APRIL Lead me this day, Lord, not only to be of service to others but to ensure that I find quiet moments for myself and for you.

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Let us pray:

Jesus, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

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Let us pray:

Lord, we ask
that we may have the vision
to see when something is not right
and then try to do something
about it:
- that we may notice
when someone is unhappy
or isn’t well,
and set out to encourage them;
- that we may notice
when someone feels left out,
and then do what we can
to help them feel part of things;
- that we may notice
when something needs to be done,
and then get on with it.
Lord, we ask that we may notice
all that is around us,
and live in a positive
and cheerful way.
Amen.

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Let us pray:

Father, sometimes I am too quick
to draw conclusions
about other people,
and I fail to see
many of the qualities in individuals.
Remove from me any prejudices
that might lead me
to think of myself
as “better” than someone else.
If anyone should be negative
towards me,
inspire me to remain positive
towards them.
Because we are all different,
there are many things
I need to learn from others,
and so I ask for the gifts
of understanding and wisdom
and a clear vision
that will lead me to treat others
as I would like them to treat me.
Amen.

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Our response to the prayers will be:
“hear our prayer.”

Hear our prayer

Let us pray that we may discover
what is really important in life.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.

Let us pray that we may respect and value
each person who comes into our lives.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.

Let us pray that we may be willing to
learn from others.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those who will experience
hatred, abuse, and violence this day.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.

Let us pray for people of violence,
that their attitude and behaviour
may change.
Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayer.

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Let us pray:

Lord, inspire me to give of my best
and make good use
of the talents you have given me.
Show me how to be positive in attitude,
appreciating and valuing others,
always being ready to encourage
and give praise.
Sometimes I draw conclusions
about people
in terms of what I think
is meant by “success” and “failure”,
but the “failure” of one person
might count as a great “success”
of someone with other talents.
Lead me never to judge people
but to accept others as they are,
knowing that it is together,
each with our differences,
that we build up your Kingdom.
Amen.

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Let us pray:

Loving Father,
to you the dead do not die
and, in death, our life is changed
- not ended.
We believe
that all that binds us together
in love and friendship
does not end with death.
Hear our prayers for those close to us
who have died.
As you have made each of them
in your image and likeness
and have called them by name,
hold them safe in your love
in your kingdom
of light, happiness and peace.
Your Son told us
that those who mourn are “blessed”,
because only those
who love greatly can mourn.
Bless us this day
with the warmth of your love
as we mourn those we have lost.
Amen.

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Words by Abraham Lincoln 1865, used in the writing of the prayer:

Grant, O merciful God,
that with malice toward none,
with charity to all,
with firmness in the right
as you give us to see the right,
we may strive to finish
the work we are in:
to bind up the nation’s wounds,
to care for those
who have borne the battle
and for their widows and orphans,
to do all which may achieve and cherish
a just and lasting peace
among ourselves and with all nations.
Amen.

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Let us pray:

God our Father,
amidst the vastness of space
you treasure mankind
and you call each of us by name.
You so love our world
that, in the fullness of time,
you sent Jesus, your Son,
to live among us.
Inspire us each day
to live in wonder and appreciation
of all that is around us,
and may your love,
seen fully in Jesus, your Son,
surround us this day and for ever.
Amen.

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5 Let us pray:
Lord, our God and King,
your greatness is seen
throughout the earth.
6 When I gaze at the heavens
which your fingers have formed,
and look at the moon and the stars
which you have set there,
I realise how small we are
in the majesty of your creation.
7 Yet you treasure us
above all that you have made,
and you give us control
over all the works of your hand
- animals both wild and tame,
birds in the air,
and the creatures of the sea.
Lord, our God and King,
your greatness is seen
throughout the earth.
(Psalm 8, paraphrased)

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Let us pray:

God our Father,
may all that we see and experience
lead us to grow
in wonder and respect.
that we may value and be thankful
for everything in our lives each day.
Inspire us to choose wisely
and live positively,
and make good use
of our knowledge and talents,
both for ourselves
and for the benefit of others.
Amen.

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Dear God,

First, my car broke down
I was very late for work
But I missed that awful accident
Was that your handiwork?


I found a house I loved
But others got there first
I was angry, then relieved
When I heard the pipes had burst!


I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blessed
For no matter what I pray for
You always know what's best!

I have this circle of E-mail friends,
Who mean the world to me;
Some days I "send" and "send,"
At other times, I let them be.


I am so blessed to have these friends,
With whom I've grown so close;
So this little poem I dedicate to them,
Because to me they are the "Most"!

When I see each name download,
And view the message they've sent;
I know they've thought of me that day,
And "well wishes" were their intent.

So to you, my friends, I would like to say, !
Thank you for being a part;
Of all my daily contacts,
This comes right from my heart.

God bless you all is my prayer today,
I'm honored to call you "friend";
I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we write again.


Happiness comes through doors you didn't know you left open.

Original prayer not available.

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Lord, I have knelt and tried to pray tonight, But Thy love came upon me like a sleep, And all desire died out; upon the deep Of Thy mere love I lay, each thought in light Dissolving like the sunset clouds, at rest Each tremulous wish, and my strength weakness, sweet As a sick boy with soon o'erwearied feet Finds, yielding him unto his mother's breast To week for weakness there. I could not pray, But with closed eyes I felt Thy bosom's love Beating toward mine, and then I would not move Till of itself the joy should pass away; At last my heart found voice, - 'Take me, O Lord, And do with me according to They word.' For me there is something comforting in this sonnet by Edward Dowden. There is great trust in it. Maybe evening prayer is found as much in a relaxed sleepiness as in an earnest wakefulness. - Celia Haddon (The Year Book of Love and Wisdom)

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Let us pray:

Lord, inspire me always
to have genuine care and concern
for others,
and may people be as generous to me
as I am to them.
Amen.

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