CALL TO PRAYER: SUNDAY 4th October 2020 Prayer @ 7pm

As we journey through these days, we will come to occasions of real significance that will mark out its future shape and course. However, we might only come to appreciate the significance of those occasions as we look back and reflect. We are not yet in a place where we can look back and understand all that has happened in these past months. History has yet to be written. However, the events of our times will shape that history in ways that we can only anticipate.

The journey of the people of Israel described in the Book of Exodus takes them to many places and occasions of significance. The journey to Mount Sinai and the significance of receiving the commandments of the Lord is one such. Traditionally, we refer to these as the Ten Commandments and their giving is a moment of profound significance in the Exodus story. This part of the story begins with a recalling of the fact that it is the Lord their God who has delivered them. In turn, the Commandments offered set out the boundaries within which the community of Israel may live and flourish. (Exodus 20: 1-4, 7- 9, 12-20) In these difficult times, let us recollect that it is the Lord our God who will deliver us and who offers to us life and the hope that our communities will flourish once more. We pray:

Lord our God,
We recall that you are the One who journeys before us. As you have journeyed with us in times past,
Journey with us now
In all that we face as the people of God.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We recall that you are the One who offers life To all who call upon you.
We call upon you now

And trust that you will answer in your good time. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We recall that you are the One who speaks to your people And offers to them the word that brings life.
May your word spoken to us this day
Bring life and the promise of hope once more.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We recall that you are merciful and gracious
And that you abound in love.
Grant us understanding to speak words of comfort And wisdom to speak words of hope.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We recall that your Son invites us to love you With heart and soul and mind
And to love our neighbour as ourselves. Grant us grace to do so in these times.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.