Praying for our Nation

Praying for healing and reconciliation for our nation,

for wisdom for parliament and for hope for our future

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Praying for our nation

In the run up to the referendum the political debate became increasingly acrimonious and divisive. Following the result these disputes within the political parties have continued and we see the same divisions reflected in our society. Half our nation is hopeful for our future outside the EU, the other half is concerned for the future and grieving for what they feel is lost.

In this time of uncertainty, it’s important that we are praying for our nation; praying for the healing of divisions in our society, praying for wisdom for those in parliament, praying for the hopes and fears we have for the future and more

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TheEdgehillChurches

Edgehill Churche

PreparationO God, make speed to save us.O Lord, make haste to help us.

Hymn: Lord for the YearsLord, for the years your love has kept and guided,urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today.Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:Lord of the word, receive your people's praise.Lord, for our land in this our generation,spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.Lord, for our world where men disown and doubt you,loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you:Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us-self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,past put behind us, for the future take us:Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

Opening PrayerThat this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,let us pray with one heart and mind.As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,so may your mercy come down upon usto cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever.Amen.

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The Word of GodPsalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; ♦therefore can I lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures ♦and leads me beside still waters.

3 He shall refresh my soul ♦and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; ♦for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before mein the presence of those who trouble me; ♦you have anointed my head with oiland my cup shall be full.

6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow meall the days of my life, ♦and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Galatians 5:13-15It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one

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another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?

Philippians 4:4-8Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Romans 12:9-18Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what

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is noble in the sight of all.  If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

John 14.27Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 

Reflection

The reflection may be followed by a time of silence.

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ConfessionAn invitation to confession may be saidThe grace of God has dawned upon the world through our Saviour Jesus Christ,who sacrificed himself for us to purify a people as his own.So in the knowledge of God’s loving forgiveness, let us confess our sins.

The Coventry Litany of ReconciliationAll have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,Father ForgiveThe covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,Father ForgiveThe greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,Father ForgiveOur envy of the welfare and happiness of others,Father ForgiveOur indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,Father ForgiveThe lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,Father ForgiveThe pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,Father ForgiveBe kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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Hymn: Brother, sister let me serve you Brother, sister, let me serve you;let me be as Christ to you;pray that I may have the grace tolet you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,and companions on the road;we are here to help each otherwalk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christlight for youin the nighttime of your fear;I will hold my hand out to you,speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;when you laugh I'll laugh with you;I will share your joy and sorrow,till we've seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven,we shall find such harmony,born of all we've known togetherof Christ's love and agony.

Brother, sister, let me serve you;let me be as Christ to you;pray that l may have the grace tolet you be my servant too.

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PrayersResponse

Lord of life and loveHear our prayer

At the end of the prayersLord our God,accept the prayers of your peopleand in your mercy look with compassion upon our nation,for the sake of Jesus Christ our LordAmen

The following prayer is saidEternal God, Light of the nations,in Christ you make all things new:guide our nation in the coming days through the inspiration of your Spirit,that understanding may put an end to discord and all bitterness.Give us grace to rebuild bonds of trustthat together we may work for the dignity and flourishing of all;through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen

The Lord’s Prayer is said As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,

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and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.Hymn: Great is the darkness Great is the darkness that covers the earth,Oppression, injustice and pain.Nations are slipping in hopeless despair,Though many have come in your name.Watching while sanity dies,Touched by the madness and lies.Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus,Pour out your Spirit, we pray.Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Lord Jesus,Pour out your Spirit on us today.May now your church rise with power and love,This glorious gospel proclaim.In every nation salvation will comeTo those who believe in your name.Help us bring light to this worldThat we might speed your return.Great celebrations on that final dayWhen out of the heavens you come.Darkness will vanish, all sorrow will end,And rulers will bow at your throne.Our great commission complete,Then face to face we shall meet.

The Commissioning In the midst of the storms in our nation… in the uncertainty for the future, in the anger and hatred we see emerging in our society, in the disputes within the houses of parliament, in the grief experienced by many… in the midst of these storms we are called to

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stay focused on Jesus Christ, to put our trust in him, to be his hands and feet in serving others, to bring his forgiveness, peace, healing and hope where it is needed most.

So I ask you:Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?With the help of God, I will.Will you persevere in resisting evil,and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?With the help of God, I will.Will you proclaim by word and examplethe good news of God in Christ?With the help of God, I will.Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,bringing peace where there is anger, hope where there is despair, healing where there is brokenness and reconciliation where there is division, in all these situations loving your neighbour as yourself?With the help of God, I will.Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society,by prayer for the world and its leaders,by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?With the help of God, I will.

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Then hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to MatthewGlory to you, O Lord. Jesus said, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Matthew 28:19-20

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The ConclusionMay the peace of God,which passes all understanding,keep your hearts and mindsin the knowledge and love of God,and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;And the blessing of God almightythe Father, the Son and the Holy Spiritbe among you and remain with you alwaysAmenGo in peace to love and serve the LordIn the name of Christ. Amen.

Some material in this service is reproduced from: Common Worship, Services and Prayers for the Church of England

are copyright  The Archbishop’s Council 2000, The Litany of Reconciliation is copyright © The Community of the Cross of Nails.

Images are from a copyright  free source and hymn lyrics reproduced by agreement CCLI licence number RW18-176820

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