Pastoral Prayer for August 20, 2023

Living God, we seek your presence now.

Our minds cannot understand you,

     yet our hearts cry out for a living relationship with you.

Our eyes cannot see you,

     yet without you there would be nothing to see.

Our faith cannot grasp you,

     yet in you we live and move and have our being.

Our way ahead into this week is hidden from us,

     yet we trust that you have prepared a way through for us.

Renew our vision of the eternal truths

     in the light of which our day-to-day lives must be lived.

Open our eyes to see you presence

     in the simple glories of everyday things.

Light up our relationships with other people

     through the inspiring example of how Jesus related to others.

Help us to see where we went wrong in the past,

     that we may be able to take our bearings afresh for the way ahead.

In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.