Forgiveness

 

God of compassion, God of love

Grant us your gift of forgiveness

 

We pray for ourselves as we struggle with the hurts, disappointments and injustices which still rankle and disturb our hearts. Give us the grace to move beyond bitterness into the open place of letting go and letting be.

 

Lord in your mercy... hear our prayer

 

God of compassion, God of love

Grant us your gift of forgiveness

 

We pray for churches and communities where people are locked into distrust, resentment and bad feeling. May opponents be reconciled, may distrust be transformed into respect and may all come to live in harmony and justice

 

Lord in your mercy... hear our prayer

 

God of compassion, God of love

Grant us your gift of forgiveness

 

In our nation we pray for all situations of conflict and disagreement. Where the powerful exploit and the powerless suffer, where anger roars and despair whimpers -- shine the light of your truth and bring mercy, compassion and healing

 

Lord in your mercy... hear our prayer

 

God of compassion, God of love we now, in a brief moment of silence, bring before you those situations and individuals where we are aware of illness, distress and conflict: all those situations which need your healing forgiveness

 

Lord in your mercy... hear our prayer