Encounter
HARP 1 Lauda Side A:
Rob: As we turn to You now, Lord, we praise You that Your presence is close at hand and the way to Your heaven wide open for us. We throw open the doors of our hearts and celebrate the love that has called us to Your service. May the grace of Christ light our paths; our journeys and encounters, our hopes and our plans. We offer them, Lord, to You; direct them for Your glory. 

Ros: I long to meet with You today, Lord.
In the stillness draw near,
That my spirit may be refreshed in You

Grace: Renew my love, Lord Jesus;
Be the joy in my heart,
The moment of my waking,
And the power behind the day,
TUTTI: Bless to me, Lord,
The work of my hands.
Bless to me, Lord,
The ways of my mind. 
Bless to me, Lord,
The affections of my heart,
May Your kingdom come
Each moment of this day. 
(Anon)

Robert May we embark this day, Lord, into the flow of your Spirit’s leading,
Unlock the springs of creativity in our hearts, 
Ideas and inspiration that flow to Your glory
Let the power of God rise up as we worship,
The love of God as we reach out to others
And the joy of Christ as we live this day for You. 

Roz: I welcome what You bring this day, 
	Be it inward joy or outward trial,
	May my thinking be true
	My words and actions kind 
	And my trust be strong.
	You have given me this day, this hour, this moment,
	I trust You now with that. 

IN THE SILENCE Vivaldi: Track 17 Largo; 
Grace:‘ The Lord is in His holy Temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.’ 

Robert: Lord, You have much for us to hear and do but our hearts must be very still and quiet to listen, like Mary, who chose the better part. Draw our souls to silence, that we may sit at Your feet and gain strength and direction. 

Ros: Lord, Your ways are past finding out,
Yet you share so much with us;
Help me to live this day to the full for You, 
To heed the whispers and the warnings that You send our way; 
And to know that we are loved
and can rest in Your love. 

Grace: Lord, You have solutions to every problem. 
Convert our thoughts to prayer
And our prayers to loving actions. 
Ros: You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. (Psalm 139:2-3; Psalm 73:25)
In all things give thanks
Robert: I praise You, Lord, for what I cannot yet understand.
For the countless ways You guide and bless
And the changes that have come my way.

Make my heart more grateful.
Help me to recognise the gifts and graces You give, 
and to express my appreciation for them..

TUTTI Keep us in the spirit of thanksgiving,
and help me to avoid the spirit of moaning, 
In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

ALLEGRI MISERERE 
Robert: On all my many travels, Lord, 
Be my travelling companion
Ros: In all my hours of working
Spirit guide the way, 
Robert: In all my times of study, Lord, anoint my mind. 
Grace: In all my times of waiting
Help me to reach out to You. 
Ros: For if You had come before the midnight hour
All the virgins would have been ready;
It was the long delay which exposed their folly.
Grace: When sharp frustrations come my way, 
Make me flegmatic but full of faith. 

Ros: In every time of change
Keep us alert and ready. 
Grace: At every cross roads on the way
Be my sign-post, guide and Comforter.
TUTTI: Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
	Forgive our foolish ways!
	Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
	In purer lives, Thy service find,
	In deeper reverence praise.

Robert 
Make my heart a garden, Lord,
Of pleasure, not of pain
Of memories shared together
Of weeds removed and soil reclaimed.

Weeping willow, source of tears
Little Plum, sign of promise for the years to come
Fruitful Apple, symbol of the Harvest
Soaring spreading oaks of righteousness. 

Grace: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 

Robert: Lord, I’m eager to do Your will. Lead me to such people, places and sources of information that will increase my stock of wisdom and my store of learning. Help me to know what to say when people come to me in need. Grant me knowledge without pride and insight without suspicion. 
Three second selah 
Ros: Lord. Keep me from spending too much time with people I can never really help, or be helped by. Help me to realise that when You say “No” or “Wait” You mean it, and You have good reason for saying it. 
Five second selah 
Grace: Help us to listen to You, Lord. 
May we hear You through the pages of Your Word,

Now wild and disturbing,
Now calm and reassuring,
Ros: Let your word enter the secret places of the heart,
Dispersing fear and condemnation,
Bringing light and love. 
Five second selah 

Grace: Help us to perceive the links and connections amongst the turbulent affairs of mankind: between cause and effect, sin and its consequences, mercy and the avoidance of disaster. 
Robert: For You are the stillness that comes after the turmoil,
The peace at the end of the day,
And the One who renews our hope. 
Seven second Selah. 

Robert: Jesus, lover of our souls,
Let our earthly loves be true.
As I draw near to my beloved,
May I draw still nearer You.
Jesus, Son of Mary, 
We welcome You in our hearts and homes today. 
Let common wit and purpose spur us on,
Let nothing come between our love.  [5 seconds]

Grace: Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because He was seeking godly offspring . . . so guard yourself in spirit and do not break faith (Malachi 2:15-16).  [5 seconds]

Ros: Bless all families today, Lord. They are jewels set in the heart of this land. Overcome all tensions and frustrations so that many may come to know You better because of the love that is found within their walls. 
TUTTI Sanctify each Christian home
And let your peace and power yield good fruit. . 
[5 second pause] 

Grace: Empower those whose marriages are struggling, and be with those which have failed. 
Robert Give grace and patience to all who live in unhappy homes. 
[5 second pause]

Grace: Bless those who are rearing children or awaiting new ones[5 secs]
Rob: Those who are unable to have children of their own [5 seconds]
Ros: Those who are married to unbelievers [5 seconds] 
Grace: Those who have remained unmarried out of love for You [5 seconds] 
Rob: Babies who are turning into toddlers [Three seconds
Ros: Teenagers who are testing the boundaries as they develop into adults [Six seconds] 
Grace: Those who are sailing the highs and lows of the oceans of life [5 seconds]
Robert: Those for whom the days are long and dreary [5 seconds] 
Ros: Those who are awaiting their home-calling. [4 seconds] 
Tutti: Welcome them, dear Lord, with open arms,
And strengthen the hearts and homes of Your chosen ones. 

Friendships
Roz: A look, a glance - I can tell at once 
        When something’s on your mind- 
        Grant me the grace to handle it aright.

Robert: I`m hurting, Lord today,
            I`m afraid to be noticed,
            I need to be noticed,
            Help me to share my needs and hurts appropriately. 
Thank You for friends who can lift the load and set me free again.  

Ros: Lord we bless You for those You have used to draw us closer to Yourself. We bless You for their kindness and their care of us. 
Rob: Make us infectious for You, Lord, just as they were, so that many can recognise the beauty of Christ through us. 
Ros: Be glorified, Lord, in our friendships. Grant those special encounters which draw us close as soul-brothers and sisters, yet which never encroach upon each other’s own identity.
Grace: Keep rivalry and striving far away,
   and all that would spoil our unity. 

Rob: Father, as our spirits sweep round like a radar scan, 
Are there projects that You would have us attempt with our friends?
Or any who are in special need today?
I lift them now into the light of Christ and wait on You.[

Ros Lord, we remember those who have meant a lot to us but from whom we have grown apart. Help us not to resent those who, for whatever reason, appear to have distanced themselves from us. Help us to honour the stand that they take for You, and their desire to seek after You.     
TUTTI: In Jesus’ name - bless those who were once our close friends and who are still Your beloved ones to this day. 

This is a prayer to pray for a special friend.
Rob: Lord, protect and instruct her heart.
Let Your Spirit minister to the depths of her spirit,
Keep her from all beguilements and distractions.
Watch over every detail of her life and relationships,
Lead her, use her, guide her, protect her 
At home, at work, at night, in prayer.
Let Your anointing compensate for her weaknesses,
Your comfort make up for her inadequacies,
And Your power be at work from this day forward in her life.
Sustain her in her moments of frailty
And strengthen her longing to serve You.
Scatter foolish thoughts and vain regrets
Inspire her with your purposes
Direct her to the people and the projects that will bless her most 
And reap a harvest through that which you have sown in her life
As Your glory shines through her.
In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Roz: Lord, protect and instruct his heart.
Let Your Spirit minister to the depths of his spirit,
Keep him from all beguilements and temptations,
Watch over every detail of his life and relationships,
Lead him, use him, guide him, protect him 
At home, at work, at night, in prayer.

Let Your anointing compensate for his weaknesses,
Your comfort make up for his inadequacies,
And Your power be at work from this day forward in his life.
Sustain him in his moments of frailty
And strengthen his longing to serve You.

Scatter foolish thoughts and vain regrets
Inspire him with your purposes
Direct him to the people and the projects that will bless him most, 
And reap a harvest through that which you have sown in his life
As Your glory shines through him.
In Jesus' name, Amen. 
{DESTINY : KATHRYN 
GRACE: This is a wonderful word of reassurance by Suzie Hunt; a love song from the Lord to us. 
You ARE beautiful my child
but it has nothing to do with you.
You are beautiful because you are in Me.
I know!
We both see the you that makes you hide in shame,
but it’s no matter to Me.
It’s you who seeks to maim.
I see you beautiful;
in you My plan fulfilled.
I see you changing.
In you my heart is thrilled.
I have chosen you. Do you not see?
I don’t make mistakes.
Your life is here in Me.
I know you are distracted now
while upon the earth.
You sin. You take your eyes off Me,
yet still I see your worth
and I repeat, “You are beautiful.”
And your repentant tears melt my heart
to a tidal wave of love.
You cannot know yet how much I love you,
how much I want you,
but know I gave my life that you might do so.
Not because of the you you know,
but because of the you I know.
And I call you beautiful. 

Encounters at Work 	LAUDA 2 
Grace ‘God,  give us worthwhile work to do,
And precious people to befriend for You .
Robert:	Meet with Your people, Lord, as they go to work this day. May all they do help to fulfil Your purposes in the world. Use us wherever we go today, more perhaps than we realise at the time. 

Grace: Grant to those who work in spiritually sterile places an awareness sof Your presence and Your pleasure; a quiet determination to be there for You, rather than a slow counting of the hours. 
Ros: Bless those who are looking for work. Grant them hope and inspiration in their seeking -- and joy and success in the finding.
Grace: Help me to not to try to play a role that is not mine to play.
Ros Let my heart be transparent so that people will trust me, and I can be open to them. 
Grace: Grant me grace to listen to what people have to say.
      It’s important to them and to You.
      And when I do speak, help me to bring Your love and wisdom. 
Robert: Fill the land with godly workers and God-inspired enterprise. 
Grant vision skill and good time management to the self-employed to fulfil their call. 
Ros: May our daily work and our spiritual vocation go hand in hand. 

Grace: Bless those who face ridicule or hostility for loving You. Help them know how to respond and proceed, and grant them opportunities to show and share the love of Christ.
Robert: Help those who are wrestling with difficult or important decisions; 
and for those who have exams or interviews to sit. 
Tutti: In the name of the Carpenter of Nazareth, Jesus our Lord. 
LAUDA 3:
Robert: This is an extract from a sermon by Hilda preached at Whitby monastery in the Seventh Century
So trade with the gifts God has given you.
Bend your minds to holy learning that you may escape the fretting moth of littleness of mind that would wear out your souls.
Brace your wills to action that they may not be the spoils of weak desires.
Train your hearts and lips to song, which gives courage to the soul.

Ros: Being buffeted by trials, learn to laugh.
Being reproved, give thanks.
Having failed, determine to succeed. 

Robert: This is a prayer from Kenya:
From the cowardice that dare not face new truth,
From the laziness that is contented with half truth,
From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,
Good Lord, deliver me. 

Grace: And this is an anonymous poem for someone who has lost a special friend or partner. 
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want: smile open your eyes, love and go on. (Source Unknown)

Loss and Abandonment Albinoni
Ros: ‘Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are You going?”
Jesus answered him, “Where I’m going you cannot come, for the moment, but you shall follow me afterwards.”
Grace: ‘Death is not the extinguishing of light, but the blowing out of the candle because the dawn has come.’  [3 seconds] 

Robert: Father we place into Your hands all who are grieving now, who have had hopes or loved ones snatched away. 
Great heart of our heart, comfort and support them in their loneliness. May good memories live on and vain regrets be resisted. Grant them Your supernatural peace and the confidence to know that there will be new life beyond the loss and abandonment -- and that You will somehow replace all that they have lost or had taken from them.  

LORD HAVE MERCY SELAH Psalm 103 RUACH.  
Robert There is no hope
  Unless You provide it, 
There is no grace
  Until You intervene.
There is no glory
  Until Your Spirit comes.
Grace Come Spirit of Hope 
  Pour out Your Mercy on us.
Come Spirit of Grace
  Bid condemnation flee away.
Come Spirit of Glory 
  Anoint Your people now. 
Robert: Fountain of Favour  
	Renew the hearts of Your people 
Ros Fountain of Worship
	Restore the hearts of Your people 
Robert Wellspring of Joy
	 Renew and Restore the hearts of Your people 
Tutti: In the name of the One who was, and is, and is to come. Amen.

Grace: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 
Robert: ‘Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, According to Your unfailing love have mercy, According to your unfailing riches in Christ, O Lord hear our prayer.’ 
Ros: May your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. 
Grace: I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
Robert: Forgive us Lord that we are the generation that believes in our disbelief. There is no limit to the depravity that we have embraced, Lord, or to the cynicism we have embraced. 
Are You not right when You decree your judgement against a land that has enthroned ways contrary to Your laws? Yet just as we have experienced Your mercy in our own lives, so we dare to pray that You will yet look with favour on our land. [Seven second pause; Coincide with the first bit of singing on the Psalm, 103 selah.] 
Grace: Hear the longing of Your people for righteousness to prevail and for Your glory to visit our land. 
Ros Be not a passing stranger or an unwelcome guest, but come as the Bright Morning Star, as the ruler and leader of Your people, and the Saviour of the Land. 

Robert: High King of Heaven
Remember not what we have done,
Nor all we deserve,
But for Your own name’s sake
Renew and restore Your people.
Send a fresh wave of Your Spirit, 
And raise up Your co-workers to rebuild Your church
And win this nation for Christ. 
Tutti: We ask in the name of Jesus and for Your glory Lord, 
 
Robert: High King of Heaven, as nations rage in turmoil,
We proclaim the coming King
Who has promised to return 
And who is standing at the door
Break open the doors that are closed to You,
That those far away may be drawn to You,
And those at odds with each other find each other again in You. 

Robert Even though we live surrounded by people who love us, Lord, there come times when we feel utterly isolated, when only You can know the sorrow in our heart. Perhaps You have designed it like this, Lord, so that when the trials feel too heavy for us to bear on our own, we have to hand them over to You. 

Grace: Help us not to doubt You in the darkness, nor to hold back from following You. And though it sometimes seems as though the hour of opportunity has passed us by and darkness has tolled its bell, yet we praise You that You never change; You are always the same. 
Robert Water now the roots of our hearts, that our spirits may not wither. At the scent of water, let them spring back to life again. 
Grace: From the book of Isaiah the Lord God speaks: 
‘Do not be afraid,
I have come to save you.
You are special to me,
and I know your name,
When the deep dark waters of trouble
swirl around you,
I am with you. 
Robert: Grant us courage to attempt what You have put within our hearts to do. For it is as we set out to do things that Your blessing comes. 
Grace: Help us to light a candle rather than to bemoan the darkness.

ONE THING I ASK (Wellspring) 
Robert: As the waters flow each day into the harbour, so each tide marks a new beginning. We trust You Lord to make this new beginning in our hearts and to lead us on to glory. Let nothing and no one thwart Your purposes, but may You receive the joy and the praise as we become the people You long for us to be. 
Tutti: In the name of the One who was, and is, and is to come. Amen.
Robert: Jesus, lover of My soul, hold me in Your arms. 
Develop goodness in my heart through the fire of Your Holy Spirit.
Keep me alert and watchful in my spirit.
Let no fear hold me back from serving You,
No harsh or unclean thought lodge within my heart.

Ros Lord, grant blessing to my feet to take me where they should go,
To my heart to respond to You from one moment to the next,
To my mind to think Your thoughts
To my spirit to know when someone is in need.

Robert Thank You that You wish to bless each day that lies ahead,
And make it special in Your sight;
I live it, Lord, for You.

ALBINONI OPUS 9:5. Forgiveness
Ros: ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’
Grace: Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Robert Thank You that You do not close the gate of repentance in our faces -- therefore I can bring You all the wrongs that I have done today -- the thoughts that have wandered and strayed, the pains that I have caused myself, the mischief I have done to others, and all the subtle ways by which I betray You. Look not on my sins but on Your mercy. 
Grace Thank You for Your constant love which welcomes us back and celebrates when we turn from that which is wrong. 
May many today experience afresh the joy of repentance and discover that there is nothing You love more than giving people a fresh start. 
Ros How can we love God if we hate our brother?
Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. (1 John 2:9) 
Robert: We never touch Your heart so much as when we love our enemies, Lord. I set my will to bless those who have hurt me, and to love those who hate me, for I am, perhaps, no closer to You, than I am to the person I like least in the world. 

Grace: When people are determined to make life hard for us, may Your Spirit help us to find ways to turn even this hassle and aggression around for good. 
Robert: Forgive us for condemning in others the very things which we excuse in ourselves, or which we are most ashamed of in ourselves. Keep us open to the possibility that there may be other perspectives which are at least as true as ours.
Ros: May there be no bitterness in my heart; no refusal to forgive or, where appropriate, to attempt reconciliation. 
Grace: Grant me grace to forgive myself, too, Lord Jesus, for all the foolish things I’ve said and done. 
Robert: Set Your people free from the tormenting shafts of condemnation. 

Grace: We forgive and pray Your special blessing on those denominations, groups and individuals which we have been hurt by, or which we find it hard to relate to. Make them fruitful and full of joy in serving You. 
 
Ros: The Lord your God will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph. 3:17 (Amplified ??#) 
Grace: Lord I love You. As I wait on Your now, show me anything You would have me see. Is my desire for You still strong? 
Are my attitudes honouring?
Robert Are there things that You have shown me and that I have yet to respond to? 
Bring to mind the nudges that You have sent my way and such memories as You want me to ponder or enjoy. 

Roz: Lord, I confess that I have often missed Your leading and yielded to temptation in my thinking and in my words.
Pinpoint and purge any hidden idols within my heart.
That I live tomorrow to the full for You 
For tomorrow is a new page-- and only You know what You can write on it. 

Encounter with Suffer-Reign OPUS 9 Track 2 Albinoni 
Robert: CS Lewis said, ‘God whispers to us in our pleasures; He speaks in our conscience, but He shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.’ 
Ros Lord, we ask that You will come especially close now to all who are in special need of grace: the bereaved and confused, the downtrodden and destitute, and those who are suffering for the sake of righteousness.
Robert Father, I confess that my heart is often cold and indifferent to those who are suffering for loving You. I pray now for those whose lives and liberty are at risk for loving You. 
Grace: As you strengthened Paul in his sufferings, abundantly comfort all imprisoned saints this day. Give them strength and health in their times of trial. Deliver them -- and their loved ones -- from the poison of fearful thoughts, and bless them -- and the communities that they represent --  for the costly stand that they have taken. 
Robert May they never feel alone in their suffering but sense Your presence very close to them in this, the time of their ordeal. 
Ros May hope continue strong in their hearts, and minds and spirits remain unfettered whatever men would do to them. . 
Tutti: In the name of Jesus, who sets the captives free, lead us now as we pray.  

ENCOUNTER WITH TROUBLE Pachebel Canon 
Ros: It’s been said that there are no atheists on the night before a battle. Help us to seek You, Lord, in our times of crisis. 
TUTTI: ‘I cry out to God Most High, who fulfils His purposes for Me.’
Robert:	In all our distress You too are distressed. In all our hurting You are present. Be with us in all the unexpected difficulties and dangers that we encounter on our way. 
TUTTI: ‘I cry out to God Most High, who fulfils His purposes for Me.’
Grace: Be with all who wrestle with inner doubts and struggles today, or who are experiencing a sense of shame.
TUTTI: ‘I cry out to God Most High, who fulfils His purposes for Me.’

Robert:Lord, discouragement is the most insidious of all the devil’s temptations because it severs the nerve of kingdom love and enterprise.  Stir our spirits to keep on trusting You, 
TUTTI: ‘I cry out to God Most High, who fulfils His purposes for Me.’
Ros: Help me to go on seeking You even when You seem very far way. 
TUTTI: ‘I cry out to God Most High, who fulfils His purposes for Me.’
Grace: Thank You that You are determined to drive complacency and unbelief far from our hearts. Beyond the turmoil, may we glimpse Your glory. 
TUTTI Come, Spirit of fire, burn up the dross in our hearts. 
Send such people and circumstances into our lives as will help Your light to shine in our hearts.
	In the name of Jesus, the Refiner of His people 

Roz: 	Our needs are known to You, Lord, yet You want us to bring them to You.
Grant us everything that will help us to do Your work most effectively. Your coming is sure but unannounced - Come now and be glorified in the meeting of our needs. [10 seconds pause] 
Tutii: In the name of Jesus, the one who meets our needs.

Robert: Lord, I focus now on You, with all my heart and mind and soul. 
Grace: Lord, when tensions come my way, 
Lift the stress and bring relief.
Ros: Teach me how to rest and play and pray
And send my spirit soaring far and wide.
Tutti: Corral wayward thoughts and wild emotions
Restore my heart to silence
Expand my heart to love.
Ros: Watch over my emotions, Lord,
Let no wayward fears or longings rule my heart. 
Tutti: Corral wayward thoughts and wild emotions
Restore my heart to silence
Expand my heart to love.
Robert Let Your angels inspire and direct me
And bring the touch of heaven very near.
Tutti: Corral wayward thoughts and wild emotions
Restore my heart to silence
Expand my heart to love.

Grace: Focus my heart on You, Lord, 
lest it seek wrong and foolish things.
Still the darting flitting shafts of longing
And fill my emptiness with the awareness of Your Presence. 
Robert: Focus my eyes, Lord, 
Lest they wander and stray 
Ros: Restrain and retrain my tongue, Lord, 
To speak words that strengthen and build others up.. 
May no reckless decisions or rash and hurtful words 
Bring trouble to myself or others today. 
Robert Focus my mind, Lord. 
To think Your thoughts and to pray Your prayers. 
TUTTI: I offer You My eyes to see for You
	 My heart to seek and rest in You
	 My whole being to love You.
Ros: Guide my seeing and my reading, my hearing and my speaking. 
Tutti:	In the name of Him who formed the eye and planted the ear, Amen. 

ENCOUNTERS WITH DARKNESS   SAMUEL BARBER Adagio (Ancient Paths, Wellspring)
Robert: In the stillness of my heart, Lord, I wait for You. I long to hear Your voice and to follow You. Help me to recognise and harness those emotions which are creative and to avoid those which are destructive. 
Ros: When I’m feeling angry, let it make me more prayerful - but let it not consume me with resentment or leave me bent on vengeance.
Grace: Deliver us from our fears, Lord -- but help us to recognise which ones need to be resisted and which are telling us something important about ourselves. May no lack of courage cause us to miss the opportunities that You send our way. 
Ros: Thank You that You guide us carefully and gently. If You had not refreshed us, we would not have made it this far. Help us to resist the many accusations and the guilt which the Accuser of the Brethren sends our way.
Grace: Help us to overcome the nagging thought that we have nothing much to offer, for this makes us so much less willing to attempt things for You. 
Robert: Keep us from a “hardening of the oughteries” - that nagging sense that we ought to be doing more than we are, or be doing something else altogether. Develop within us a deeper sense of steadfastness and gratitude as an antidote to these restless and compulsive thoughts. 
Ros: When I’m feeling hesitant and uncertain Lord, rebuke the fear. You are so much greater than my fears and dismal forebodings.
Help me to notice who is fearful and drifting, and to go out after them, just like a sheep dog rounding up sheep. 
TUTTI We declare war on those fears and worries which make us believe that all is at an end when, in reality, You still have so much to do in and through our lives. 
Robert: Picture the scene in the upper room. Even though Jesus knew that the one who would betray him was present, He went round the disciples washing their feet one by one. Imagine Him doing the same for you. He is not going to criticize your standard of hygiene - He wants to hold and massage your feet because they are precious to Him. He wants to look into Your eyes and smile as He does so. What would you say to Him? What would He say to You? 

OVERCOMING EVIL: 
Robert: Solzhenitsyn wrote ‘The line dividing good and evil cuts through the hearts of every human being, and who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?’ Make us willing to face the things we need to face. 
Ros: Help us to overcome evil not just by avoiding infringing specific laws, but by being diligent in seeking You. May no pressures from within or without blunt my zeal for You.
TUTTI: Lord, Deliver us from evil. 
Confound confusion and scatter all the powers that are arrayed against us. Increase the flow of trust and the spirit of prayer within our hearts. 
Robert: No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.
Grace: When I see someone who is so much more obviously blessed and gifted than I am, help me not to feel rejected or passed over. Keep me from the sharp pangs of jealousy and envy. I hand these feelings to You now.  [5 seconds]
TUTTI: Lord, Deliver us from the power of envy and rejection. 
TUTTI: Release my heart to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice. 
Robert: Help us not to be gullible in the face of evil, Lord, but to recognise it clearly for what it is -- even if that means admitting that we ourselves have been at fault. Help us to avoid excuses and denials which hinder Your work of truth. 
Tutti: Lord, Deliver us from evil. 
May humility, truth and love safeguard us from the evil one. 
Grace We pray for those whose days are spent in close proximity to scheming people and corrupt and evil systems. Keep them safe in Your arms and upright in their stance. 
Robert Remind and reassure them that their present condition will not last for ever: that You will find a way to break the chains that bind them and set them free. 
In their loneliness, draw near. Keep them from inner confusion and alienation.
Robert: Straighten out our muddled longings, Lord, especially those which would make us quest after things which in reality would do us a great deal of harm. Cleanse our inmost desires. Help us to love what You love and to hate the ways by which evil appeals to our senses. 
Ros: Keep us from becoming so preoccupied with ourselves that we fail to ponder how our actions will affect others. May our hurts not spill over to wound others but be healed by Your goodness and people’s care and understanding. 
Robert: Help us to recognise when evil forces are at work, in our own hearts and situations, in our churches, and amongst the nations of the world. Help us to take our stand for You against these things. Come by Your Spirit’s power to rescue those who are in the grip of evil powers. 
TUTTI: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light. 
Rob: Help us to turn and face You, Lord, for even when evil does strike, You can still bring good out of it. 
Grace: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Ros: Thank You, Lord, that genuine fun and simple pleasures are powerful weapons against the enemy. 
Thank You that even a smile can make such a difference. 
Robert: Thank You, Lord, that a joyful church is a brilliant witness to outsiders. 
Grace: Grant us deep contentment, Lord, in simple things -- and help us to rmeember the god things You send our way, every day.  
TUTTI: And may the joy of the Lord be our strength. 

Encounters of Trust  Blessing, Ancient Paths. 
Grace: If anyone draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (Heb. 10:38) 
Ros: No‑one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)
Rob: Lord, You alone know our inmost thoughts and the true condition of our heart.
Overcome our reluctance to seek You and deepen our trust in Your dealings with us, Lord. For where we are tempted to see only difficulties You see a whole range of possibilities. Strengthen our will to serve You, that we may give no foothold to the watching powers of darkness. Stir up a worshipping warrior spirit within us. 
Roz Where we have difficult choices to make and tasks to attempt, guide us in our decision-making and keep us diligent in seeking You. 

Grace: Grant me the strength to await Your timing, for if I insist on doing things my way, it’s much harder for You to be able to do them Your way. 

Rob: Grant courage to those who find themselves obliged to take a course of action which they would much prefer not to have to take. Help them know that if You have directed this course, then however hard the path, it will be safe and right and necessary. Be with them every step of the way. [3 seconds] 
Grace: Help me not to falter or to hesitate with what You have given me to do, for when I hesitate I give ground to the enemy. Free me from trying to carry responsibilities that are not mine to carry, and from avoiding those which are. 
TUTTI Thank You that you can put right that which is wrong, and bring good out of every situation, especially those matters that we bring to You now. . . . . 
Roz: Lord, free us from judgmental thoughts and assumptions that trap us and others in unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Keep us from the pitfalls of pride and peer-group pressure. Confront our selfishness and purify our motives.
Tutti: Judge of all men, Fountain of Forgiveness, we lay down our prejudices and our judgemental criticisms. 
Grace: Forgive the hard thoughts we harbour against those who do not readily think well of us; especially those who are in a position of authority or influence over us.
Tutti: Judge of all men, Fountain of Forgiveness, forgive our prejudices and our judgementalism. 
Ros : May the grace of the Holy Spirit set us free from ingrained responses which harden our attitudes. Break open such relationships as have become imprisoned in bitterness or deadened by years of mutual non-respect.
Tutti: Judge of all men, Fountain of Forgiveness, be glorified in giving us new ways of thinking and loving. 
Robert: We yield ourselves afresh to You; our hopes and dreams, our lives and reputations. You hold the key not only to our hearts but to every situation that we will ever face. We give them all to You, my Lord, because we love You with all the love of our heart. 
Where my focus has shrunk and I have become obsessed with my  own concerns, broaden my  horizons again. 
Lead us out to bless the people, and the nations that You would have us pray for -- for this is the work of heaven and joy to our soul.
TUTTI: May the blood of Jesus cleanse and cover us, our loved ones, and all who seek to follow You. 
Ros Lord, we follow Your leading now, as You prompt our spirits to pray....
far beyond our place of work or neighbourhood,
far beyond our Christian circles and connections ....
Holy Spirit of Prayer, set our hearts free to follow Your leading now . . .
Robert Bless all who even now are waking up on the far side of the world and looking to You. 
Hold our nation in the palm of Your hand.
As night falls and the workers of darkness bestir themselves, 
Protect our land from their malice and from acts of wanton destruction.
Grace: Loose each victim from those who send out tormenting spells, 
Ros: From all snares of seduction and bewitching, 
Rob: from lust and depravity, 
Grace: from despondency and despair. 
Rob: May the outstretched hand of the Lord push back the frontiers of darkness, and grant such strength and succour that we may never tire of serving You. 

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE DAY Wellspring, Per Crucem. (Taize). 
Grace Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.   [1 John 3:18]
Robert: As we come to the end of this day, Lord
We praise You for the grace that You have poured upon us.
So many gifts and blessings that You have showered upon us. 
Thank You for all Your mercies, big and small. 

Ros: Lord, Your presence is strong now at the end of the day.
Guard this fragile candle - let nothing put out its light. 
I hand back to You every hurt that I have sustained,
Every situation that remains unresolved and every disappointment that has saddened and weighed me down. 
Robert: Draw their sting and turn them round for Your glory.
Let no residue of bitterness or despair cloud my mind or cloak my spirit.
Help me push through each obstacle on the way,
Until what You have promised comes to pass. 
Grace: Where trust has been damaged, salve my wounds and repair the breach.
Ros: May our deep desire to be with You 
Keep us from evil and ward off danger,
May Your angels stand guard over us.
As we prepare to rest in You. 
Grace: Immerse us now in the depths of Your love. 
Cleanse the stream of our thoughts.
And soak us in the life that is life.
Robert: Settle our spirits in the Peace of all peace, 
In the stillness and awareness of the host of heaven. 
Ros Quiet our minds from the cares and worries that we have borne this day. 
So much feels fragile -- Take care of that which we cannot for ourselves.
Rest and restore our bodies in the warmth of Your presence.
Put fears and fancies to flight that they may not haunt our sleep. 
Robert Grant rest to all who have laboured this day in Your service.
May their sleep be rich in the awareness of Your love. 
TUTTI: In the name of the Father, who gives sleep to His beloved, the Prince of Peace, who gives life to our souls, and the Spirit of Power, who gives meaning to our days, Amen.