Prayers for The Week Beginning 8th January 2006

A prayer of Approach
Lord God, we come as we are, preoccupied by thoughts and cares. May you meet us now and help us to open our minds to receive your message. So may each one of us know that you are with us. Amen.

A prayer of Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God for the creative power which brings us each new day.
Let us give thanks to God for the way of love revealed to us in the living and dying of Jesus.
Let us give thanks to God for new life through the Spirit of our risen Lord.
Let us give thanks to God for the Church, the body of Christ on earth, and let us give thanks for the love and care, the witness and the challenge which we discover in the Church at its best.
Gracious God we offer you our thanks and praise through Jesus your Son and in the power of his Spirit. Amen.

A prayer of Confession
Gracious God, forgive our failure to take good care of your creation and our selfishness in using it for our own needs.
Forgive our reluctance to let go of the past when it hinders us from confronting and dealing with what has changed.
Forgive us when we turn our backs on those we have hurt and those in need, instead of sharing your love and care with them.
Gracious God, may we know your forgiveness as we seek the forgiveness of others and offer to forgive them, and may your new life flow through us into every corner of our lives. Amen.

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Methodist Bishop

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