Save us, O Lord, from being
inward-looking or backward-looking
in the mission of your church.
Help us to take our eyes off ourselves
and turn them on the world around;
to be concerned less
with what we have accomplished
and more on what remains to be done;
enlarge our vision and rekindle our love
that we may go forward
to new and greater things to your glory,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bless the mission of St Stephen’s,
that in this region
we may be a welcoming presence,
an answered prayer,
a caring support,
a centre for Christian teaching,
a celebrating and worshipping church
that reaches out in witness to your redeeming love,
and calls everyone to faithful discipleship
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God, our Father, bless we pray,
the work undertaken in your name
in the church hall and foyer.
We pray for the safety of all workers and volunteers,
and for a job which is well done and glorifying to you.
To this aim help us to give our best, in time, labour and money
to achieve that which you desire,
and may all that is done be symbolic
of the renewing power of your Spirit in our lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.