General Chat

A lovely prayer Emma

Beautiful words Emma. Thank you.

A prayer for today the 5th Sunday of Easter.

Creator of the universe
you made the world in beauty
and restore all things in glory
through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured
by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,
the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love and peace,
to the glory of your name. Amen

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those lovely words Emma and kandj - it's so nice to read posts from others.

A few 'words of wisdom' to start the week.....


The most valuable antiques are old friends.

Keep your temper -- nobody wants it.

Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.

Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.
And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

Christianity is a verb.

God gives and forgives. Man gets and forgets.

Following the path of least resistance is what makes rivers and men crooked.



Continuing to remember you all in prayer....Cx :-)

All very interesting Cynthia, thank you.

Yesterday we had a dark day with heavy rain and a cold wind here in Yorkshire.
Today the sun is out and we have blue sky and white fluffy clouds, a real blessing.

St Medard is the Patron Saint of Weather. (Feast day in June)
I feel that life is a little bit like the weather, some dark days and some brighter days.

A Prayer for Good Weather

Good St Medard, humble and loyal servant,
You trusted God's providence in all things and at all times.
You knew that God provides for the needs of His children
Inspire us with your faith, so that we may weather the storms
that surround us and trust that the sun will shine in us again. Amen.

Remembering those who feel lonely and carry a heavy burden today. xx

Good morning :-)

Thank you kandj - we never know what the weather will bring do we? Yesterday it was lovely here in Lancashire but this morning it is all grey, damp and rather miserable looking.

However unpredictable the weather may be, we are assured by the fact of God's changelessness.



Good Morning God

You are ushering in another day
untouched and freshly new,
so here I come to ask You God if
You’ll renew me too?

Forgive the many errors that
I made yesterday,
and let me try again dear God,
to walk closer in Thy way.

But Father, I am well aware
I can’ t make it on my own.
So take my hand and hold it tight
for I can’t walk alone.


- Helen Steiner Rice



Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia more wonderful words by HSR,
thank you x

Agree with Emma. HSR very gifted I think.

As it is almost the end of the day now, might I add a favourite hymn of mine here.

THE DAY THOU GAVEST, LORD IS ENDED

The day thou gavest, Lord is ended
The darkness falls at thou behest
to thee our morning hymns ascended
thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank thee that thy church, unsleeping
while earth rolls onward into light,
through all the world her watch is keeping
and rests not now by day or night.

As o'er each continent and island
the dawn leads on another day
the voice of prayer is never silent
nor dies the strains of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
our brethren 'neath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never
Like earth's proud empires, pass away
thy kingdom stands, and grows forever
till all thy creatures own thy sway.

Remembering all those who will have difficulty sleeping well tonight. xx

Good morning :-)


I'm glad you enjoyed the words from HSR yesterday - her poems and quotes certainly hit the right note with many people.


For today.......

"A Prayer for the Dazed"

For those whose "check engine" light just flashed;
For those recently deposited, trembley-legged, from a roller-coaster;
For those who forgot their lines as they entered, stage right;
For those poised tensely like a deer in the headlights;
For those badly jet-lagged who fumble for their passport;
For those just awakening not sure of their name;
For those who sat near as a loved one died a "good" death;
Oh God, we pray, repeat yourself:
Vouchsafe again and again the law of gravity;
Reiterate that day follows night and crocuses follow icicles;
Push the tides endlessly like a rocking cradle
Until we can recognize the rhythm of our own breath;
Until we can blink and regain our balance;
Until our hearts beat steadily again.

- Sharon McDonald


Cx :-)

Cynthia, I often have times when I feel dazed/brain fog so thank you for these words.

On the eve of the elections I thought I would include this prayer.

A PRAYER BEFORE AN ELECTION.

Heavenly Father, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns
that confront our towns, cities and country.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your word,
live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and His Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ
and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Good morning :-)


I too, was thinking of a prayer for election day kandj and I think the one you have chosen fits the bill perfectly. Thank you. <3



Remembering all those who are in need of comfort and support at this time. Cx :-)

Thinking of the freedom we have to go about
our daily business.

To our men and women in uniform
past, present and future,

God Bless You and Thank You.x

Tomorrow 8th May is 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which marks the end of Hitlers war and an end to the misery, suffering and courage endured by many.

Tomorrow 8th May is also another important date as we wake and are told which Government will be in control for the next five years.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery
but today is a gift....... that is why it is called the Present!

C.S.Lewis wrote:
There are far, far better things ahead
than any we leave behind.

Sending a gentle ((hug)) to all in need of one tonight. xx

Good morning :-)


As kandj so rightly says, today is the 70th Anniversary of V.E day, so I thought I would post the prayers which will be used at Westminster Abbey on Sunday.


Trusting the promises of God, and with faith in his mercy, let us pray to the Lord.

Let us give thanks for the selfless and courageous service and sacrifice of those who brought peace to Europe, and for the good example they have given us; let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

We pray for nations still devastated by war, for their people and their leaders, and for those who suffer the effects or memories of past wars; for veterans, for those who mourn, and for all innocent victims whose lives have been shattered by the cruelty of others; Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us give thanks for those who work for peace and liberty throughout the world, for the Armed Forces of the Crown, and for all who strive to bring an end to injustice and oppression; let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

We pray for those in our own day who have grown weary or lost hope as a result of violence or terror; for all refugees and displaced people, and for those who seek to address the causes of discord and distrust; Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us give thanks for the reconciliation of former enemies, for the flourishing of goodwill between them, and for the many blessings we enjoy as a result of the sacrifices which have made for peace; let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

We pray for the young people of our own day and for all who will shape the future of this nation, that they may be inspired by those who have gone before them to serve as they have been served; Lord, hear us.

Lord, graciously hear us.

For the reconciliation of former enemies and for the flourishing of goodwill between them, and for the many freedoms and benefits we enjoy as a result of the sacrifices which have made for peace; let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.


Amen.

Hoping all are well, and praying for those in need of comfort and help at this time.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for the prayers.

Remembering all in prayer.

We sat and watched the service from the Cenotaph and both were in tears watching the elderly gentleman laying the wreath along with others. At 92 he was a real inspiration and certainly wore his medals with pride.

Now the election result has been announced and I pray the Prime Minister and his chosen Cabinet will work for the good of all in our Country for the next five years.

The words from Isaac Watts hymn seem appropriate to both important events today.

O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST.

O God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home.

Remembering all who worked long hours at the Polling Stations and all who helped in organizing the General/Ward/Parish elections and the counting of so many votes.

Good morning :-)


I caught part of the service from the Cenotaph yesterday and am always impressed and moved by the veterans bless them. The organisation which goes into these events is amazing and due credit to all those concerned.


A new government and a new day..................



Outside my window a new day I see
And only I can determine what kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay
Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.

My own state of mind is the determining key
For I am only the person I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help
Or be selfish and think just of myself.

I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.

I can be patient with those who may not understand
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.

But I have faith in my Lord and believe what he says
And I personally intend to make the best of each day.


-Anon


Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia I am nodding my head in agreement with the words you have posted this morning. It is indeed a new government and a new day for us all.

We recognize that whoever leads our government that there are some people who will always be better off than we are and also some folk who are worse off than us.
We both count our blessings and thank God for the gift of each new day together

THANK YOU....... remember the song made popular by Petula Clarke years ago?

Thank you for waking me this morning
Thank you for giving me today
Thank you for every new day dawning
I'll be thanking you.

Thank you for every tree and flower
Thank you for every sky of blue
Thank you I should be every hour
Truly thanking you.

Thank you for every note of music
Thank you for every song I sing
Thank you for giving me sweet music
Thanks for everything.

Thank you for everything you give me
Thank you for everything we share
Thank you for simply being with me
Thanks for being there.

Thank you for cheering me with laughter
Thank you for every smile you bring
Thank you for now and every after
Thanks for everything thing.

Thank you for waking me this morning
Thank you for giving me today
Thank you for every new day dawning
I'll be thanking you.

Thank you for every new day dawning
I'll be thanking you.

"I laid me down and slept; I awakened; for the LORD sustained me"
Psalm 3:5 King James version.

Remembering V E Day 70 years anniversary and thinking of those who gave their lives in service for our country.

Good morning :-)

It's a long time since I heard that song by Petula Clark - great words.


Not sure what I am doing today - my OH seems to be going through a bad spell at the moment so only time will tell if we are able to get to church.


The Collect for today:

God our redeemer,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Cynthia I hope that your husband felt well enough for you both to go along to your church service together this morning.

Hubby and I watched the Queen and Prince Philip and other royal family members join a full congregation to celebrate the VE 70 year anniversary on TV earlier.
Tonight we will watch the usual Songs of Praise but I need to check the times as it does vary from week to week now.

A prayer for the 6th Sunday of Easter

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
In your compassion forgive us our sins,
Known and unknown,
Things done, and left undone;
And so uphold us by your Spirit
That we may live and serve you in newness of life,
To the honour and glory of your name;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remembering those who feel sad or worried for whatever reason today. xx

Cynthia sorry to hear that your husband is not
feeling well and hope he recovers soon. x