Can Religion Save? 

Acts 17:16-34

Father you have commanded all people everywhere to repent.
Forgive our religion.
Forgive our worship of other gods.
You have raised Jesus from the dead so that we can be certain
May we join with the saints of ages as we too believe.
Secure in the salvation that you have won for us.
And send us to speak for you the great and mighty God.
Amen

We need a king - 1 Samuel 7:1-8:22

Father we stray from you,

And we seek other gods with all our hearts.

We seek fame, comfort, leisure, money, sport, control, happiness and esteem.

May we return to you and serve you alone

·     Run only ever towards you

·     Desire only to listen to you

·     Seek your fame

·     Suffer your death

·     Be spent in the advance of your kingdom

·     And be secure in the shadow of your wings.

We have sinned against your greatness

And so today we cry out to you for your salvation knowing that you are Ebenezer - the LORD who helps us.

Day by day God is working his plan - Genesis 24

Father as we see your hand at work moving history towards your purposes.

We confess that

we are working for our own glory

we seek our own desires

we want our own way;

Little realising that the joy we seek is not found there.

As you show us your hand at work

Give us confidence in your plan

Help us to trust your love towards us

May we align our lives in accordance with truth

And in so doing experience your joy and peace.

May our strivings cease, and our confidence and trust in you grow ever stronger.

May our agendas pale and wane as we are increasingly give ourselves to your kingdom and your glory.

We pray for Jesus sake

Amen

A Listening Return - Zechariah 1:1-6

Father of words;

You have been angry with our ancestors

Because they have not listened.

You have called us to return.

You have promised to return to us.

Give us ears that listen,

And wills that are attentive.

Give us repentance we pray;

Hearts turned towards your words.

Amen

Life with Money - Materialism

Father,

Our hearts want more.

Our lives are full of our possessions,

They consume our money;

Our time;

Our thoughts;

And our dreams.

We are fearful that they will be removed;

Fearful that you will not supply;

Fearful of want;

When we should be fearful of missing you;

And fearful of eternity.

Transform our thinking.

Make us to question our assumptions.

And repent of our inner values.

Grow our generosity.

Stretch our gratitude.

Simplify our lives.

Give us financial modesty.

And fill us with contentment.

For your glory alone

Romans 2:1-16

Father, 

I am quick to judge everyone else,

And slow to judge myself.

I am quick to presume on your kindness and patience,

And slow to repent.

I am quick to forget that the day of wrath is coming,

And slow to live a life that is worthy.

I am deserving of your wrath and fury,

I do not do good and there is so little repentance in me.

My heart is hard and wayward.

I have heard the law but I have not done it,

And my conscience condemns me.

You know my secrets,

And they are vile.

Have mercy on me.

Do not treat me as I deserve,

And may your kindness bring me to repentance.

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

James 4:6

Father, 

Give me a submissive will.

Strengthen me to resist the devil.

Draw me near to your heart.

Cleanse my hands.

Purify my heart.

Keep me from double-mindedness.

Turn my laughter to repentance.

Turn my frivolity to mourning

And humble me before you.

Amen