Prayers for the Week 18th May

18 May Prayers for the Week 18th May

O God our Father,
you invite us to pray,
and you grant what we ask,
when we ask according to your will.
Hear me as I tremble in this darkness,
and stretch forth your hand to me.
Shine your light before me.
Recall me from my wanderings.
With you as my Guide,
restore me to myself and to you.

St Augustine of Hippo

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
wich is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any – lifted from the no
of all nothing – human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

e.e. cummings. With thanks to Heidi Maria Schmidt for introducing me to these words.

Lord God, we ask that you look after our families and communities affected by Coronavirus both locally and across the world.

Grant us the courage and perseverance to care for our neighbours.

We pray especially for all those working to keep us safe and healthy, that you may guide and protect them.

We pray that you will inspire those researching new treatments. Walk alongside our world leaders that they may make wise and just decisions.

O God, our Creator,

Your kindness has brought us the gift of a new day.

Help us to leave yesterday, and not to covet tomorrow,

But to accept the uniqueness of today.

Iona Community

Amen