Pray : Heavenly Father, when we think about coming to church we’re apt to be concerned about the length of the sermon, whether we liked the hymns and the church was warm and who was there that we know. None insignificant but the main reason is to meet with Jesus and together with other believers to join him in worship. “As we are gathered Jesus is here!” Lord, help us never to forget that. Never to limit our understanding of church to an organisation but to see church as a fellowship of your people in union with you through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We may be ordinary, but you are special, and you are with us. Help us to sense your risen presence among us, to know the love and grace that you bring, the forgiveness and hope that is ours through your perfect life and priceless death, the difference it makes to be walking in step with your Spirit, free to live to your glory. The worries and the pressures of life don’t disappear but they do take on a different complexion in the light of your glory. Allow us to know your presence and power that we may worship you truly, and may you go with us later as we return to our homes to live to the praise of your glory in all that we have to do this week. Hear us further as we pray together saying: Our Father…

Thought- Football fans particularly, talk about being supporters of their team, they “follow” it. Now, some will be seen regularly in the ground on match days, some will even literally follow their team around the country to away games, some will watch televised games, perhaps paying a premium for sports channel access. But for many, it will just be the hope that they win on a Saturday, pleased if they are doing well. I don’t see a range of options when it comes to following Jesus. There isn’t one track for especially keen or gifted believers and another less rigorous track for the rest of us. Jesus calls all of us to follow him, to be willing to play our part in showing his love and furthering his kingdom of loving service. We won’t all have to drop everything and up sticks but we are all called to live our lives with Jesus’ goals to the fore, making loving and serving him top priorities, though the exact detail will differ for each of us. Many believers feel inadequate to the task, assuming that they aren’t up to scratch and the temptation is that we leave it to others we think are more capable. However, bottom line, NONE of us is up to it, (not in our own strength) but God wants to equip us to love and serve Jesus – and he does that by his Spirit. We are to be followers of the Lord Jesus; the Spirit comes to help us be the people God means us to be, followers (not armchair supporters) of the saviour, team members, playing our part. We need to be willing, but he can equip us to do our bit.

Pray: Lord, deep down, we know that the call to follow Jesus was never just for the first disciples – we’re all called to follow your Son. Yes, there isn’t one set mould into which we each have to fit – you have a unique and personal plan for each of us – but we are all called to follow. And so, while wary of what it might entail for us, we are bold to pray “Help us to follow Jesus, show us what it might mean for us, and give us the faith to go with him, to share in all that he has for us, and to believe that that is truly for the best.” Take away our doubts, hesitations and fears and help us to follow Jesus – and what we pray for ourselves we pray for the whole church.
 
In this week of Prayer for Christian Unity we thank you for the shared witness and worship of the wider church in its various traditions – here locally, and the world over; for the encouragement this week to worship and pray together and to be seen to be acting in unity in Christ. We pray that it would help to dispel the commonly held perception that we are at loggerheads. May it encourage us to affirm all that binds us together, especially our common bond in Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord and put into perspective the differences that exist between us. Bless all who are heavy of heart, perhaps struggling to see how life might get better. Assure them of your presence and of our prayers. In our prayer walk we remember esp those who live or work in Ferry Road. SILENCE
Lord, you delight to hear and answer our prayers. While you are happy to receive us and our petitions thank you that you are not limited by them but you are gracious and generous and answer beyond our faith and expectations in Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Blessing - May the Lord bless you. Amen.