01 Feb 2023
As we continue to focus on Christian unity and racial justice, we pray:
Almighty God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are love in community: three in one and one in three.
Draw us away from our narrow individualism
to a new understanding of togetherness
where differences are welcomed and celebrated
and where all ages and experiences
can work together to bring in your kingdom on earth.
For your glory and in your name,
Amen
from the BRF Book of 100 Prayers, by Martyn Payne
JPAG-News-01-Feb-2325 Jan 2023
The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) are encouraging people use this prayer for Holocaust memorial day, 27 January, and throughout the year.
Prayer
Loving God, you care for each
and every human life. All people
are cherished as your beloved
children, no matter how ordinary or
extraordinary their stories are.
Today we come before you to
remember the victims of the
Holocaust.
We lament the loss of the six
million Jews who were killed in the
Holocaust, the millions of other
victims of Nazi persecution, and
victims of all genocides.
May our minds be clear and attentive
to their memory, and our hearts be
moved to bear witness to their lives.
Help us all to turn away from hatred
and division, and to build a world
where genocide is no more.
Strengthen us so that we, in our
own ordinary ways, may show
extraordinary love in the world
today.
Amen
JPAG-News-25-Jan-2318 Jan 2023
A Franciscan Benediction
Attributed to the earliest followers of St Francis
May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done
to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. Amen
11 Jan 2023
John Newton’s hymn Amazing Grace celebrated its 250th anniversary on 1 January 2023. Read more about the commemorations.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
This grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun
04 Jan 2023
l am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
John Wesley
21 Dec 2022
14 Dec 2022
for more prayers visit Christians Praying in Cornwall
JPAG-News-14-Dec-2206 Dec 2022
COP15 on Biodiversity is this year’s other big international environmental summit, to be held in Canada between 7-19 December.
30 Nov 2022
From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth;
From the laziness that is content with half-truth;
From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth,
O God of truth, deliver us. Amen.
Anonymous
Quoted by Nicholas Holtam, Sleepers Wake (p. 32) SPCK
JPAG-News-30-Nov-2223 Nov 2022
JPAG-News-23-Nov-22‘In me there is darkness,
But with You there is light;
I am lonely, but You do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with You there is help;
I am restless, but with You there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with You there is patience;
I do not understand Your ways,
But You know the way for me.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor
And in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.
You know all man’s troubles;
You abide with me
When all men fail me;
It is Your will that I should know You
And turn to You.
Lord, I hear Your call and follow;
Help me’A Prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
From ‘Letters and papers from prison’
16 Nov 2022
A prayer in the cost of living crisis
Almighty and most merciful God,
We hold before you all for whom life is difficult.
Those who must chose between eating or heating,
those who fear starvation or eviction,
those who go without so their children do not.
Open our eyes to their struggle,
open our ears to their needs,
and open our hearts to respond.
May we never forget that what we do to the least in the world,
we do to you.
Unite us all in your work of mercy and service,
mobilise us to help all of those struggling in our communities,
and empower us to fight for justice against poverty and oppression.
Grant these things, Father, for the love of your Son Jesus Christ,
who dwelt alongside us in the difficulty and mess of our human lives.
Amen
09 Nov 2022
Today’s prayer from Daily prayers for COP27 by Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich: download the whole series
Lord of creation, today at #COP27 finance day,
knowing that where our treasure is our heart is also,
inspire all involved
with a vision for the importance
of putting our resources to good use
to enable both our transition to net-zero and
resilience for the climate vulnerable.
JPAG-News-09-Nov-2202 Nov 2022
Prayer for the COP27 climate summit
God of blessings,
the universe sings of your glory.
Deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.
Inspire world leaders at COP27,
with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change
and with courage to act urgently and wisely,
so that our common home may be healed and restored
and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.
Amen.
26 Oct 2022
| Compassionate God, as the nations are shaken, raise up champions of goodness, peace and love who will be your hands and feet, your eyes and ears, your words and your wisdom, in the heart of our darkness. Lord, we believe you are with us. Amen A prayer written by Martyn Payne for the BRF prayer diary |
Download
19 Oct 2022
In a world vibrating with action
We come here to be still.
In a world of tight schedules and deadlines
We have come to absorb the present.
In a world of limits and frustrations
We have come to the brink of eternity. At the still point of a churning world
We wait to meet the unchanging God and know his peace.
(From our friends at the Iona Community: https://iona.org.uk/)
JPAG-News-19-Oct-22Download
12 Oct 2022
Heavenly Father,
We give thanks that everyone is precious in your sight.
May we see what is often hidden in plain sight.
Inspire and enable us to reflect your compassion towards those who are suffering,
restoring hope and refashioning society through your grace. Amen
The Clewer Initiative
JPAG-News-12-Oct-22Download
05 Oct 2022
| Lord God, your creation is groaning and it seems everyone is deaf. Our world is on fire, and it feels like no one cares. Our dreams are being stolen, and all we have is empty words. And yet because of your love, none of us is ever too small to make a difference. So may we wake up before it’s too late and rediscover our first great commission, to work together and care for this earth. Amen |
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