We pray for ourselves

God, however we understand you, we come before you today – just as we are

Some of us broken, some strong, some angry, some at peace;
We come to you with our pain – our unanswered questions, our longings, our shattered dreams and hopes.

We are so grateful for our understanding that you are a God who joins us in our suffering – a God who understands grief because you have experienced it.

So it is with confidence that we pause and know that you have heard all our spoken and unspoken words today – you have heard the silent sobs and the loud screams – nothing is unobserved – or unnoticed by you.

So – according to our ability today – Father God, we reach out to you and each other – with trembling hands and wavering faith, with many doubts and countless questions – WE ASK YOU TO JOIN US IN OUR JOURNEY !!!
To give your strength – to bestow your compassion – to reveal your light in the midst of our darkness and to help us remember to rebuild and to go on.

Today we cry out –
We do have faith
With your grace, your mercy, your spirit – Help us to have more.

Amen

We pray for others

God, we pray for those today who stand on the edge, for whom life is overwhelming-
Who see no light – only darkness:
Who feel only deep unending pain – feel there is no future.
We think of the young men and women battling with uninvited thoughts – those trapped in illness.

Father you know all these people –
They are your children
You know their pain – their suffering
So come to their aid – send your people – move governments and organisations to see their need and bring help.

And Father use us – we dare to pray – we commit ourselves on this day to being part of your answers to a hurting world
Whatever that might cost or mean for each of us.
Give us the strength to see and respond

Amen

A prayer for hope

Lord as we journey through the dark night of the soul, be with us,
Let us feel your light, your love, your presence,
Help us to bear the agonising pain of our loss and give us a sense of hope for tomorrow.
Hold us each day as we make our way through the darkness and assure us that the dawn will soon break forth to light our path.

Amen