Steve and Lindsey celebrated Elizabeth’s first birthday in March with a big party with everyone at the project! It was a fun afternoon for both her and the kids to enjoy some games, a piñata, and of course, CAKE! Steve and Lindsey would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and for strength and encouragement to continue forward amid various unresolved difficulties and questions: personal situations the staff team are facing, children who continue to miss school or not
Lithuanian Harp Recital by Emilija Karaliūtė at St Mary’s This Sunday, 17th May, at 4pm St Mary’s will be welcoming Emilija Karaliūtė, who plays the kanklės, which is similar to a UK classical harp for versatility and range and sound but is a flat instrument rather than an upright one.
God of all grace, though we are often afraid as the first disciples were, we trust that you hold us in your wounded hands. We pray for people who are persecuted for their faith and for people whose faith leads them to speak out against injustice, at great risk to themselves. May we not be surprised when our faith is tested by life and its struggles, keep us all firm in our desire to serve you, although it may cost us everything. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
God of all grace, though our government seems precarious and divided and people are agitated and angry and experiencing hardships, we pray for them. We pray for calm, competent and brave government that delivers the change that our society needs and ask that all members of the government, and that we and all people, will make wise rather than self-serving choices. We pray for international leadership that seeks peace with justice, remembering the attacked and wounded, the refugees and homeless in the Ukraine and the Middle East. And we pray for urgent action to eliminate the starvation, disease, trauma and suffering caused by war, Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
God of all grace, though our efforts seem so small when so much need surrounds us, we ask for your strength. We pray for members of our community who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others and for people who do the mundane and often unnoticed work that our lives depend upon. We pray for volunteers in our church community, giving thanks for their unassuming but generous service to others. May we treat one another with gentleness and kindness and understanding. May we carry each other through when life causes us pain. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
God of all grace, though life can be hard and sometimes we cannot see the way ahead teach us to trust you when darkness surrounds us. We pray especially for anyone who today feels despairing or overwhelmed by life; and for the sick and the lonely…. May they know of your comfort, healing in whatever way is right and your love. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
God of all grace, though our planet suffers and all its creatures cry out for freedom from harm, we do not always see that our actions matter. Challenge us to bring beauty and healing to this good earth, before it is too late. We pray for conservationists, scientists and activists; for people who work to protect our habitats, ecosystems, waterways, coastlines and wildlife; for all who reveal the wonder of the world to us; and for all who confront us with the impact of our lifestyle and choices. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
God of all grace, give us the power of your Holy Spirit and equip us to do the painstaking work of creating heaven on earth. May we be faithful companions of Jesus in his work of transformation. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.