Prayers for the week 8 – 12 July

1. Prayers for the week8 – 12 July Prayer theme: Finding God in all things The inspiration for prayer and reflection can come from a wide variety of sources. Music, art, a book, a film, the natural world, a friendship, all of these and more can inspire us to think more deeply about our lives and our place in the world. Read the poem, refection, prayer, listen to the music, look around you and ask yourself the question: Where do you find God?

2. Monday 8 July A reading from the book of Kings Go out and stand on the mountain,” the Lord replied. “I want you to see me when I pass by.” All at once, a strong wind shook the mountain and shattered the rocks. But the Lord was not in the wind. Next, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Finally, there was a gentle breeze, and when Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his coat. He went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Where or how does God show Himself to you?

3. Monday 8 July The Orange by Wendy Cope At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—The size of it made us all laugh.I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—They got quarters and I had a half.And that orange, it made me so happy,As ordinary things often doJust lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.This is peace and contentment. It's new.The rest of the day was quite easy.I did all the jobs on my listAnd enjoyed them and had some time over.I love you. I'm glad I exist. Wendy Cope was born in Kent in 1945. Following her graduation from St Hilda's College, Oxford, she spent fifteen years as a primary-school teacher. In 1981 she took up writing as a full-time occupation.

4. Tuesday 9 July One of the most popular prayers in the English-speaking world is known as “The Kitchen Prayer.” It was composed by KlaraMunkres, a retired school teacher from Savannah, Missouri, and reflects a profound understanding of the “universal call to holiness.” The Kitchen prayer by KlaraMunkres Lord of all pots and pans and things Since I’ve not time to be A saint by doing lovely things or Watching late with Thee Or dreaming in the dawn light or Storming Heaven’s gates Make me a saint by getting meals and Washing up the plates. Although I must have Martha’s hands, I have a Mary mind And when I black the boots and shoes, Thy sandals Lord I find. I think of how they trod the earth, What time I scrub the floor Accept this meditation Lord, I haven’t time for more. Warm all the kitchen with Thy love, And light it with Thy peace Forgive me all my worrying and make My grumbling cease. Thou who didst love to give men food, In room or by the sea Accept this service that I do, I do it unto Thee.

5. Tuesday 9 July Praying by Mary Oliver It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak. Mary Jane Oliver 1935-2019) was an American poet who won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

6. Wednesday 10 July John Rutter: For the beauty of the Earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlBkpAm3fhw

7. Tuesday 9 July When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often. Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “ and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”

8. Thursday 10 July A reading from the Gospel of Matthew Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me." Then the upright will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you? When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?" And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.“

9. Thursday 10 July O God, open our eyes that we may see the needs of others; open our ears that we may hear their cries; open our hearts that we may feel their anguish and their joy. Show us where love and hope and faith are needed, and use us to bring them to those places. Amen.

10. Friday 12 July Prayer by Carol Ann Duffy Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayerutters itself. So, a woman will lifther head from the sieve of her hands and stareat the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.Some nights, although we are faithless, the truthenters our hearts, that small familiar pain;then a man will stand stock-still, hearing his youthin the distant Latin chanting of a train.Pray for us now. Grade 1 piano scalesconsole the lodger looking out acrossa Midlands town. Then dusk, and someone callsa child's name as though they named their loss.Darkness outside. Inside, the radio's prayer -Rockall. Malin. Dogger. Finisterre. Dame Carol Ann Duffy was born in 1955 and raised in the Catholic Church. She is a Scottish poet and playwright. She is Professor of Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and was appointed Britain's Poet Laureate in May 2009. She is the first woman, the first Scot, and the first openly LGBT person to hold the position. Her poems address diverse issues including spirituality, oppression, love, loss and gender.

11. Friday 12 July Examen: Where have you found God this week? Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks.​ Who have you left a good memory with this week? Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences.​ Give thanks for who you are. As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? Ask God to help you.