A prayer for Holy Week

Heavenly Father; as we move towards the crucifixion and the sacrifice of your Son on the cross this week, help us to remember you in our hearts and minds.  Help us to make the sacrifices necessary in our own lives, secure in the knowledge that the ultimate sacrifice has ensured our salvation.  Be with us as we make our commitment to live our lives in the spirit of the cross.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Last night I went to a beautiful Taizé service at St. Mary’s in Limpley Stoke (near Bath).  It was very special, especially as I was with a group of people who sang in full four-part harmony for each song.  It makes the experience so much more reminiscent of being in Taizé that I was truly moved.

During the prayers of intercession and the silence in which we could add our own prayer, I reflected on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  The prayer above came to me, which was a real blessing.  I am going to be moving house in a week, to live with my dad after 3 years of living alone and I have been really struggling with the prospect.  I know that it is the right thing to do at this moment in time, but that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier!  But after this reflection on sacrifice and having said this prayer, I felt a sense of peace around the situation.

It really is amazing how prayer is answered in ways we don’t expect, and in every aspect of life.  It’s not just the big things which need prayer and which God pays attention to – it’s everything.  If you are open, I truly believe that God will be with you in ever moment of your life, even if you don’t realise He’s there.