Give unto us, O Lord, that quietness of mind in which we can hear you speaking to us, for your own name’s sake. Lord. you hast taught us in your word that there is a time to speak
and a time to keep silence.

As we thank you for the powers of speech,
we pray for the grace of silence.

Make us as ready to listen as we are to talk.
ready to listen to your voice in the quietness of our hearts
and ready to listen to other people who need a sympathetic ear.
Show us when to open our ears and when to hold our peace
that we may glorify thee both in speech and in silence
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Frank Colquhoun


How wonderful, O Lord, are the works of Your hands!
The heavens declare Thy glory,
the arch of sky displays Your handiwork.
In Your love, You have given us the power
to behold the beauty of Thy world
robed in all its splendour.
the sun and the stars, the valleys and the hills
all disclose Your presence.
The roaring breakers of the sea tell of
your awesome might.
The beasts of the field and the birds of the air
bespeak Your wondrous will.
In Your goodness you have made us able
to hear the music of the world. The
voices of loved ones reveal to us that
Your are in our midst.
A divine voice sings throughout all creation.

adapted from Psalm 104


When we draw close to your richness and glory
we realise our poverty and emptiness.
When we draw close to your righteousness and justice
we see how much we have missed the mark.
Lord, be merciful to us,
forgive us all that is wrong in us,
change what needs to be changed in us.
Thank you, Father, that we can be sure
of your forgiveness and love,
for we have seen it in Jesus,
and know it in the gift of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Copyright….. Margaret Crofts


Keep me as the apple of Thine eye,
Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings

Psalm 17