A  prayer in gratitude for Christ

Father you have granted to us the greatest of privileges

We  are brothers and sisters of Jesus

Not because of our goodness but because of your mercy

Thank You

You know that we love you because of what you have done

But our love is shallow and often cold

Warm us

Change us

And grow us that we might be more like our brother and our saviour

Fill us with the fruit of goodness

Make us merciful amidst selfishness

Joyful in a world of misery

Grateful in a world of grumbling

Peaceful in a world of striving

Patient in a world of anger

May we be kind with the hurting

Gentle with the weeping

Faithful in commitment and friendship

And self controlled in the midst of licence

Forgive us for the times when we are more like Satan than Jesus

For the times when we secretly tolerate lust and idolatry.

Forgive us that we succumb to the lure of wealth and the comforts of ease

Forgive us a lack of courage to stand for good and speak prophetically to our friends.

Forgive us where we have tolerated racism and allowed ourselves to scorn the poor

Forgive us and have mercy on us

That we might be more like our brother the Lord Jesus Christ

In his name we pray

Amen