Day 10: Rejoicing comes in the morning

Psalm 30:1-5

I will exalt you, Lord,

for you lifted me out of the depths

and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Lord my God, I called to you for help,

and you healed me.

You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;

you spared me from going down to the pit.

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;

praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favour lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Friday 3rd March this year marks two significant events. Firstly, as the first Friday in March, it is World Day of Prayer, and secondly it is World Wildlife Day. So let's use those themes to lead our prayers this day…

Lord, we offer you all our praise and worship today

We take a moment from our busy lives, to come into your presence

and to become more aware of you all around us.

We thank you for the world you have created, for the creation of the planet, of each individual and every type of animal.

We ask that as we pray we can bring to mind some of the delights of this world, both around us and afar.

We pray for the variety and beauty of creation

for the landscapes that change continent by continent

for the sights that take our breath away

for the amazing discoveries still being made

We think of all the people that live in the world

for those who are similar to us and those who are different

for those who are suffering, worried, not at peace

for those who are joyful, excited, loving all around them

We pray for all the animals that enrich your world

for those that we find it easy to appreciate

for those we find scary or unlovable

for those we know are in danger of extinction

Lord, may we always be aware of the need to protect the world around us

to appreciate the wonder of the world

to care for all that is around us

to do what we can to keep the world a place where all, humankind and animals alike, can live peacefully and in harmony with one another.

Lord, of the world, we offer you all our prayers in Jesus precious name. Amen

Catherine Booton