Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

‘Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Over much of my life I have either been asked to lead the prayers in church or I have been the one asking others. It's not a job that people are really desperate to do and can take much longer than preparing a sermon, but for the congregation it can be one of the most important parts of a service, if done well.

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray as individuals - not to use highflown words that no-one understands or assault God's ears with too many words. It's the same with our prayers during public acts of worship. If we look at Matthew's version of the Lord's Prayer we can break it down into 4 sections:

1. a. Praise of God
   b. God's plans for His universe.
2. Appeal for food.
3. Request for forgiveness.
4. Request for safety.

This template works well when we think globally (though we may want to re-adjust the order). However, all too often we only think parochially about our town or village, or our congregation. But imagine how the emphasis might change if we were a Palestinian Christian or a Ukrainian Christian or in some other country suffering the extremes of war, or climate change.

All of us ought to be able to write prayers for our church, even if someone else reads them. Equally, those accustomed to leading the intercessions in church, might try something different - use the same format but include visual aids and silence; or alternatively musical interludes (eg Taize or Iona) to allow people to have space to put their own requests to God.

Father-God,
we praise Your Holy Name.
We praise You for Your creation of our world,
and for Your Kingdom of Love.

Father-God,
we ask Your forgiveness for our sins,
whether deliberate or accidental.
May we learn from our mistakes this Lent,
and try to live a Holy life.

Father-God,
we pray for all who are hungry,
in our own area and around the world.
We pray for food-banks and aid convoys,
that they may be well supported.
May we also learn to be generous
and share what we have with others.

Father-God,
who acts as a tower of refuge to those in need,
we pray for all who live in terror today,
for those caught up in war,
and those in fear of their illness.
Protect and give peace to all for whom we pray,
that they may know You are holding them safe.
Amen.