Dear Lord,

Sometimes it was hard to believe you meant it. To take you literally when you told us we must never stop forgiving, no matter how often it happened, no matter how badly it hurt.

And we wondered whether we could ever do the things you asked when you told us to love those who despised us, lied about us, made no secret of the fact they were our enemies, abused us all they could.

You said such strange things, but they were such wonderful things, and you said them with an authority we couldn't dispute. Because you knew what you were talking about, so much better than we did. We should give up everything, - everything, – and follow in your steps, even be willing to lose our lives for the sake of your father's love.

And you were right, Lord. We see now that you were right all along. Because your love was the one thing that nothing could tarnish or degrade.

I guess you knew, too, that one day you'd have to suffer all those things yourself, even be willing to give your life for the sake of that love that was so deep within you.

Lord, help us to find that love. And when we have it let us give everything we have to keep it. Help us to revere it and adore it. Because your words were a truth we never understood.

Living with love like that is the most wonderful life there is... in your name, Lord,

Amen.

Lord it sometimes seems too difficult to reach our fellows or find a doorway into their lives. And yet, each day, you open doors for us, each day you show us windows through which we see your grace at work.

When others are carrying burdens or in distress, help us to open doors, so we can show you as the way to life, for you still stand at the door and knock. When we meet those who are lonely or unloved, let us show them what a friend they, too, can have in our Lord Jesus, for all our lives are made sacred by your love.

Grant us to show others a window of joy in our Lord, to release those whom grief or sadness have imprisoned, let us spend time with those in sickness and show them what a great healer they, too, can find in our Lord.

And on the wider stages of the world, you open doors so we can see the great human struggles with famine, or for freedom and democracy. Help us always to support those in that struggle, to put your love in the voice with which we speak, so that whosoever will, may come to life eternal in Christ. We ask it in his name,

Amen.

Dear Lord,

I offer you my weakness. I lay before you my humanity. I bring my failures to you, for they are made in love of you. And though your word is strong in my heart, my flesh so often fails you.

So I thank you Lord that you experienced temptation, that you felt the weakness of the flesh. I praise and glorify you for your triumph, but I worship you also because you understand.

And as in your grace you forgive my failures, so grant me to be ready with my own forgiveness when I meet the injuries of others. Sustain me when I am hurt by coldness. Let me see that I am blessed when I am slandered for your sake. For I labour to serve you in a society that feels no need of you.

Challenge me to think about my weakness. Uphold me when I put myself before my fellowmen, or even before you. Confront my prejudices and my easy assumptions. In your great mercy change me, that I may live for ever in the shadow of your love.

Lord, you are my strength. My power to live each day in the simple faith that you died for me, that I may ever be yours through your redeeming power.

Lord, I offer you my weakness. I lay before you my humanity. It is all I have to give. In the name of my Lord Jesus, Amen.

Help me to pay no regard to the cost, not to grow weary when my work is disregarded, and to find my rest only in your service. Come to me with your great strength, for in your power I can triumph when, alone, I fail.

Amen.

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