This is an opportunity to pause in the middle of our day and we're particularly asked to do this in the nine days between the feast of Jesus' Ascension into Heaven, and in preparation for the festival of Pentecost. And we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first disciples in Jerusalem, and we ask for a fresh sense of God's power and love for us in this time and place.
Today's prayers are led by Revd Benjamin Jarvis.
Introduction
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ♦
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; ♦
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; ♦
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; ♦
the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; ♦
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf ♦
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; ♦
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe
and strips the forests bare; ♦ in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; ♦
the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; ♦
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Short Bible Reading
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
[silence]
Prayers
We are guided in praying for ourselves and those around us, ending with this prayer:
Almighty God, your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit and fill our hearts with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your Word may be drawn to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Conclusion
May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our
hearts and minds.
Amen.
Thank you for praying with us. Join us again tomorrow at midday.