Fifth anniversary

 The prayers I led at my Institution and Induction on 28 June 2017:

In the Gospels we read

the angel Gabriel greeted Mary and said

 ‘Do not be afraid for God has been gracious to you’.

So we pray for the life and people of St Gabriel’s, Stanbury

and for the community of which it is part.

And we pray the announcement of the grace of God around us

will always cast out our fears.

Be gracious with your people, O Lord.

 

In the Gospels we read

James and John sought prominence for themselves and destruction for others

Jesus rebuked them and promised the way of the Cross instead.

So we pray for the life and people of St James’, Cross Roads

and for the community of which it is part.

And we pray the finding of God’s ways around us

will fashion our service of others.

Be rigorous with your people, O Lord.

 

In the final book of the Bible we read

war broke out in heaven

Michael’s and his angels cast Satan down.

So we pray for the life and people of St Michael’s, Haworth

and for the community of which it is part.

And we pray the trampling down of evil around us

will bring abuse, conflict and terrorism to an end.

Be generous with your people, O Lord.

 

Gracious, rigorous, generous God,

as we are held in your grace,

as we seek to live your way,

as we hold the cries of the world in our prayers,

we once more say:

Our Father...