A Prayer for the Fall link

Gracious God, As the season changes, we are reminded that you are an unchanging God,
but it is your desire to continue to change us–to mold and shape us,
to teach us to have faith like a child. Lord, be our teacher!
Lord, teach us to praise. We praise you for awe, wonder,
and excitement as new programs and plans are introduced in our denomination and individual churches this fall.
Lord, teach us to confess. At this time of year, we are inundated with busyness.
Forgive us, Lord, when our busyness overshadows you. Lord, teach us to be thankful.
We are thankful that in teaching us, you change us. Teach us, Lord, to trust in you for guidance and direction.
Lord, help us realize the magnitude of your grace and then to teach others what it means to live with that grace.
As we seek to further your kingdom, fill us with the same exuberance, wonder,
and awe that we see in children at the beginning of a new school year.
Amen

Prayer for those who have suffered abuse link

Almighty God & Everlasting Lord,
You are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
We pray this week for those who have been abused within our churches and the wider communities across our nation.

Have compassion upon all who have suffered the injustice, humiliation and pain of abuse
– sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual and all other forms of sinful conduct.

In the midst of their distressing circumstances, give them courage to speak.
May your perfect love drive out fear and anxiety.
In your mercy, create opportunities for these men, women and children to share their pain,
reveal their struggles and expose the hurtful actions of others.

Give grace, sensitivity and wisdom to all who will minister to the victims and survivors of abuse.
Strengthen those who have been abused with the certainty of your love for them.
In all things, we ask that your name be glorified and that we – your people –
do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before you.

We humbly plead these things in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
who died and rose and now sits at your right hand in glory.
Amen.

Prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi link

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
where there is injury, pardon
where there is doubt, faith
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
and where there is sadness, joy

O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to understand
to be loved as to love
for it is in giving that we receive
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
Amen

Psalm 82 NIV

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

Benediction – Numbers 6:24-26 link

The Lord bless you, and keep you:
The Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious unto you:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
Amen