like a thief in the night

 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 

in darkest hours, close

folding in to self – safe: 

now, he draws you out! 

What really is

1 Thessalonians 2:9–13 

Holy One, Holy Three,
help us to listen

and hear from each other

your voice, your word 

of love; help us 

to speak so that others

may hear from us your

voice, your word of love. 

Amen. 

To care deeply

 

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 

One: May we care so deeply 
All: that we will share our very selves 

We pray for those who suffer 

all manner of mistreatment, 

especially the mistreatment 

of systemic prejudice that keeps 

refugees at bay, disenfranchises

Indigenous peoples, women, children,

dehumanises those of different colours,

faiths, genders, sexualities, abilities. 

One: May we care so deeply 
All: that we will share our very selves 

We pray for the oppressed,

the poor, homeless, unemployed,

kept out of job and education

opportunities by systems stacked

in favour of the already favoured. 

One: May we care so deeply 
All: that we will share our very selves 

We pray for those who care,

who tend to the sick and dying,

in hospitals, aged care residences,

homes and hospices; for nurses

and doctors, administrators, social

workers, psychiatrists, psychologists,

counsellors, healers in many

traditions and practices. 

One: May we care so deeply 
All: that we will share our very selves 

We pray for those who lead 

our country, territory/state/county, church

in its various councils, lead our clubs 

and choirs and committees:

for their wisdom, patience, 

and courage.

One: May we care so deeply 
All: that we will share our very selves 

We pray for ourselves 

and those closest to us, in the silent

sighs of our hearts ...

pause 

One: May we care so deeply 
All: that we will share our very selves 
Amen. 

for what we may be remembered

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 

Dear Holy One,

as Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy wrote

with thanksgiving and joy

to the church in Thessalonica 

so long ago, 

we write in hope for ourselves: 

May we be a people 

mentioned in the prayers of others,

remembered before you

as faithful, loving, steadfast

in hope in Jesus the Christ; 

may we be siblings known

to our kin in Christ as 

beloved of Holy One, showing

in our way of being that we have chosen

to follow You, through what kind

of people we prove to be. 

May we be imitators of Christ

and the faithful saints gone before; 

courageous under attack and temptation,

inspired by the Holy Spirit,

and example to other members

of your Body – may our 

commitment to You be known 

by all, our welcome of all,

our resistance to this world's idols,

our love for Christ who rescues – 

Dear Jesus the Christ,

may we be a people

worthy of your name. 

Amen.