Greeting: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sentences: My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest; says the Lord. Exodus.33: 14

Opening Prayers: Beneath each of us are the everlasting arms of God. They bear the prints of the nails. No matter how far we have sunk, he descends to lift us up. He has plumbed al the hells of this world that he may lift us upwards. He is our firm support.

God of love, surround us in your love today and hold us always close with your divine mercy. Give us grace to live this day seeking, expecting and trusting in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Introduction to Confession: Christ walks in our past. He walks in all the dark places we pretend are closed that he may bring light. Today we invite him into our past to experience his forgiveness and acceptance of us. Today we offer everything we are ashamed of; all that we wish to forget; all that still pains and hurts us; all the hurt we have caused others. Now let us walk in all the places we are afraid of, knowing that he walks with us and will lead us on.

A Prayer in Brokenness: O Lord Jesus Christ, take us to yourself, draw us to the foot of your cross, for we do not have the strength to come and do not know the way. Lord we cannot undo the past, or make it never have happened. But we humbly ask you: “Please God, would you write straight with my crooked lines? Out of the serious mistakes of my life would you make something beautiful for you?” Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.

from Psalm 27  The Lord is my light, my light and salvation. In God I trust. In God I trust.

Reflection: At this time of the Church’s Year, God reveals the development of his Church and spread of his message. Let us reflect on the way that the Spirit of God’s love is at work in our lives. Let us discover how we can learn to look, to listen and to love so we can show others how much God loves them. And, as we do, let us pray that God’s light will illuminate our lives and that his Holy Spirit will direct and transform us.

Declaration of Faith: To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, And we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy one of God Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. Amen

Prayers for others: Today we pray for those in need. We pray for our Church family in the parish, in the Deanery, in the Diocese and across the world. We pray for Christ’s Mission in the world. Especially today, we pray for all those affected by the Coronavirus. We remember those who have died and all their loved ones. We pray for those working in hospitals and the community. We pray for those engaged in research for a treatment and a cure. We pray for all those who make it all happen. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Canticle: Christ, as a light, illumine me and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and on my right. This day be within and without me, Lowly and meek and all powerful. Be within the heart of each to whom I speak; In the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and on my right.

Prayer: Lord show us where there is loneliness that we may show friendship. Show us where individuals are not seen as persons, that we may acknowledge their identity. Show us where there is alienation, that we may take reconciliation. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessing: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever he may send us. May he guide us through the wilderness and protect us through the storm. May he bring us home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown us. May he bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors. Amen.

Closing: Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord in the name of Christ. Amen

This Celtic Morning Prayer was adapted from Celtic Daily Prayer, by the Northumbrian Community, 1st published in GB in 1994 by Marshall Pickering. We pray using this service monthly when we are at Church.