(image: M.M.Guenault)

Mark 6:30-32
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ’Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”

Gracious God, in times of pressure and busyness, we see how Jesus took time out to spend solitary moments with You, and commanded His followers to do the same. And so, on this Bank Holiday Monday, even if there are things we must engage with today, be they physical or mental activity, help us to take a moment to rest in Your presence. Lord God, we know that it is through spending these still quiet moments with You, that You will fully refresh our souls. So as we come to You, we ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to calm and ease any burdens we may carry today, we ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to re-energise us and fill us with Your love and the assurance of Your presence with us, this week and in the days to come. You are our God and as we give thanks for all that You are, and always will be, we come to You. Amen

(image: www.pixabay.com)
1 Thessalonians 5:11   (ESV)

‘Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing’.

Gracious God, as ‘Captain Tom 100’ weekend begins, we remember how Captain Tom told the world that “tomorrow will be a good day”. Today we pray especially for those who face the future with anxiety or trepidation, who find it difficult to face tomorrow. May we continue to nurture communities so that their voices will be heard. May those in need of assurance feel the power of Your presence in their lives this day. As we are asked to consider doing 100 things for someone else over the weekend, we pray that you will help us to do what we can to make a happy tomorrow for someone, be it sharing a smile, sending a message, holding them in prayer, whatever we can do practically to make a difference to someone else. And finally Lord God, help us all to face tomorrow entrusting ourselves into Your care, Your guiding hand and Your mercy, acknowledging You as our Creator God. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

(image: www.freeimages.co.uk )
1 Thessalonians 5:11   (ESV)

‘Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing’.

Gracious God, as we come to You in prayer today, we acknowledge that the pandemic has effected and continues to effect us all in different ways, as we continue to move out of lockdown. There are those who are excited at the new freedoms of hair cuts and time spent with friends in gardens and parks, whilst there are others who remain unsure of the situation or are still forced into a life of isolation because of their vulnerability to the virus. And so, as communities, may we continue to reach out to one another with empathy, compassion and understanding. Help us to ensure that no-one is left alone to deal with the effects of the pandemic and may we be witnesses to Your love and Your presence in our world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

(image: M.M.Guenault)

Psalm 121    Good News Translation

‘ I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake’.

Gracious God, as we look out across the sea to St Cuthbert’s Cross, stood beside the rocks on Holy Island, Lindisfarne, we reflect upon the centuries that the cross has stood firm amidst storms, raging waves and high seas. We reflect upon how this simple wooden structure has remained a symbol of hope for centuries of travellers. There are some days Lord when we feel unsure and insecure, days when we feel battered and bruised by the storms of life, yet we know that Your love for us remains unchanged, that Your strength and protection will weather any storm. And so, we give You thanks and as we gaze at the serenity of this landscape, help us to feel the peace and hope in our hearts that comes from being loved by You, this day and in the days to come. Amen.

Words of Saint Cuthbert ‘Always keep God’s peace and love among you…’

Mark 12:31       NIV
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Gracious God, as a new week begins, we turn our thoughts and concerns to our brothers and sisters in India as they suffer a critical lack of oxygen supplies and hospital beds, whilst Covid surges through their country. We pray for families desperately seeking treatment for loved ones. We pray for healing for those who are deeply unwell. We pray for all medical professionals trying to cope with the pressure of this emergency. We pray for loved ones in our own communities, anxiously awaiting news of family members overseas, and finally Lord God, we pray that medical supplies, being sent by other nations, will arrive quickly into the areas where they are most needed. Living God, we place the people of India into Your Hands. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Reading Psalm 23
‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long’.

Living Lord, You tell us that You are the good Shepherd, the one who walks beside us and refreshes our souls. As the week draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect and give thanks for a time when we may have felt You guiding us forward, when we have struggled with a choice or decision. We give thanks for the times when we may have asked for Your protection when we have felt afraid or insecure. We give thanks for the times when You may have refreshed our hearts and minds when we have felt tired or low. We give thanks for any blessing, any unexpected gift of comfort, assurance or love You may have given us this week and finally we give thanks for the peace that comes from being in Your presence, now and throughout eternity, when we place our trust in You. The Lord is our Shepherd and we give thanks. Amen

Psalm 33: 4- 7
‘God’s word is true, and everything he does is right. He loves what is right and fair; the Lord’s love fills the earth. The sky was made at the Lord’s command. By the breath from his mouth, he made all the stars. He gathered the water of the sea into a heap. He made the great ocean stay in its place. All the earth should worship the Lord’.

Gracious God, today we come to You in prayer as we join with people of all faiths, races and cultures, across our world, to celebrate Earth Day. We give You thanks for the incredible world You have given us, for its beauty, diversity, mysteries, resources and the opportunities it affords us for life. As we stop and look out of a window or step outside our homes or workplaces, help us to appreciate the wonders of the natural world You have created. Lord God, we know that we have damaged our world and upset the eco-systems that allow life to flourish. As world leaders gather today, we pray for conversations to remove any obstacles that prevent the healing of our planet. We pray for political, social and economic agendas that will create opportunities for humankind to focus on restoring the natural environment You have entrusted into our care. Help us to play our part in preserving the richness of our earthly home for future generations. Lord God, for the wonder of Your Creation we praise, thank and honour You, Amen.

John 13:34-35 The Message
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

Gracious God, as the trial into the death of George Floyd reaches its verdict, we pray once more for racial justice and equality across all nations. We thank You for the gift of diversity amidst peoples of all races and creeds and ask You to help us to commit to building communities where all people are valued and all people are respected, regardless of the colour of their skin or the language they speak. We pray for healing for all those who have suffered racial injustice, prejudice and intolerance. Living Lord, give us compassion and empathy to understand and respect the needs of our neighbours and help us to be channels of Your love and peace in our world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Psalm 96:11 ESV
‘Let the sea roar and all that fills it!’

Psalm 98:7 The Message
‘ Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in’.

Gracious God, as people across the world prepare to mark Earth Day on Thursday, and leaders from 40 nation’s set the agenda to discuss the future of our planet, today we celebrate and give thanks for the life of our oceans and seas. Creator God, we give thanks for the millions of species that live in our waters, many still undiscovered; from dolphins and sea turtles, rays and sea bass, lobsters and crabs, to plankton and coral, an underwater world of beauty, colour and diversity. Lord God we acknowledge that as humankind we are destroying the health of our oceans and seas through, hunting, pollution, and the effects of climate change. Help us to do what we can to be informed and play our part in protecting and healing this amazing undersea world You have gifted us. As we reflect upon the joy of waves splashing on our feet, sand in our toes and the wonder of seas that ebb and flow as the tides turn, reaching way beyond the horizon, we are reminded of Your presence in our world and give thanks. Amen.