Father God,
when we look
into the brightness
of your radiance,
the light that blinds,
the light that illuminates
each dusty corner of our everyday lives,
it is hard to feel anything
but embarrassment
as we stand, kneel
or sit in your house
sing your praises
say amen
alleluia
Something
that still small voice
whispers insistently in our ears
'There's unfinished business here'
and we know it means cleaning out those corners
vacuuming out the dust and debris of the past
throwing away all that we have clung to
derived undue comfort from
to start afresh
clean
refreshed
pure
ready to do your will
Help us to make that effort
to rid our lives
of all that is unclean
that your light may not be obscured
by the darkness of our lives
but shine through us
to the world

Father God,
in a world filled
with the sounds of living
it is so easy
to ignore your voice
as you speak through the noise of traffic
the bustle of the shopping mall
the jangling of machinery
the ringing of phones
our television screens.
We hear the shouted remark
across a crowded street
acknowledge a friendly wave
respond to the phone's insistent tone
follow intently the lives
and conversations
of favourite soap stars
yet fail to hear that still small voice
your voice
that can still be heard
above and through the distractions
of our daily lives
if we choose to listen
As always, it's down to choice.
Forgive our selective deafness
our 'haven't got the time' excuses
and help us choose
to find time
to listen
to the one voice
that really matters

It is who your are
and what you have done
for each one of us
that brings us to our knees, Lord.
The only response
to such love poured down
and overflowing
is to ask for forgiveness.
Forgiveness
for being part of a world
that condemned your Son to death
Who chose a robber
to live in his place
and in doing so
robbed the world
of its Saviour.
Forgiveness
for not always comprehending
that even this
was part of your plan
That through the blindness of mankind
you would bring us back
into the light of your presence.
Forgiveness
for underestimating
your love for me
a sinner.
Father, forgive

We can never match
your perfection, Lord
Try as we might
we stumble and fall
grasping for that
which we feel is
unobtainable
We are nothing
if not consistent
in our falling
from your grace
For you are perfect love
and we most certainly are not
Perfect love casts out fear
and we are fearful
fearful
of the unknown
fearful
of failure

'Son, I never ask
for the impossible
I never set a goal
that cannot be reached,
a mountain that cannot be climbed
even by those of a nervous disposition.
All I ask is that you come to me as you are
at this moment in time
and accept me as I AM.
There is no part of you
that cannot be made clean
renewed, restored.
Don't stumble
hold out your hand instead.
That's not too much to ask
is it?'