Hands

This is a bit of liturgy I wrote for evening prayer in my local church.  

 

Evening Prayer—Hands

Lord come close to us

And draw us close to you

The day has passed and the night lies before us.

Today we have used our hands in many ways

Did we bless with a gentle touch?

Did we harm or destroy?

Have we worked or been wounded?

Who have we touched?

Take our hands Lord and use them as you would have them used for Your glory sake.

Lord we love you and lift our hands to you in thanks, praise and worship.

Silence is kept.

Open our hands to receive Your gift of love and life and all good things.
Amen.

The Word of God

Mark 5:25-29

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years.  She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  when she heard about Jesus she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought,"If I touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped.

 

Jesus give us the faith to touch you and be healed of all our ill health in mind,   relationships, spirit and body.

 Trace around your hand  and listen to what God has to say to you about your hands and how you use them.

Open our hands so we can  let go of resentment, anger, greed, fear and hiding.

Open our hands however scared they may be.  Your hands have scars.  You know my pain.

Open our hands to receive  all the love and joy and peace you have for us. Open hands are hands of hope.

Open our hands to do all the work we need to do.

Open our hands and give them gentle strength to wash the feet of our friends, to hug the ugly and ill, to cradle the baby and touch the old.  Open our hands to all who need a touch of your love through us. 

We give your our precious hands as you gave us yours. 

 Bless and anoint our hands in Jesus name. Amen