July 2025: Barbecue

This year the barbecue was at the church. It was a fine warm evening. Sue led us in the following prayers.

Night Prayer for a Summer Barbecue

Introduction

The day is done, the night has come. The Grace year draws to a close. In the quiet of the moment – we still our souls to spend time with God.

Refrain:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3 v 22-23

Are you carrying trouble in your mind from the worries of the day and year?

Breathing in slowly receive God’s peace.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Are you carrying tensions in your body from the strains of this day and year?

Breathing out slowly, relax and release your stress to God.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Matthew 11 vs 28-30

Rejoice

Reflecting on the day and year ask God to show you where they were at work in our lives. In what ways did we experience their goodness and when did I hear them speak?

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

God, remind me now of the ways in which I have wandered from you today in thought, in word or in action.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Praying for ourselves and each other

Opportunity for people to pray for others, the world or themselves. As each prays they drop a grain of incense onto the barbecue.

Closing intercessions:

Loving God – take our prayers, spoken in the hope that your kingdom will come and your will may be done.
Sometimes we doubt that this will ever happen.
Sometimes we are angry that your kingdom seems so far away.
But tonight let us pray that your kingdom will come both for us as individuals and to bring healing and peace to the world.
Amen

Final Prayer

As I lay down in sleep
Watch over me coaxing all my cares to unravel into peace.
May this new night of rest
Repair the wear of time
And restore youth of heart for the adventure that awaits tomorrow.
Amen