Let us quiet our hearts and minds in preparation for prayer as we share the light and love of God. On hearing the words "O God, our Shepherd", please respond with "Hear our prayers."

God of all seasons, thank you for the blessing of this day. We appreciate that spring is here. We love to feel the warm breezes, the sunshine on our faces and shoulders, the promise of life in the budding trees and plants. We eagerly anticipate the rain showers that provide nourishment and cleansing for all of life. We look forward to hearing the sweet sounds of the birds as they herald the spring, and prepare for rebirth. We eagerly watch and celebrate as each new green shoot pops out of the warming earth, we inhale the sweet scent of the daffodils and the honeysuckle, and enjoy the tender green growth on the trees. O God, our Shepherd...    "Hear our prayers."

Compassionate God, as we live out our busy lives, let us never forget those who are grieving, distressed, worried or ill. We remember especially, in our prayers today all those named on our Prayer List. We pause at this time to voice the names of others, either silently or aloud, for whom we are concerned...    ...O God, our Shepherd...    "Hear our prayers."

Holy and merciful God, receive our prayers, and fill our days with peace. Bless all who work for a peaceful world; peacemakers, peacekeepers and their families, and all those who willingly give of their time, their expertise and their lives to assist others in need. Be a source of strength for our brothers and sisters at Nyanyadzi Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. Today we particularly pray for the peoples of Djibouti and Somalia. In our Presbytery prayer cycle, we pray for Elk Valley Pastoral Charge: Knox-Fernie and Grasmere. On this Camping Sunday, we remember all the children and adults who, through the years, have benefitted from church camps, and we pledge our support. O God, our Shepherd...    "Hear our prayers."

Loving God, hear our prayers in this time of spring, this season of rebirth. We end our prayers with a quote from "Prayer for Rebirth" written by Keri Wehlander:

That we might dare rebirth,
Shaping a world that welcomes gentleness,
A world that dances with joy,
A world where God is at rest;
A world shaped not simply for ourselves,
But for all living things yet to come.