You draw us forward in faith
Like a pillar of fire across deserts
A rock of assurance
As we journey
Speak to us with your words of comfort and wisdom.
Song “I shall not want”
We say the Lords Prayer in our own language
Psalm 102
For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass;
I am too wasted to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a little owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread,
and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;
for you have lifted me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
We pray for the people of Ukraine, and for the Russian people, for Hong Kong, for Taiwan, for Syrians, for Yemenis, for Palestinians, for Rohingas, for Uighurs; For those suffering from flooding, drought earthquakes, and cyclones due to climate change, for the millions of refugees, for homeless people, for those who are hungry, thirsty or in prison, for the terrified and deranged; for those on strike, for doctors nurses, teachers and for the government to do the best for its people and not the worst; for our children, grandchildren and a better future for us all.
Loving God help us to follow you
Into a place of quietness,
Where we may face beasts and wilderness
But we will know the presence of angels
Even in the desert times. Amen.
