We know that some of you are missing your opportunity to pop into church, to sit quietly for a while and to reflect on the ideas on our prayer table.
So, we are trying to help with putting together a Virtual Prayer Table.
Here are some suggestions that you can use at home – and you can still send us a prayer request which we will pick up and use at our Monday Morning Prayer on Zoom (just like we used to do every week with the cards that were left on the board in church) – and perhaps at some of our other Zoom services as well.
If it’s a general prayer and you don’t mind anyone reading it, then feel free to just add it in the comments. If it’s more personal and you don’t want the whole of the world to know, then please send a pm to the Tadcaster Benefice Facebook page, or an email to the Administrator at stmarystadcaster@gmail.com and we will only share it with the few people who meet on Zoom to pray.
Please do use the ideas below and on the photos to help you to pray at this strange and sometimes difficult time.
At the moment, we might be finding things particularly difficult. We might struggle to find positive things to think about.
But as spring comes, we see signs of new life and hope around us, particularly lambs in the fields. We are reminded that God is our faithful shepherd. He cares for us through the good and the bad times.
The words of Psalm 23 talk about God being our Shepherd and being with us in all sorts of situations through life.
Read through the words and then spend some time reflecting on the pictures.
Try thanking God that He walks alongside you and all those who you love. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, try to imagine that God is holding your hand in the middle of all the darkest times. And then look forward to the celebrations when all this lockdown is over and we can again share with all those we love and are missing seeing in person.
Psalm 23 – a modern version
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 – a traditional version
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
A prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you that you see us right where we are,
in the midst of our pain and struggle.
Thank you that you have not forgotten us and never will.
Forgive us for not trusting you,
for doubting your goodness,
or not believing you’re really there.
Thank you that you care for us
and your love over us is so great.
We ask for your hope and comfort
to continue to heal our hearts where they’ve been broken.
Give us the courage to face another day,
knowing that with you before us and behind us, we have nothing to fear. Amen.
So, we are trying to help with putting together a Virtual Prayer Table.
Here are some suggestions that you can use at home – and you can still send us a prayer request which we will pick up and use at our Monday Morning Prayer on Zoom (just like we used to do every week with the cards that were left on the board in church) – and perhaps at some of our other Zoom services as well.
If it’s a general prayer and you don’t mind anyone reading it, then feel free to just add it in the comments. If it’s more personal and you don’t want the whole of the world to know, then please send a pm to the Tadcaster Benefice Facebook page, or an email to the Administrator at stmarystadcaster@gmail.com and we will only share it with the few people who meet on Zoom to pray.
Please do use the ideas below and on the photos to help you to pray at this strange and sometimes difficult time.
At the moment, we might be finding things particularly difficult. We might struggle to find positive things to think about.
But as spring comes, we see signs of new life and hope around us, particularly lambs in the fields. We are reminded that God is our faithful shepherd. He cares for us through the good and the bad times.
The words of Psalm 23 talk about God being our Shepherd and being with us in all sorts of situations through life.
Read through the words and then spend some time reflecting on the pictures.
Try thanking God that He walks alongside you and all those who you love. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, try to imagine that God is holding your hand in the middle of all the darkest times. And then look forward to the celebrations when all this lockdown is over and we can again share with all those we love and are missing seeing in person.
Psalm 23 – a modern version
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 – a traditional version
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
A prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you that you see us right where we are,
in the midst of our pain and struggle.
Thank you that you have not forgotten us and never will.
Forgive us for not trusting you,
for doubting your goodness,
or not believing you’re really there.
Thank you that you care for us
and your love over us is so great.
We ask for your hope and comfort
to continue to heal our hearts where they’ve been broken.
Give us the courage to face another day,
knowing that with you before us and behind us, we have nothing to fear. Amen.
