That you may know - Ephesians 1:15-23

Father you are uniting all things in Christ,

You give to us faith in Jesus,

And love for the saints.

Give us your Spirit,

Give us wisdom,

Give us revelation/light,

That we may know you!

Open our eyes,

Open our hearts,

To know the hope to which you have called us,

The riches of your glorious inheritance,

And the greatness of your power for us;

Shown in the resurrection, ascension, exaltation and rule of Jesus.

God at Work - Ephesians 1:3-14

Our God and Father

You have blessed us,

Chosen us,

Predestined us for adoption.

You have redeemed us,

And forgiven us,

Lavished your grace on us,

And united us with Christ.

You have granted us an eternal inheritance,

And sealed us with your Holy Spirit

To the praise of your glory…

In Christ - Ephesians 1:1,2

Father, you willed to raise apostles,

You called them to speak of Christ Jesus.

You created a church of saints,

You gave us faith,

And you brought us in to Christ Jesus.

Thank you for grace,

Thank you for peace,

Thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Life in Groups - Racism

Father forgive me that I have not seen your image in people;

That my fear of others has conquered my love.

Forgive me that I have not seen the blood of your son shed for all people;

But have instead thought your death was for me alone.

Forgive me that I have not seen the images of heaven;

Of a people gathered around your throne from every tribe, language and nation.

Transform my heart to be like your heart;

And my eyes to see what you see;

And my life to be as your death;

That I may love all people;

As you love us.

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

Double Think

Father,

Forgive me that I compartmentalise my life.

That there are areas where I will let you in and there are areas that I shut you out.

Show me more areas where I haven’t let you in. Open up all of my heart to you.

Make my love for you complete.

Turn my wayward heart totally towards you.

Give me total dedication.

Total submission.

Total joy in being loved by you.

Total peace in your grace to me.

A single minded heart solely devoted to you.

Individualism

Father,

You are in perfect relationship,

The Trinity of service,

The unity of love.

Forgive us that this community is shattered,

In our hearts,

And our actions.

We live lives fueled by our own desires,

Striving for our own wants,

Lonely and afraid.

Turn our hearts outwards towards others,

And upwards towards you.