What have we done to this King of glory, the LORD high and mighty?

God, Holy One,

We bow our heads, we bend our knees and we break ourselves from this world.  Give ear to our words, O LORD; consider our groaning.  Listen to the sound of our cry.

We wait in desperation for you.  In the darkness we long to see your light.  Where have you gone, LORD?  In this bloodthirsty generation, what have we done to your name?  Answer us when we call, O God of righteousness.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." (Isaiah 60:1)

Drag us out of our slumber, LORD.  Breathe your Spirit into the dryness of our bones.  We weep over this generation.  We weep over this land, over the streets, over the wastelands.  We weep over this world, your creation.  Let us arise!  Let us shine!  Let us speak your hope as our eyes are lifted up all around.

May your Kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Amen.

Jesus, the hope of all who trust you;

the power of all who serve you;

the wisdom of all who follow you;

the uniter of all who worship you.

Grant us light at the beginning of this year;

Fill us with strength and boldness according to your promises,

That we might reach our needy nation, with your love, in this year of Hope.

We humbly acknowledge our weakness and failure,

But our eyes are fixed on you.

Fulfil your purposes and plans that your name may be honoured in our land.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Father,

Thank you that in a world of despair,

You are our Hope.

In a world of darkness,

You are our Light.

In a world of sorrow,

You are our joy.

Help us to share the Hope of our hearts with one another

Enable us to give Hope to others through Your work amongst us

Use us to transform our nation and to spread Your Hope to every corner of this nation.

May our land flourish by the preaching of Your word and the praising of Your name. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Holy God, our only hope is in You.  We thank you for the past, trust you for today and believe for the future; that all Your promises will come to pass so we can rest forever in Your love.  Amen

A prayer of hope (from Hope for Hull '08)

(based on Psalm 69 v.13Living Bible translation)

Lord God, as we look out across this area we see so much that needs to be done, so many who need to be helped in body, mind and spirit. 

Our time and resources are limited and often inadequate; sometimes we just don't know what to do.

But we will keep on praying to you, O Lord.

For now is the time!

You are bending down to listen.

You are ready with a bountiful supply of love and kindness.

Now answer our prayers for this place and its people, as you have promised.

Strengthen and encourage us to stand together for you as we seek to bring fresh hope to these communities where you have placed us.

We ask this in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ – Saviour, Healer and Restorer of Hope.

Amen

Methodist Covenant Prayer

The Methodist Church has a wonderful "Covenant Service" for the beginning of the year, based around the prayer which is printed below. (The full service is in the Methodist Worship Book, 1999, together with a more modern-language version of the Prayer ).

As Clive Marsh writes, "The words 'put me to doing, put me to suffering,' ... do not mean that we ask God to make us suffer, but rather that we desire, by God's help, actively to do and patiently to accept whatever is God's will for us."

Here's the prayer, to say alone, in a small group, or as a whole congregation.

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Prayer for Family

Father I pray for my family members that we would be a family in your Kingdom. I agree with the declaration of the Jailer (Acts 16.30ff 'what must I do to be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household') So today Lord, I pray in faith over my family that everyone would have a personal encounter with you, that they would know your grace and understand your sacrifice, in Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer for Christian unity

Lord Jesus Christ, You prayed for us to be one, just as You and Your Father are one.  Please forgive us when we shut ourselves off from our brothers and sisters and help us walk, work and worship together in the love that flows from Your cross.  Amen

Heavenly Father, as you have built the Church on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus as the chief corner stone, we pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit, all Christians may be joined together in the unity of the spirit and in the bond of peace. We pray too that the unity of your Church will draw all men to yourself and so bring glory to your Son through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for a church/group

Based on Acts 4:1-10

Lord Jesus Christ,

Let this church/ group/ friendship become your hands in this area, reaching people where they are at. Let us show love and acceptance to people, making ourselves less so that you can become more.

Let this church/ group/ friendship be your healing for the people around us. Show us again that you are a God of the miraculous, and that nothing is impossible for you. Spread rumours around this place of the things that you are doing. Let us be known as people who offer healing and kindness to those who need it.

Let this church/ group/ friendship be your mouthpiece – give us the courage to stand up when challenged and to proclaim your truths. Give us the words to make the mystery of your resurrection a reality in people's hearts and minds.

In Jesus' name. Amen