Ishshah - Woman. Genesis 2v18-25

Our Father you have made men and women
Equal
Complementary
Not to rule but to serve each other.
We praise you for your plan displayed in marriage
We praise you for your plan displayed in the gift of singleness
We praise you for the way committed marriage models your commitment to us
We praise you that you have described the church as your bride
Forgive us
For sexism
For unfaithfulness
For adultery  
For discontentment
And for idolising sex
Help us to truly live for the day when we are wedded to your Son
Amen
In your image

Amandla - Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Father, you are a God who submits and serves.

May submission be my heart’s cry; and the desire for power be my enemy.

May I trust myself to others; may my honour not be my concern.

May I seek to serve rather than seek to rule.

May I give rather than take.

May I elevate others and humble myself.

May my status as loved and cherished by you define my identity rather than the alienation and anger of the world.

As we belong, united to each other; may we hold fast, united together.

May our obedience lead to blessing.

May service and sincerity be our goals.

As we become Christlike in all we do

Amen

Ephesians 5:21-33

Father, replace

Dominance with submission;

Narcissism with sacrifice;

Taking with giving;

Impurity with radiance;

Disdain with respect;

Depravity with holiness;

Ugliness with beauty;

Self-love with radical care;

Selfishness with love;

And conflict with peace.

For your glory alone

Amen

A Marriage Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You have designed us to be different,

You have engineered us to build each other,

You have knit us together with needles of brilliance,

And you have loved us!

But

Our hearts are turned inwards,

Our souls are restless,

Our tongues are dangerous,

And our lives are rebellious,

Yet you have loved us!

Your love is constant and sure,

Sacrificial and costly,

Cross shaped, life providing,

Resolute in the face of our provocation. 

Turn our hearts away from our selfishness Turn our souls towards you

Turn our love towards each other

And give us joy.

For your glory sake

Amen