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PRAY NOW: TODAY'S PRAYER
Lifestages - from child to adult
'Now I know only in part; then will I know fully, even as I have been fully known.'
Prayer
You call me forth,
to play upon the stage of life;
an actor in Your great drama.
My entrance is not without struggle.
I fall and bump about the set
learning how to move with grace.
Words and sounds jumble around
until shared language connects me.
My mind broadens and quickens
as little by little the plot unfolds.
One day, I dream,
the complete works will be revealed.
But for now, I journey on -
from the spontaneity of childhood
to the teenager rebellion years
until to all intents and purposes
I appear to be grown-up.
But where are my lines?
I am still improvising from the original Script.
When will my character be fully developed?
I am still becoming my part.
Why do I miss so many cues?
I think I'm listening for that vital Word.
Author of Life, I belong in Your cast.
Help me to emerge gloriously from all my growing pains.
Risen Teacher, I am Your stagecraft student.
Enable me to use correction and praise in equal measure.
Spirit of Truth, keep directing me.
Empower me to act wisely and justly.
For I am Your child, God.
And this is Your show -
Manifesto Magnificat.
Readings
1 Samuel 3:1–11 Samuel learns to recognise the voice of God
Mark 10:13–16 Receiving the Kingdom of God as a child
Luke 2:41–52 Jesus' parents travel on while he stays to make his own
journey
1 Corinthians 13:1–11 St Paul's teaching on the gift of love
Ephesians 4:7–16 Growing up in our faith
Prayer activity
RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX
What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the
evening? Oedipus solved the riddle, answering that a human crawls on all fours
in infancy, walks upright on two legs in adulthood, and uses a cane as a third
leg in old age. Yet morning, afternoon and evening follow each other daily. Are
there times when you find it difficult to stand on your own two feet? How have
you coped? Give thanks for those who lift you up when you are crawling and for
those who give extra support when it is needed.
Prayer for the Church
For those involved in witnessing to, caring for and sharing Christian faith with
children and their parents and organisations like Scripture Union and Urban Saints
especially the Children's Assembly, Sunday School, After School Club leaders and
family workers within congregations, and those involved with iMPACT.
Blessing
May the blessing of incomplete knowledge,
and the promise that more is to come
keep You forever
in the power of the Spirit,
on the journey of Christ
in the love of God.
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