We thank you for words... a prayer for Sunday 24th Jan.

A prayer of thanksgiving based on Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 9-12; and Luke 4: 14-21 


In the Square, in front of the Water Gate, Ezra read God's word to those gathered and listening. 

Generations later in Nazareth, Jesus read the words of Isaiah and said to those gathered and listening:
'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'

And now, gathered together in this place, having heard God's word read and preached, let us come before God with our response in prayer.  
Let us pray:

Living God and living Word,

We thank you for words…

for the Word in the beginning

and words speaking creation into being;

for the Word breaking into the world,

becoming human and walking alongside us;

for the words of scripture,

telling the world the greatest story ever told -

words speaking out the good news of new life,
of unfailing love, 
and of liberty.

We thank you for words of welcome,

words of kindness,

words of care;

for rhyming words and hymns of praise,

inspiring words that lift the heart and stir the soul.

For words that reach out to others and say:

‘you are not alone…’

For being Word -

for so many words,

We give you thanks.