Creator God,

Grant that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbours as we love ourselves, especially our enemy neighbours. And we pray in these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world appear gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, that you will be with us in our going out and our coming in, in our rising up and in our lying down, in our moments of joy and in our moments of sorrow. As we leave this place, help us to seek that which is high, noble and good. Help us to work with renewed vigour for a warless world, a better distribution of wealth, and a commonwealth of love that transcends race, creed and colour.

And to us all:

May the God who gives hope fill us this year with joy that steadies us, peace that enfolds us, and love that overflows from us. May the Spirit who came at Pentecost send us out renewed in purpose, alive with compassion, and radiant with hope. Go in peace into the year ahead.

Amen

Prayer by Rick Sarre