A prayer from my heart

This Sunday was the first time I read the prayers. I was told by someone who does this regularly that we have a pretty free hand in choosing the prayers, but they should include a response.

This is the prayer that I wrote, and read yesterday.

Dear Father God,

We read in the Book of Genesis that you brought the Earth and everything around us into being. We also read there that you made everyone one of us in your own image. Throughout the Bible we read about your love for us and your desire for us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

Help each of us here today to know your tender love for us and that you accept us just as we are, even though you know us better than anyone else does.

Hear the prayers of each of our hearts, dear God.

Mothering God, bind up the wounds life has inflicted on us and heal the hurts in our lives that keep us from loving our neighbours and from following your Way as well as we might.

Hear the prayers of each of our hearts, dear God.

Spirit of God, guide us and empower us to follow more closely the Way of God, which Jesus, the Carpenter from Nazareth, showed us while he lived on this Earth. Help us to share our heavenly Father’s concern for justice and peace and for the poor and needy. Help us to see how we might be able to express our love and concern in ways that are practical, respectful and appropriate.

Hear the prayers of each of our hearts, dear God.

Creator God, you made all things and all you made was very good. Show us how to respect the fragile balance of life. Guide us by your wisdom to make decisions that will care for the environment, cherish the Earth and preserve its resources and fruitfulness for the generations to come.

Hear the prayers of each of our hearts, dear God.

Loving heavenly Father, we bring before you all those people known to us who are suffering with illness and other difficulties. We pray that you will bring them the help and healing they need and reassure them of your loving presence.

We also pray for people not known to us, in this country and also far away, who suffer because of bad government, the greed and aggression of others, or natural disaster. May they know your love by the help they receive through your agents.

Amen

[edited]