Sunday Evening Prayer 9.8.20
Sunday @ 7 – 9.8.20
Good evening and welcome to this time of prayer.
Please have your candle ready.
My name is Karen Harbison and I’m the minister of Westburn Parish Church. I’m happy to be hosting the time of prayer this week on behalf of Connect clergy – David, Teri and Karen. Good to welcome folk from the congregations and communities associated with Connect, across west Inverclyde. From St Ninian’s, St Margaret’s, St John’s, Lyle Kirk, Old Gourock & Ashton and Westburn we come together to pray . But of course we come together not only with each other but with Christians all across the land as we bring our concerns before God.
Each Sunday of lockdown Christians have been joining together in prayer… habit and practice that’s become part of the routine of these days and weeks,and it’s been an encouragement and support to many to know they are part of the church across congregations and denominations in these times of uncertainty and change.
Each week the prayer is based on one of the readings for that day and there is a letter which goes along with the prayer. This week’s letter says
“Have you ever been afraid? Even as we ask the question, we know the answer. Have you been especially afraid at any point in these recent months? Once more, to ask is to know.
“Collectively and as a society, have we experienced in recent decades anything comparable to the fear and anxiety that has gripped us during the Covid-19 pandemic? Fear and anxiety paralyse us and, as we now see, fear and anxiety can at times paralyse a society and leave it profoundly uncertain.
“The Gospel of Matthew records that early one morning the disciples of Jesus were afraid. They had spent the night in a boat on the water and had been ‘battered by the waves’ and now they find themselves terrified and unable to recognise the presence of Jesus.
“Jesus speaks to them and says ‘do not be afraid’. In response, the disciple Peter steps out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. However, as he does so, fear begins to overtake him once more and he cries out: ‘Lord, save me!’ In response, Jesus reaches out his hand and brings him to the place of safety (Matthew 14: 22-33).
“Today, to the fearful and to the anxious, Jesus reaches out his hand.”
We pray:
Lord, you are our Creator and our
Maker.
We are fashioned in your image
And all that we are is known to you.
Hear us as we cry out and respond to us in our time of need.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, your Word has become flesh and
lived among us
Full of grace and truth.
As the living Word comes, we respond with open hearts
And ask that you will meet us in the place where we are today.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, you see all that takes place
around us
And nothing is hidden from your sight.
You see waves that batter us and the storm that seems unceasing.
Come to us in response to the depth of our need.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, your presence is revealed in
the life of your Son.
He knows us as we are and even now he prays for us.
May he hear us when we are anxious
And respond when we are afraid.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord, you inspire in us faith
And yet we confess that our faith is weak.
Hear us when we cry: “Lord, save me!”
And in response reach out your hand to all who cry to you today.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Amen
May the blessing of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with each one of you this night and always
Amen
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