spirituality

Prayer for Lent

Generous God of mercy
In this season of penitence
We ask for forgiveness for our country’s espousal
Of a hostile environment to refugees and asylum seekers

We also ask forgiveness for our commitment to the arms trade
With all the devastation that causes
Not least in causing more refugees
Trying to escape from brutal and unnecessary wars

May our churches be communities
That treat people with equality and dignity
Caring for all and showing love in action

May our vision be renewed this Lent
To see the great hope of the wounded God
Who walks beside us
And encourages us to become communities
That are wholistic and just
And become strong witnesses in our communities
That make a difference

Prayer – Community of Love… in difficult times

Generous God
We thank you for the model of
the community of love which you showed us
We thank you for the witness of churches in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Of Pequeno Nazareno working with street children in Fortaleza Brazil
We thank you for the artists and broadcasters that reflect the truth in difficult times
We thank you for all those who make visible
the loving spirit of your gospel.
We pray that we will find that strength,
that we will link arms together,
to be a community of hope
These are hard times, even puzzling times,
so we need to be reminded day by day
to make a difference –
to reject the ways of violence
We thank you for those who have been examples to us
We thank you for those who picked up the torch and led the way
May we do the same
And may our churches bring hope that resonates for all,
May they be courageous, prophetic, loving and just.

Little Outlaws, Dirty Angels

Community of Love

Making Holy Dreams Come True

Making Holy dreams come true
What have they done to the little town of Bethlehem?
Some thoughts on Bethlehem for Christmas Eve

Making Holy Dreams Come True (A Christmas prayer for Bethlehem)

What have they done to the “Little Town”?

Imprisoned it in a concrete wall

Bethlehem – once a holy city

Trapped inside a ghetto wall.

Here where angels sang of peace

Where love and hope were born anew

Once surrounded by a heavenly host

Now surrounded by a concrete view.

Yet people crushed and hidden away

Still celebrate on Christmas Eve

Lighting candles for the child –

They still remember – still believe.

So light a candle this Holy Night

For Bethlehem and Beit Sahour

And for all the people caught inside

That cold and grey prison wall

Longing for a world of peace

Where all are treated equally

Where all can recognise their worth

Where all can live with dignity –

Where all can join hands with neighbours

Whether Muslim, Christian, Jew

And find a way to live together

Making holy dreams come true.

Garth Hewitt from his book ‘Making Holy Dreams Come True’ (SPCK) with thanks to Chris Rogers for his violin accompaniment from the album ‘Peace at Christmas’ available here