The Unchanging God

Sovereign God,

Lord of past, present and future,

Lord of all,

we come together, as we have so often come across the years,
to thank and praise you.

We come rejoicing that, in all the uncertainties of life,

we find in you one who is unchanging,
a rock on which we can base our lives,
a shield to protect us along the way,
a light to guide our footsteps,
and a love which fills our hearts with joy.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

We come to praise you for all the ways you have blessed us,

as individuals and as a church -
for the times of fellowship we have shared,
the faith that has been nurtured,
the support given and received,
and the friendships established.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

We praise you for the experiences we have gone through together -

the hopes realised,
disappointments overcome,
lessons learned,
service offered.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Forgive us that we are slow sometimes to remember your goodness,

and swift to forget your many blessings.

We lose sight of the resources you put at our disposal,

dwelling on our fears rather than your strength,
our problems rather than your promises,
our lives rather than your kingdom.

We become wrapped up in what is unimportant,

putting our trust in what finally cannot satisfy,
and our energy into what ultimately is secondary to our calling.

Our love, faith and commitment ebb and flow as each day passes,

yet still you have been true to us,
rich in mercy and grace.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Receive our thanks that you are so different from us -

faithful,
constant,
unchanging,
always willing to show mercy,
forever reaching out in love.

Receive our praise that you have been able to work through our lives,

despite as well as because of us.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations

From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Sovereign God,

go with us now in the days ahead.
Help us to recognise that, though all else may fail,
you will not,
and may that knowledge shape our life together.
Help us to build on all that has gone before,
so that we may follow you more faithfully,
love you more truly,
and see more clearly what you would have us do.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

From everlasting to everlasting you are God.

To you be praise and glory,

now and for evermore
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

This prayer we found as a photocopy on a sheet of paper. We do not know where it was copied from in the first place, but we are thankful to the writer.