Above, Below, Within Congregational Prayer

Thank you, God, for all that is
above us, below us and within us.
Above us the birds fly, the clouds sail,
the winds swirl around this beautiful blue globe.
Below us the earth is solid, gravity holds us,
water flows in subterranean channels,
beautiful minerals hide in bedrock,
unseen by all but you.
Our minds are boggled by this amazing world.
It’s too infinite for us to understand.
We see your signature in these mysteries
above us and below us.
Thank you that you are also within us.
You created our bodies with all their intricacies,
lungs filling, blood pumping, synapses snapping.
Thank you for our characters;
for generosity and selflessness, humility and humour.
There are parts of us which we find hard to control,
forces that lead us away from you;
jealousy, hatred, greed, lust.
These forces are mysteriously powerful in our lives,
Give us wisdom and grace to manage
our own lives, our own inner world.
Forgive us for the times this week
when we have not asked for your help,
but have gone our own way.
We need your help in our world;
give us good government that looks to the needs
of all our citizens, learning from the past
and planning for a sustainable future. 
As we gather today as a church,
we lift up concerns in our community, especially ___________.
This week, remind us that your Spirit is all around us
every hour of every day:
above us, below us and within us,
we are never alone. Amen.