So much knowledge at our finger tips, opportunities to influence people around us, but how much wisdom in our hearts and lives? That’s a question for us. Solomon had new found power and opportunity as king. What did he aspire to do with it?
Please come and pray for the life of our parishes. This will take place in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’. Coffee and croissants from 8:15am, followed by prayer for the life of our churches. Finished by 9.30am Please do join us.
This week we are asked to pray
Prayers for the week from "Roots on the Web" God of creation, as the world turns and we gaze again upon harvest fields, we pray for wisdom to enable us to understand and deal with the challenges posed by climate change. The seasons are no longer clearly defined, and weather often behaves in extreme ways. For ourselves and our loved ones, we pray for the wisdom to be prepared and to take care both at home and abroad; to be aware of the dangers posed by extreme heat, and the consequences of weather events such as wildfires and flooding. For our leaders and climate change experts, we pray for the knowledge to find solutions and the wisdom to use them, putting people before profits so that we may find ways to live safely in our rapidly changing world. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things.
Heavenly Father, we pray for all who are suffering from illness, whether they are at home or in hospital. These are difficult times for our health services; we pray for all who work within them, from indispensable cleaning staff and porters to those who must make difficult decisions regarding patient care and policy. May resources be distributed wisely and may no-one in need of care and attention fall through the net. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things.
Lord, as knife crime continues to make headlines, we pray for all who have been affected by this in recent weeks, months and years. We ask for insight to understand why people carry knives, and wisdom for those in positions of power who seek to do something about it. With the help of education programmes in schools, schemes to help disadvantaged teenagers from falling into wrong ways of thinking and behaving, and discernment from those who supervise mental health care, may our streets become safer places. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things.
Father, we pray for those in our own community who are in any kind of need today. Perhaps they are lonely; perhaps they are hurting in body, mind or spirit, not enough to draw attention, but silently suffering nevertheless. We pray for the wisdom to discern their needs and the understanding to help them. We pray for the bereaved, whose grieving goes on when the world around them has moved on; grant us insight into their pain, so that we might support them. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things.
Lord God, we pray for all who lead us, at local level, in our nation, or on the world stage. May they be unafraid to admit their vulnerability, as Solomon was; may they seek wisdom above all things, not for their own good, but for the benefit of those they serve. Instead of self-seeking and empty rhetoric, may we have leaders with understanding, discernment, and good judgment. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things.
In a world driven by social media, Lord Jesus, we pray for discernment in dealing with the conflicting messages we see there every day. May we have the wisdom to hold you as our example, rather than influencers; in our lives, let there be no place for ‘fake it until you make it’. Lead us to come before you in all our vulnerability and insecurity; answer our prayer for wisdom above all things, kneeling before you as Solomon did. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things.
Finally, Lord, grant us the wisdom to know how to pray. As we bow our heads in church or go forth into a new week with fresh challenges in our own homes and communities, may we have the insight to see where prayer is needed, the wisdom to use it and the understanding that you answer in your own time and manner. Lord, grant us wisdom above all things. Amen