Midday Prayer: Thursday, January 24
Prayers for Peace and Justice
with resources from the Iona Community
the font is at the entrance and the paschal candle is lit
original musical improvisations by Tom as people enter
to begin the service, a small candle is lit near the celtic cross
Opening Responses:[Bill]
Creator of the cosmos,
of eternity and time:
Be with us in this time.
Saviour of the world,
healer of the nations:
Be with us in this place.
Breath of all that lives,
of people near and far:
Stir within our lives.
Maker-Spirit-Son,
God of here and now:
Be present in our worship,
that we may find new ways
to be present in your world.
Song:(seated)MV 85 “Take, O Take Me as I Am” (3 times)
Prayer: (from the Iona Abbey Worship Book, alt.)[Bill]
Creator Spirit, wellspring of our lives,
as the refreshing rain falls on the just and unjust alike
refresh us with your mercy,
who knows our own injustice.
As the stream flows steadily on,
defying all the odds of earth and stone,
flow over every boundary and border
that separates us from each other.
As the waters of baptism wash and welcome
renew us now in newness of life
and unity of love.
And as we were once held
in the waters of our mother’s womb
hold us in the strength, sustenance and peace
of your abiding presence.
Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:6-12 [Michael]
A reading from Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth:
Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues,
how will I benefit you, unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp.
If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played?
And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
So with yourselves; if, in a tongue, you utter speech that is not intelligible,
how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.
There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound.
If then I do not know the meaning of a sound,
I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts,
strive to excel in them for building up the church.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. [Thanks be to God]
. . . after a generoussilence, the music begins to introduce the Prayer Response below. . .
Prayers,with Response:MV 90 “Don’t Be Afraid” (once each time, as below)
R(introduced; and sung once)
[Marilyn]
We live a world so often defined by fear, O God –
fear of the other, fear of difference,
fear of the new, fear of change,
fear of the past, fear of tomorrow.
And so we praytoday for a world in the grip of fear,
longing for your presence
and our hope,
in need of your strength
and our action. . . . .
R
[Michael]
And we are often afraid, O God,
afraid to speak out,
afraid to be inspired by your breath of life within us,
afraid to prophesy in the name of your love and justice,
Help us to hear the call of your liberating Word, O God.
Make us eager for your spiritual gifts
that we may speak yourtruth in love,
and build up the body of your people. . . . .
R
[Marilyn]
And we pray especially today for particular individuals and peoples
who live in fear –
fear of the violence that rains down upon them,
fear of the hunger and cold that daily stalks them,
fear of the future, for the sake of their children or their people,
fear of the idleness of governments and the apathy of nations.
You have shown us that perfect love casts out fear, O God –
perfect our love, we pray,
that fear may cease
and we may embody your love, justice and peace. . . . .
R
[Michael]
Through our lives and by our prayers, touch us with your love, O God
– that force that no fear can destroy –
in the name of the One who is your Love and Justice and Peace incarnate,
Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.
Song:(standing) MV 89 “Love Is the Touch”
Concluding Prayer and Blessing[Bill]
O God, lead us from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hears,
our world, our universe. Amen.
And now may the peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
The peace of Christ be with you all. [And also with you.]
Going forth music: “Be Thou My Vision” (SLANE) instrumental
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