St. Michael's Church, Rocester

30/05/2026

30th May Prayers during holiday

Take a moment to listen to the still small voice of God within the bustle of the day which has begun.

I arise to day Through God's strength to pilot me : God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to save me From snares of devils. From temptations of vices, From every one who shall wish me ill, Afar and anear. Alone and in a multitude.

(from Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry, Meyer, Kuno, 1858-1919)



You have clothed this world in beauty,

from morning mist dissolving into summer day

to the splendid isolation of a mountain peak;

from flowers of the field in all their radiant hues

to butterfly emerging from chrysalis,

all speak of the artist’s vision and creativity,

the loving brushstrokes with which you paint.

And if you should take such care with these,

then who are we to doubt the value that you place

on those whose hearts contain the maker’s mark?

We shall not worry what tomorrow brings,

for even in sorrow you bring us joy

and instead shall praise you for all good things!

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34: 1-3)

Praising God in all circumstances was at the heart of early Celtic Christian thought:

"All our life is a celebration for us; we are convinced, in fact, that God is always everywhere. We sing while we work, we sing hymns while we sail, we pray while we carry out all life's other occupations. " Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) Theologian

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Father,

Creator and Sustainer,

who gives all good things seen and unseen.

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Son, Saviour and Redeemer,

who died for our sins and rose again.

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Spirit,

Teacher and Comforter,

who moves us to sing

‘Our God reigns!’

In you alone we put our hope.

Amen

29/05/2026

29th May Prayers during holiday



Gracious God,

Thank you for the gift of today.

Sun rising over a mountain

Refresh me. Invite me to discover your presence

In each person that I meet

And every event that I encounter.

Teach me when to speak and when to listen

When to ponder and when to share.

In moments of challenge and decision

Attune my heart to the whisperings of your Wisdom.

As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,

Gift me with simple joy.

When my day goes well, may I rejoice.

When it grows difficult, surprise me with

New possibilities.

When life is overwhelming, call me to

Sabbath moments

To restore your Peace and Harmony.

May my living today reveal your Goodness.



- Pat Bergen, C.S.J.



"How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose we know not, though sometimes sense it. But we know from daily life that we exist for other people first of all for whose smiles and well-being our own happiness depends."

--- Albert Einstein



So fill us with your love

that it might cascade

into the ordinariness

of our working lives,

and others experience

the warmth of its flow,

spreading from hearts

and words and deeds;

an unbroken stream

bringing refreshment

to all that it touches.



Psalm 136:1 - ‘O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.’

God’s love is constant and unchanging, forming the foundation for how we love others.



We are, all of us,

wonderfully made.

Young or old,

weak or strong,

we are able

to both receive

and give love,

to be blessed

and be a blessing,

to be singers

of the angels’ song

and point to the one

who gives us life.

We are, all of us,

wonderfully made.

Thank you, Creator God,

who loves each one.

Amen

28/05/2026

28th May Prayers during holiday



Silence will speak more to you in a day than the world of voices can teach you in a lifetime.

Find silence. Find solitude – and having discovered her riches, bind her to your heart.

Frances J. Roberts



The world belongs to God

the earth and all its people

Love and faith come together

Justice and peace join hands

Open our lips O Lord

And our mouths shall proclaim your praise.



We are called to remember our place in the world.

Creating God, Maker of all: be with us this day

Jesus Christ, Servant of the poor: be with us this day

Holy Spirit, Breath of life: be with us this day.



We have been shown what is good and what is needed:

To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in God. (Micah 6:8)



Move among us, O God, give us life

let your people rejoice in you

Make our hearts clean within us:

renew us in mind and in spirit

Give us again the joy of your help

with your spirit of freedom sustain us.





In work and worship:

God is with us

Gathered and scattered:

God is with us

Now and always:

God is with us

May the strength of God, the Source of all being, the wisdom of God, the Eternal Word, and

the joy of God, the divine Spirit abide with us this day.

Amen

Adapted from Iona Community Morning Prayer © Copyright Wild Goose Resource group 1999

27/05/2026

27th May Prayers during holiday

You have searched me and known me O God. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. (Psalm 139 v1-2



Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.



In the beginning O God.

You shaped my soul and set its weave.

You formed my body and gave it breath.

Renew me this day in the image of your love.

O great God, grant me your light

O great God, grant me your grace

O great God, grant me your joy this day

And let me be made pure in the well of your health.



Holy One beyond all names

Eternal Wellspring

May love rise again in us today

With food for every table

Shelter for every family

And reverence for every life.

Forgive us our failings in love

And free us from all falseness

That the light of our souls may shine

And the strength of our spirits endure

For Earth and all its people

This day, tonight, and forever.

Amen



For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life

John 3:16

Reflect on the gospel and on the Christ of the cross, suffering in the world with all those who are broken.



O Christ of the road of the wounded

O Christ of the tears of the broken

In me and with me, the needs of the world,

Grant me my prayers of loving and hoping,

Grant me my prayers of yearning and healing.

Pray for the coming day and for healing within and among people.



God before me, God behind me,

God above me, God beneath me.

I on your path O God

You, O God, on my way.

In the twisting’s of the road

In the currents of the river

Be with me by day

Be with me by night

Be with me by day and by night.

Amen



Celtic prayers from Iona

By J. Philip Newell.

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

26th May Prayers during holiday

Consider the challenge of your calling; to be set aside for service, to be the voice, hands and love of Christ in your neighbourhood and workplace.

It was not to the rich and famous,

the powerful intellectual or influential

that you came to earth and entrusted your Word,

but to fishermen,

outcasts and sinners,

ordinary people.

And to ordinary people like us

you have revealed the things of heaven

that we might become the bearers of Good News!

So we praise you, Lord for revelation and the message of Salvation.

Amen

John Birch

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Hebrews 3:1

If we had a fraction of the faith in you that you have in us then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we showed a fraction of the love that you show to us then this world would be transformed, Lord

If we possessed a fraction of the patience that you display with us then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we shared just a portion of the blessings that we have received from you then this world would be transformed, Lord.



Loving God, equip me

for the day ahead;

with love enough

to share within

the busyness of life,

patience with those

demanding time

and my resources,

wisdom in the way

that I engage in

daily conversation,

and the strength

I need to carry on,

when weariness sets in.

If we showed as much trust in others as you have shown in us then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we claimed just a fraction of the power you promised to your Church then this world would be transformed, Lord.

Transform us first, Lord, that we might transform this world through your love and your power.

Amen

25/05/2026

25th May Prayers during holiday

Enter this day knowing that God will lead you into understanding, of this world and your place in it, and His Word and its promises to you. Draw close to God and be His companion through this day.



My Lord and my God, take me from all that keeps me from thee.

My Lord and my God, grant me all that leads me to thee.

My Lord and my God, take me from myself and give me completely to thee



Nicholas of Flue (1417-87)



When our faith is weak

you strengthen us,

when we lose our way

you rescue us,

when we fall into sin

you forgive us.

Gracious Father,

please remind us

as we forget,

that your love is

unconditional,

always moulding us

into what we could be,

always blessing us

that we might glorify you.

For love,

grace

and forgiveness,

we thank you.



Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3 v22-23



On the journey of faith be our guide,

a helping hand if the path is steep,

encouragement should our steps falter,

reassurance that beyond the clouds

the sun is shining and our destination

is more glorious than we can imagine.

Amen

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:9-10

24/05/2026

24th May Prayers during Holiday

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.'

Acts Chapter 2

When was the last time

that we heard the wind of your Spirit

roar through this place?

When was the last time

your fire lit up this room?

When was the last time

we took you at your word

and met together in expectation

of your Spirit filling this place,

and these lives with your Glory and Power?

Lord, you challenge us with Pentecost.

Do we believe that this

was a once in eternity experience,

never to be repeated?

That the Holy Spirit was poured out

on your followers for a single purpose,

and ended His work at that instant?

If so, then maybe that is why the Church

seems so powerless in this age,

helpless when faced with the needs

both spiritual and physical,

that we see in the world.

Lord, as we meet together ,

and celebrate once again

the memory of that first Pentecost,

may it be for us as it was then

a moment of empowerment,

an awareness of your Glory in this dark world,

a life changing experience.



The Spirit came and your Church was born, in wind and fire and words of power.

The Spirit came blowing fear aside, and in its place weak hearts were stronger.

The Spirit came as your word foretold, with dreams and signs, visions and wonders.

The Spirit came and is here today, to feed the hearts of a world that hungers.

Amen

Faith and Worship

23/05/2026

23rd May Prayers during holiday



I arise today

embraced in the arms

of God the Father

empowered by the strength

of God the Spirit

immersed in the love

of God the Son

I arise today

in the company

of the Trinity

Father, Spirit and Son

I arise today



Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Into the daily cycle of our lives, When all seems well With us and with the world, When our yoke is easy And the burden light, You break in, And scatter our complacency.

Into the daily cycle of our lives, When we are comfortable And at our ease, When the fire is lit, But eyes are closed, You break in, And challenge our dependency.

You break into Our daily prayers, Humble hearts, Lay souls bare, You break in, You break in.

You break in When defences are down, With an Angel's shout, Or the quietest sound, You break in, You break in.

And we change, And all things change, When you break in.



Psalm 91v 1-4



Into the daily cycle of our lives,

When all seems well

With us and with the world,

When our yoke is easy

And the burden light, You break in,

And scatter our complacency.

Into the daily cycle of our lives,

When we are comfortable

And at our ease, When the fire is lit,

But eyes are closed,

You break in,

And challenge our dependency.

You break into Our daily prayers,

Humble hearts,

Lay souls bare,

You break in,

You break in.

You break in When defences are down,

With an Angel's shout,

Or the quietest sound,

You break in,

You break in.

And we change,

And all things change,

When you break in.



To Pray



Within the busyness of this day

may you sense God’s presence,

an inner warmth and strength

that can overcome adversity,

a sense of peace, a whisper

heard through the distractions

of daily life, uplifting, calming,

enabling, your assurance that,

whatever this day might throw,

you are well-equipped, ready

and willing to follow the call

to be God’s hands and voice

and make a difference today.

Faith and Worship

22/05/2026

22nd May Thought during holiday

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59 v16



O God,

I find myself at the beginning of another day.

I do not know what it will bring.

Please help me to be ready for whatever it may be.



If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.

If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.

If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.

If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.



I pray just for today, for these twenty-four hours,

for the ability to cooperate with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live.

"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

May these words that he taught us become more than words.



Please free my thinking and feelings and the thinking and feelings of others,

from all forms of self-will, self-centeredness, dishonesty, and deception.

Along with my brothers and sisters,

I need this freedom to make my choices today according to your desires.

Send your Spirit to inspire me in time of doubt and indecision so that, together, we can walk along your path.



- Adapted by J. Veltri, S.J.



"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a sunhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it." --- C.S.Lewis

To Pray

Into the daily cycle of our lives,

When all seems well

With us and with the world,

When our yoke is easy

And the burden light,

You break in,

And scatter our complacency.



Into the daily cycle of our lives,

When we are comfortable

And at our ease,

When the fire is lit,

But eyes are closed,

You break in,

And challenge our dependency.



You break into

Our daily prayers,

Humble hearts,

Lay souls bare,

You break in,

You break in.



You break in

When defences are down,

With an Angel's shout,

Or the quietest sound,

You break in,

You break in.



And we change,

And all things change,

When you break in.

Amen

21/05/2026

21st May

Prayers during holiday

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143v 8

Gracious God,

Thank you for the gift of today.

Sun rising over a mountain

Refresh me. Invite me to discover your presence

In each person that I meet

And every event that I encounter.

Teach me when to speak and when to listen

When to ponder and when to share.

In moments of challenge and decision

Attune my heart to the whisperings of your Wisdom.

As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,

Gift me with simple joy.

When my day goes well, may I rejoice.

When it grows difficult, surprise me with

New possibilities.

When life is overwhelming, call me to

Sabbath moments

To restore your Peace and Harmony.

May my living today reveal your Goodness.

- Pat Bergen, C.S.J.

Enter this day knowing that God will lead us into understanding, of this world and our place in it, and His Word and its promises to us. Let us draw close to God and be His companion through this day.

It is not ours to know

the time or place

when you will return.

We have enough to concern us

in these present times,

in the day to day business

of living.

But one thing is certain,

of this I am sure,

we are all a part of history,

and history has a purpose,

an end point,

a destination,

and we should live our lives

as if that destination

is ours also.

Lives lived with purpose,

watchful,

prepared,

in expectation.

For if the time is hidden,

it may catch us unawares,

our temples full

of unwashed linen,

dirt and debris.

Perhaps we'd better

get the dustpan out, Lord,

do some unseasonal spring cleaning!

Amen