This week's prayers are contributed by John Cox and were previously published in the UCCT magazine, "Over the Bridges", for October 2007.
Living God, we have so much to thank you for.
We thank you for the colours around us - the variety of greens in our fields and forests; the greys of hillside rocks, of old barns and of stone walls; the blues of the cloudless skies; the rose-coloured clouds of sunrises and sunsets.
We thank you for the sounds around us - the windy silence of the Border Ridge; the echoing bleat of lambs calling to mothers in the valleys; the squawks of rooks and jackdaws in the trees; the quack of hungry ducks on the river; the burble of water running over rocks.
We thank you for smells - sweet scent of new-mown hay; drifting scent from purple heather on the moors; delicious scent of new-baked bread in the village; the pungent smoke of a wood fire.
We thank you for people - the chattering of children on their way to school; the friendly greetings of villagers as we walk; the banter of bikers outside the cafés.
We thank you, Lord, for all that makes this valley - earth, air, water; plants, animals, people - all are yours.
And so we pray for the valley - for future financial security for businesses; for lasting social stability for young and old; for continuing development of community spirit.
For the grace of the risen Jesus, the love of the Eternal Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, thanks be to God.
