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Prayers : Signs of Hope


Signs of hope in a troubled world

"And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
(Romans 5:2-5 NIV)



Yours is the love
that in a moment of divine joy
announced, “Let there be light!”
and in a blaze of glory
revealed the master plan
of a garden we now walk upon.
Creative love,
Enduring love,
Patient love,
Forgiving love,
Yours is the love
that in such suffering and pain
announced, “The price is paid!”
and in a blaze of glory
revealed the Master’s plan
of Salvation that we depend upon.
Yours is the love!
Amen




Bless those who, with a word
or hug, can bring a smile
onto the face of someone
who is struggling with life -
a simple, inexpensive
but infinitely precious gift
from one heart to another.

 


 

Bless those whose faith,
even when tested
by pain, loss or sorrow,
still shines through
the darkness of their lives
as a witness to you,
and speaks so clearly
of your love for them.
Bless them, for their witness
to your grace and mercy,
and hold them gently
in the comfort of your arms.

 


 

For small miracles
in the midst of tragedy
we thank you, Lord.
For refugees rescued
from sinking ships,
earthquake victims
brought alive from
upturned buildings,
and the many others
that go unnoticed
in our daily lives,
where acts of love
and selfless bravery
confront misfortune
and catastrophe
and from the darkness
bring light and life.

 


 

For the courage of relief workers
operating in desperate conditions
bring a blessing to their lives.
For the generosity of ordinary people
giving to those who have lost so much
bring a blessing to their lives.
For selfless love wherever it is shown
which gives without considering cost
bring a blessing to their lives.

 


 

 

We give thanks for generosity!
For billionaires giving of their wealth
to establish research programs
for the eradication of disease;
volunteers giving of their time
to help those less fortunate
in their neighbourhood, city
or in some remote disaster zone;
and of course the widow’s mite,
given without counting cost
and no less generous a gift.
For all such generosity,
which comes from one heart
and flows freely to another,
as does your love for us,
we thank you, generous God!
May lives be blessed, Lord,
wherever generosity is shown.
The giving of time to help
when someone is in need.
The always-being-there
as children finally leave home.
That spontaneous purchase
as a token of someone’s love.
The sharing of resources
with those who do not have.
The freewill offering
for the ministry of your Church,
and the digging deep
for a charitable cause.
Wherever generosity is shown,
may lives be blessed, dear Lord.

 

 

 

These, other prayers are from 'Ripples - Engaging with the world in prayer' available from this website (pdf) of paperback and Kindle from Amazon

 

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 



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©John Birch · Prayers written by the author may be copied freely for worship. If reproduced elsewhere please acknowledge author/website
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