Prayer Words

Words of prayer for all occasions

Justice Words

With words we cry out for justice in our lives and our world. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 Explore these worship resources to discover ‘Justice Words’ relevant to […]

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The Touch — Sam Goodman, UK

The singular (me/I) might be replaced with the plural (us/we) for a prayer to include in corporate worship. Your hands hold me They meet me in prayer They comfort my spirit They show me that you care Your hands reach out to me They tell me that love forgives They lead me to a place […]

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In sighs too deep for words — Jim Burklo, USA

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. –Paul’s letter to the Romans 8:26 My newborn grandson in my arms, Asleep in guileless peace – Heaven brought to earth afresh In sighs too […]

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Becoming, a prayer — David Long-Higgins, USA

O Love, Thank-you for silence Rising, resting, holding Heart and mind In sacred submersion Of Spirit beyond my knowing But through which I am known. Gift descending or arising I know not how or why Only that eternity visits In the precious gift of now. Let me receive it Not trying to figure it out […]

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Journey Blessing, a psalm — Geoff Calvert, Zimbabwe

Geoff has taken the Tefilat Haderech, the Hebrew Traveler’s Prayer, and transformed it into a song (psalm) of praise and thanksgiving. Thank you that it is your will, beloved God of our forebears, that we are conducted in peace, that our steps are guided in peace, that we are upheld in peace, that we are […]

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Waiting Prayers – Sam Goodman, UK

(somewhere between prose/poetry and prayer) So many of my prayers Are in the ether in hospital chapels Littered at school gates Waiting for the no.29 bus to town And many of my prayers Are wept over graveyards Scattered like confetti at weddings Joyful at newborn pics A lot of my prayers scramble to decide What […]

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Tuning into life is a practice — Anna Blaedel, USA

Loving is sharing in beauty. Living is sharing in the earth’s great cycles–life and death, crucifixion and resurrection, germination and bloom, sorrow and wonder and solace. Our sorrow is deep. Our connection, pulsing too. Practicing resurrection is recognizing the love that flows through the heart of the world. Being alive is a gift. Tuning into […]

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Prayer and Action for Peace — Ana Gobledale, UK

Peace Your promise Our hope Peace in our communities… Unite us to raise our voices against violence in our homes in our churches in our schools in our work places Peace on our earth… Unite us to take a stand, to act to become eco-churches to go green in our homes and communities to demand powers […]

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Unfolding – David Long-Higgins, USA

O Love, Unfold me anew; For my spirit easily tightens Around yesterday’s too much Sadness and loss and worry. Stretch me open With an energy not my own But given as the gift of Life Revealing beauty within Already formed by You Before I even knew to notice. Yes, Love, ground me In Your forming […]

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Prayer Experience — Ana Gobledale, UK

The Phenomenon of Prayer I’d love to say that I pray without ceasing, but I do, cease that is. I would love to say that I pray with understanding, but I often pray from a place of not-knowing. I would love to say that I pray with a deep sense of connection to the Spirit, […]

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Rainbow Children, prayer – Warren Hartley, UK

Eternal One. You are the God in whom we live and move and have our being. We give you thanks for the diversity of life inherent in your creation and within each and every last one us, wonderfully made in your image. Today we particularly give you thanks for your Rainbow Children, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, […]

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There you are — Sam Goodman, UK

There you are In quieter moments In fragile sunrises In delicate tapestries There you are In words of encouragement In the tenderest touch In a subtle embrace There you are In sweeping majesty In roaring oceans In crashing thunder There you are In a stable On a cross In hope you are there

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Romans 12:9-21, a prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK

Proper 17 13th Sunday after Pentecost – Year A Paul makes it sound so easy. Just be sincere, determined, altruistic. Yet we find ourselves hesitant, shifty, unreliable, selfish. Just be zealous, hopeful, patient. Yet we feel tired, desperate, anxious. Just be generous, hospitable, harmonious. Yet we find ourselves hoarding, isolating, discordant. We want to make […]

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Progressive prayers — Rex A E Hunt, Australia

Prayers on every theme, for every occasion written over a 40 year ministry in the Uniting Church of Australia. ‘These sample prayers, written to be spoken, are logged in two groups: soft-theistic and non-theistic/post-theistic. They seek to be shaped by a progressive, post-liberal theology. When soft-theistic, they attempt to use new or different metaphors when […]

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Prayers of thanks — Katherine Baxter, UK

As we go about our busy and frenetic lives we thank you for your on-going unfailing love, that at times we almost forget is there. We thank you, that you are always present in our lives, behind and before us. Your love is so great that we know you will never let us down, you […]

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Sowing Seeds, Mark 4 prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 Mark 4:26-34 God, your ways continue to surprise and delight us. Thank you for the seeds you have sown in us. Encourage us to nurture them as they grow and develop in our inner being, rather than spend so much time and energy on […]

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Falling into temptation, the Lord’s Prayer anew

Ever felt uncomfortable praying ‘Lead us not into temptation’? Ever wondered why God would need to be asked to refrain from leading us toward that which tempts us? The French Catholic Church (Bishops, March 2018) has altered their translation of this troubling petition to read: ‘Ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentation.’  In English: ‘Do not […]

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ColourWeaving Prayer — David Yeo Poulton, UK

What of colour and faith?  What colour would you assign to love or to peace?  What colour symbolises God or Jesus?  How would you use colour to describe the feelings and emotions of trust, joy, anger, depression, dreams, hope, loneliness, or thankfulness? David explains: ‘As a Christian with dyslexia (dyslexia comes from the Greek meaning […]

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Cafe Church, Open Table — Growing in the habit of prayer

Theme:  Growing in the habit of prayer A complete Cafe Church worship service weaving together scripture, drama, reflection, conversation & communion Compiled & written by Ana Gobledale for Open Table This service is designed for a congregation gathered around tables.  It can easily be adapted for a more traditional setting. The Leader’s Sheet includes the entire […]

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Love words

What words express the mystery of love? Love felt? Love received? Love committed? Love lost? Love divine? Words of love express our care and compassion, inviting others into relationship. Explore these resources to discover ‘Love Words’ relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . […]

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Wisdom Words

Words to move us from indecision to certainty, from doubt to trust, from unknowing to knowing . . . Explore these resources to discover ‘Wisdom Words’ relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Wisdom Words’ […]

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Peace Words

What makes for peace? What words express the urgency of reconciliation and bridge-building, and our longing for trust and serenity? Explore these resources to discover ‘Peace Words’ and images relevant to your experience and situation, to use in both group worship and personal devotions. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Peace Words […]

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Praise Words

Words of praise exhilarate and empower, catapulting us into joyful action. Explore these resources to discover ‘Praise Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Praise Words’ resources . . .    

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Meditation Words

Words to slow the pulse, calm the breath, settle the soul . . . Explore these resources to find Meditation Words relevant to your experience and situation.   Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Meditation Words’ resources . . .    

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Strengthening Words

Words connect us to the power and strength we need to meet the day. Explore these resources to find ‘Strengthening Words’ relevant to your experience and situation.   Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Strengthening Words’ resources . . . Featured image:  African Beauty in opalstone by Peter […]

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Healing words

Words can reach out to pain and suffering, bringing renewal and new life. Explore these resources to discover ‘Healing Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Healing Words’ resources . . .  

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Hopeful words

Words of hope defy despair. Words of hope buoy us when we sink, hold us when we falter. Explore these resources to discover Words of Hope relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) ‘Words of Hope’ resources: an alphabetical listing

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Gratitude words

With what words do we express thanksgiving? How do we convey the depths of our gratitude? Words of thanks and gratitude illuminate the path of life. Explore these resources to discover ‘Gratitude Words’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Gratitude Words’ resources . […]

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Candlelight words

Accompanying a flickering flame, words bring light into the darkness, illumination into the wondering . . . Explore these resources to discover ‘Words by Candlelight’ relevant to your experience and situation. Newest posts . . . (images link to posts) Alphabetical archive of all ‘Words by Candlelight’ resources . . .  

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Prayer response to natural disasters — Meighan Pritchard, USA

When the earth shakes, the lightning flashes, the tsunami rolls across the waters;   when the snow whites out the roads, the floods wash out bridges and homes, the wildfires rage across the ridges;   when the tornados race through town, the hurricanes churn up the coast, the heat waves wipe out crops—   then, […]

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Prayer for peace, Order of St Luke — Tod Gobledale, Australia

Dearest Friend, gentle Spirit, breath of live, source of our being, from the peacefulness of silence, the silence that preceded Creation, your Word entered the void and said, ‘Let there be light.’ This afternoon we sit mindful that we are kin and covenanted to that Word and to your light. We are grateful to you, […]

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Psalm 105 prayer, Australia

Inspired by Psalm 105 Lectionary for Year A: Proper 12, 14, 17 and 20 We remember your wonderful works and we give thanks We sing praises, we tell of your strength, your faithfulness, your holiness, and we ask, how do we bring glory to you? Your judgements are over all the earth. You are mindful […]

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Soar, a poem — Nicola Slee, Australia:

Used with permission, from Nicola’s book, Seeking the Risen Christa (SPCK, 2011)  which can be purchased at Amazon.   Such a fast one You came running towards us Over the morning grass Then off, off forth on swing Sweeping smooth on a big wind Out of our sight I want to come with you Fly with […]

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Trinity of Love, prayer — Louise Gough, UK

Loving God who conceived life, originates ingenuity, embraces individuality, welcomes everyone, celebrates diversity, encourages unity, offers serenity, gifts simplicity, lavishes compassion, we worship you! Living Jesus who breathes our air, walks our streets, feels our pain, sheds tears, enjoys company, bubbles with laughter, holds our hands, we worship you! Gentle Spirit who strengthens fragile spirits, […]

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