Prayer

Based on Isaiah 6:1-8

Grief took grip upon us all The familiar and friendly died And we were shaken We looked around and saw that things Were suddenly harder and smaller We looked within and found our hearts Were awfully tender and raw

We see the LORD Seated on a throne A glimpse of glory Hushed by the holy Lowered, broken, spent and undone

Woe to us! We are ruined!

As we meet Him, we see ourselves truly Sin, failure, rage and disdain Remembering venom souring our lips The lashing out, the giving up Finally, we’re on our knees

But what is this?

You lift our heads and give us grace Declare our sin is sorted out You let us see you face to face Invite and call in all our doubt ‘Whom shall I send?

And who will go for us?’

Holy God, our heads were beating with our losses Now may our hearts get beating to take up our crosses May pulses quicken and hope stir fast Take us beyond our recent past And hear the call that you still cast ‘Who will go for us?’

We stand before you here today Ready now, as one, to say If you’ll still lead us in the Way…

Our prayer today is simple: ‘Here we are. Send us!’

With that we name for you, God All the things that comes with: Vulnerability.

Availability.

Uncertainty.

Faith, bearing shadows of doubt. Hope, bearing shadows of grief. Love, bearing shadows of suspicion.

Holy, holy, holy God Cast out our shadows Raise up our voices Let us encounter you afresh Let us be forever changed And see your Kingdom come In Scotland as it is in Heaven.

Amen.