Faith & Worship

"Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”' (Matthew 21:21-22)

 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34)

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27) 

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In the darker moments,
when clouds gather
and the heaviness we feel
seems overwhelming,
remind us of your love,
carrying the weight
of so much in that cross,
embracing the world
with arms outstretched
that we might know
freedom from the chains
which now constrain us.
Bring us to your light,
release our burdens
and from despair bring hope.

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Help us overcome our fears and doubts,
all that comes between the things you ask of us,
and all that we believe we are capable of.
Break down the barriers that daily we create,
and enable us to become all that you ask us to be.

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May we know you well enough
to be able to express
within our prayers
the doubts and uncertainties
that often trouble us,
and those distractions
that get between us,
and be confident
in the knowledge
that you understand,
having walked this path before,
and so walk alongside us,
never more than a heartbeat away,
eternally available
to draw us closer, once more, to you.

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For all who struggle
to cope with change
in the shifting scenes
of life – childhood,
education, families,
identity, relationships,
employment, faith,
growing older, dying -
bring hope, a sense
of your love for them,
a glimpse of eternity.

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Transform our struggles
into victories
Transform our doubting
into certainty
Transform our stumbles
into confidence
Transform our sorrow
into worshipping
Gracious God, we pray.

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For all who struggle
to find their identity
in a world that tries,
often without success,
to find a suitable box
in which to fit them,
grant them courage
to become the people
you want them to be,
not constrained
by this world’s wisdom
but allowed to grow
and become themselves
in your Spirit’s power.

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When the question is ‘Why?’
be the voice that I hear
When the question is ‘Where?’’
be the guidance I need
When the question is ‘When?
Be the wisdom I seek
When the question is ‘How?’
be the strength I require
When my answer is ‘Yes!’
be the peace that I feel.

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Help us overcome
our fears and doubts,
all that comes between
the things you ask of us,
and all that we believe
we are capable of.
Break down the barriers
that daily we create,
and enable us to become
all that you ask us to be.

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Give strength to those
who have grown weary,
doubtful or disillusioned
along the road of faith,
now wanting to rest awhile
or take a different route.
Open their eyes again
as with those two disciples
on the Emmaus road.
Let them hear your word,
feel your gentle touch
and know that it is you
still walking by their side.
Resurrect their faith,
bring to them new life,
living God, we pray.

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For those struggling
through stormy seas,
growing weary
of the journeying
and losing sight
of their destination,
be the lighthouse
that guides them
past hidden dangers,
into calmer water
and the safe harbor
of your loving arms.

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Bless all whose journey,
that search for faith,
acceptance and identity,
is made more difficult
by circumstance, doubt,
diversions, exhaustion,
stumbles along the road,
and the load they carry.
May they hear your voice,
and see your footsteps,
know how close you are,
lay down their burden,
reach for your hand
and allow you to lead
them into their promised land.