Poetic Prayer

This week there have been some nice days of sunshine. On Friday, I decided to sit in my sunny garden, and spend some time writing prayers for Sunday.

I don't know whether the sun went to my head, but the prayer seemed to flow differently from usual.

I hope you find them helpful.

Prayer of Approach

Father God, as we come to you this morning,
We see tears upon your face.
“Why are you crying?”

“My child,
My heart is full of joy that you have come back to me.
As you cry in your happiest moments, so do I.”

“But my joy is tinged with sadness.
There are so many missing from your company.
I breathed my life into them,
And they have turned their back on me.”

“But you are here. I love you.
I know your weaknesses, your faults, and your sins.
And I forgive you.”

“Wipe away those tears from your eyes,
And I will wipe away mine.
Let us rejoice together in each other’s company.”


Loving God, we pray to you together, in the words of Jesus our Lord,

Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, & the glory, for ever.
Amen


Prayer for Others

God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph,
God of Samuel, David, Solomon, and Daniel,
God of mercy, grace, and loving compassion,
Hear us, O God, as we cry to you in our distress.

When we look upon your face,
Our hearts are filled with joy.
But as we gaze on the world around us,
Our hearts are filled with sorrow and distress.

Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer,
We brought to you right here,
But many of them, Lord, have turned,
And think of you no more.

So Lord, we ask you, watch them close,
And keep them from all harm;
That one day, Lord, they may return,
And worship you once more.

To keep the peace, we sent our troops,
To far Afghanistan.
But some of them are now no more,
To you, they have returned.

Be with their friends and family,
And comfort them this day,
And in Afghanistan, we pray,
Bring peace and hope once more.

O Lord our God, in North Korea,
You are not allowed.
In fear and dread, they fire missiles,
To drop on someone’s head.

Speak peace and love, within that place,
That they may turn from war,
And find that joy that comes from you,
And sleep safe in their bed.

O God of healing and of love,
We think of those who are sad,
Speak peace to them, and hug them now,
And heal their wounds, their hearts, their minds,
In you we trust and hope.

O loving God, you hear our prayer,
And what’s more, you do answer,
We thank you now, and always will,
In you we trust forever.

Amen.