Faith & Worship Faith & Worship

Prayers about God's call on our lives


Responding in prayer to our call to "Follow!"


" I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people " (Ephesians 1:18)

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Timothy 1:9)

" I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14)

 " Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth." (1 Corinthians 1:26)

"So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.'" (John 20:21)

(You might also want to read 'Called to what?')


We have heard your glorious whisper,
Almost silent, yet insistent,
Breaking through the chatter
Of many voices,
The clatter
Of background noises,
The wind,
The rain,
Storm and hurricane,
Through all of this
Your voice remains,
Unchangeable,
Cuts through to heart
And soul,
Unmissable.
'Come follow me
Pick up the Cross…
My burden is no burden at all,
It is simply love,
Poured out for you
And through you,
Sustaining,
Empowering …
Come follow me'

 



Lord, you call us to ‘be holy’,
and that is not something
we can ask you to do for us
by some miraculous act,
it demands our attention,
the willing involvement
of body, mind and soul,
when lives are changed
by a conscious desire
to become the people
you have called us to be.
Be with us on that journey,
that’s all we ask, dear Lord.



Bless those who live to give
of their time and talents
to help others in this world;
whose calling is to make life
that bit easier for so many.
May the love they show
become seeds that are sown
in this self-centred world,
and others respond to your call.



Your call us to feed the hungry;
those who hunger for food,
those who hunger for faith,
that both may be strengthened
and know they are valued
as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Through our words, actions
and generosity may needs be met
and your kingdom on earth
grow in faithfulness and strength,
loving, generous God, we pray.



Gracious God, forgive the me
who tries to override your call
by arguing for a compromise,
an easier, less challenging way.
Forgive the me who hesitates,
puts you on hold for a while,
because I miss the urgency
within your voice, the reason
why, just now, you do need me.



We are a chosen people,
A family people,
Chosen for love and to share love,
Chosen for joy and to spread joy,
Chosen for friendship and for befriending,
Chosen for blessing and to bless,
Chosen for fruitfulness,
Chosen for harvest.
We are a chosen people,
A family people,
Your family,
Our family.

(John 15:9-17)

 


 

As I adventure with you today
be the compass that guides me,
the light that shines on my path,
the only one I follow.
As I adventure with you today
be the word that encourages,
the hand that reaches out,
each time I stumble
As I adventure with you today
let me glimpse our destination,
and appreciate the places
through which you lead me.
As I adventure with you today,
be the strength I need to follow,
and as the day draws to a close
let me rest in your embrace.

 


 

 

In my heart I have known
such intimacy with you Lord,
known you are always within my reach.
I have heard your glorious whisper
breaking through the clamour
of the world in which I move,
spent time in silent worship
in places of tranquillity and peace.
But there are moments
when deep in my soul
you seem so far away,
when the moments of my day
are consumed by my own self-interest
ambition and pride,
when my heart judges
and declares my guilt.
Draw me close again,
restore the love I first knew
that I might worship you
in spirit and truth
not only with my lips
but with each moment of my day.

 


 

Our paths may cross
in lonely desert spaces,
or crowded city places,
on mountain steep,
or urban street,
but our paths will cross,
and you will offer
to lighten our load,
walk our road,
ease the pain,
take the strain.
Our paths shall cross,
when you will call,
and shall we turn,
can we learn
to hear your voice,
make the choice?

Our paths will cross…
Our gain or loss.

 


 

Make me a tree, Lord,
Sturdy,
Deep rooted,
Useful,
Support
to those in need,
Shelter
to those who are weary,
Fruit
for those who hunger.
Make me a tree, Lord,
Sturdy,
Deep rooted,
Useful

 


 

 


Forgive me those times
when I consider myself to be of little value,
Remind me constantly
that you died for me before I even knew you.

 


 

 

We have a call!
To be loved
and to love.
To be shown mercy
and to show mercy.
To be forgiven
and to forgive.
To receive hope
and to offer hope .
To know joy
and share joy.
To feel peace
and bring peace.
To be made whole
and offer wholeness.
We have a call
Listen...
Listen...
Do you hear?

 


 

Who do we follow...
A teacher?
You were a good teacher,
Full of wisdom,
A moral compass,
Guidance
For the journey.

Who do we follow...
A prophet?
You were indeed a prophet,
Bringing God's word
Of love, justice,
And freedom
For the journey.

Who do we follow...
A friend?
You were certainly friend
To outcast and sinner,
Feeding the weak,
Lightening the load
For the journey.

Who do we follow...
All of these,
None of these,
For as this world's Saviour
You are all of these
And so much more,
As you take the very least of us,
And make the very most of us.

Who do we follow?
Jesus Christ,
Our Saviour.


 

In the lonely places,
The wilderness
Where we stand forlorn,
Windswept and alone,
Your voice calls out,
Prepare a way for the Lord

In the dark places,
The shadows
Where we hide our fears,
Embrace our tear,s
Your voice calls out ,
Prepare a way for the Lord


 

In the ordinary moments of our lives,
When thoughts, distractions,
And busyness might keep us apart,
Open our hearts to let you in.

When you stand before us,
As angel or stranger,
And whisper softly to our soul,
Open our hearts in obedience to your will.


 

Did I hear your voice
in the beat of a butterfly’s wing,
the melody in a blackbird’s song?
Did I feel your presence
in the warmth of a summer breeze,
the coolness of a mountain stream?
Did I sense your touch
in the smile on a young child’s face,
the shoulder I can lean upon?
You speak to us
in many ways.
Reveal yourself
in many ways
if our ears can hear,
our heart can feel,
our mind can know,
and our hands are open
to your touch

 


 

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When all seems well
With us and with the world,
When our yoke is easy
And the burden light,
You break in,
And scatter our complacency.

Into the daily cycle of our lives
When we are comfortable
And at our ease,
When the fire is lit
But eyes are closed,
You break in,
And challenge our dependency.

You break into
Our daily prayers,
Humble hearts,
Lay souls bare,
You break in,
You break in.

You break in,
When defences are down,
With an Angel's shout,
Or the quietest soun.d
You break in,
You break in.

And we change,
And all things change ,
When you break in.

 

 

 

 

Prayers from other sources


Let us make our way together, Lord;
Wherever you go I must go:
And through whatever you pass,
There too I will pass.

Teresa of Avila, 1515-82

 

 

Father, I am seeking:
I am hesitant and uncertain,
But will you, O God,
Wahtch over each step of mine
And guide me.

Augustine, 354-430

 

 

Lord, I am blind and helpless,
Stupid and ignorant.
Cause me to hear;
Cause me to know;
Teach me to do;
Lead me.

Henry Martyn, 1781-1812

 

 

Give us grace, O Lord, not only to hear thy Word with our ears, but also to receive it into our hearts and to show it forth in our lives; for the glory of thy great name.

Source unknown

 

 

May the strength of God pilot us,
May the power of God preserve us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the way of God direct us,
May the shield of God defend us,
May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil
and the temptations of the world.

Patrick, c389-c461

 

 

Let us have clean hearts ready inside us for the Lord Jesus,
so that he will be glad to come in, gratefully accepting the hospitality of those worlds, our hearts: he whose glory and power will endure throughout the ages.

Origen, c185 - c254

 

 

Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive you, intellect to understand you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you and life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Benedict, 489-543

 

 


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©John Birch · Prayers written by the author may be copied freely for worship. If reproduced elsewhere please acknowledge author/website
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