness.
That beyond the silence:
there may be the word.
That through the word:
there may be understanding.

All: That through all understanding: there is love.
Amen

Let us pray,
Lord God of our birth and our creation, we thank you for the amazing gift of life. Help us to treasure all life and work toward ending violence. Strengthen us to abide by your laws, to keep your commandments to love and respect others, as ourselves.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

God of Grace, we pray for the church, for the leaders of the churches and this week in the Ecumenical prayer cycle we pray for people and churches of Brunei, Malaysia and Singapour. Strengthen and guide them so that they may follow your ways.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

Lord, we thank you for our community in the ecumenical centre, for the spirit of fellowship and the bonds of friendship - unite us in our worship and work.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

God of all nations, we pray for a closer dialogue between all people, so that fear is replaced with trust and understand, and our lives are enriched by the diversity of cultures, so that we can live in peace.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

Compassionate god, may the peace we speak of be such an integral part of our lives that we may become vessels of peace in our homes, communities and the world.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

God of love and care, embrace all those who suffer with your healing touch, we pray particularly today for those suffering from war – Iraq, the Middle East and Darfur. Bless and protect those who protect and care for them.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

Father God, we entrust to you our families, friends, colleagues, those we love and those we find it hard to love. We hold in your presence those who are sick we thank you for the lives of those who have left us, especially remembering today the life of Martin Luther King.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow charity;Where there is injury, pardon;Where there is error, the truth;Where there is doubt, the faith;Where there is despair, hope;Where there is darkness, light; andWhere there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master,Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;To be understood as to understand;To be loved as to love;For it is in giving that we receive;It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen. Saint Francis of Assisi

The Lord’s Prayer

Grace
The blessing and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit through his love for humanity be with us all now and always.
Amen.