Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Psalm 84. It was written by Joan Stott.
Prayer of Thankfulness and Trust
(inspired by Psalm 84)
Everlasting God, in the beauty of your holiness we gather to worship you, to praise you for your goodness and mercy; and for the way that here especially, we can be aware and know your holy presence. We come together into this our beloved place of prayer and praise, where we are not only surrounded by the signs and symbols of your presence, but also of the memories of people, who in the past, have inspired us with their faith and their nurture of us; but who have also pointed to us towards the only way forward for our life’s faith journey.
Welcoming God, we come as your vulnerable children to worship you, to offer ourselves to you with all our frailties and faults; and all our struggles with life’s complexities, because you open your arms with love and compassion to all in need of your generous love and support. As the wise Psalmist wrote: “Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young near your altar.” We come together today, to gain strength, hope and encouragement for life’s journey from the Source of all power and strength – our God.
God of grace and God of glory, you are our Light and our Protector—and our God in whom we trust, regardless of our worldly status or influence over others. We come in humility, before such a Forgiving God as is our God, and acknowledge that it is only in your presence that we can find life’s balance and perspective; and that only in your holy presence, we can know true acceptance and our true home. Amen.
Welcoming God, we come as your vulnerable children to worship you, to offer ourselves to you with all our frailties and faults; and all our struggles with life’s complexities, because you open your arms with love and compassion to all in need of your generous love and support. As the wise Psalmist wrote: “Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young near your altar.” We come together today, to gain strength, hope and encouragement for life’s journey from the Source of all power and strength – our God.
God of grace and God of glory, you are our Light and our Protector—and our God in whom we trust, regardless of our worldly status or influence over others. We come in humility, before such a Forgiving God as is our God, and acknowledge that it is only in your presence that we can find life’s balance and perspective; and that only in your holy presence, we can know true acceptance and our true home. Amen.
