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| Ruth Gleaning. Study for the Painting 'The Gleaner', Sir Joseph Noel Paton, 1844 – Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art |
Prayers written for the Business Harvest Festival at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 5th October 2022, based on the theme of ‘margins’ inspired by the message of Stephen’s excellent sermon, inspired by the Jewish practice of leaving the edge of the fields unharvested to make the grain available for the poor to glean (Deuteronomy 24.19).
God
of the margins,
We pray for the church
throughout the world; for all who use their gifts to glorify your name.
Strengthen those who
practice their faith where the margin of safety is slim.
Guide your church to
become a marginal habitat; a dynamic place of nurture, transition and
change,
where we are each able to
grow in your likeness;
offering space for
reflection; a margin
on the story of our lives.
We welcome into your
fellowship the recently baptised, including Leonora, and all those beginning a
new chapter in their life of faith.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
God of the margins,
We pray for peace across
the world and for all those using their gifts to bring an end to violence and
hostility, remembering especially the people of Ukraine and Russia.
Send your wisdom upon all
with authority and influence that they may narrow the margins between your
people and work for the good of all.
Help us to hear the cries
of those who see the damage we are causing by squeezing the margins of your
creation.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
God of the margins,
We pray for this great
City; for all who live, work and visit here.
We give thanks for all
those using their gifts to push the margins of our understanding; innovating
new ways to live life in all its fullness, as you
intended.
Shine your light upon all
those who feel anxious and under pressure at
home and at work as margins become tighter.
Help us to see beyond the
margins of our blinkered vision. To love all our neighbours, especially those
on the edge.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
God of the margins,
We pray for the sick and
vulnerable. For those who feel on the margin between life and death.
Strengthen those who use
their gift of healing; for doctors, nurses, therapists and especially here at
St Stephen Walbrook, for the work of the Samaritans.
We remember by name those
for whom our prayers have been asked; John, Melvyn, Sue, Patrick, Carol, Peter,
Francine, Caroline, Sam, Martin and Sophia, Juliette and her family, Jonathan,
and Sarah.
May they know that we are
never marginalised from your love for each of us; through which may they know
our love for them.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
God of the margins
We pray for the repose of
the soul of Latichia and Peter and all the faithful who have recently crossed
beyond the margin of our earthly vision and whose now reside in union with you;
in the company of St
Stephen and all the saints;
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ
Amen
Image : Ruth Gleaning. Study for the Painting 'The Gleaner', Sir Joseph Noel Paton, 1844 – Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
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