Very Rev. Declan Hurley and Canon John Clarke
4th June 2010

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40,3-5

Prayer of Blessing

Father of all,
As we gather to open this new motorway, we recall how you commanded your people to make a highway in the desert, so that your glory and your peace would inhabit Jerusalem, and all nations come to worship you.
We call to mind how your Son, Jesus Christ, declared himself to be, the Way, the Truth and the Life, and how on the road to Emmaus, He gave hope and new life to his disciples.
Standing in this place, we recall how St. Patrick walked the roads of Meath, announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and calling the people to faith in the One God, who is Father, Son and Spirit.

Eternal Father,
We thank you for the gifts of the human mind and spirit that have created this roadway: the gifts of mapping, engineering, and construction.
We thank you for the efforts of many people, through whose hard work this road has now reached completion.

Loving Father,
Watch over with love and care all those who travel this motorway.
May they journey in safety, with due concern for the wellbeing of others, always mindful of the supreme value and dignity of human life.
May this road bring your people closer to one another, and may it help to develop unity and solidarity between communities separated by distance.
Be the companion of those who work on this roadway, especially the members of the emergency services as they strive to serve your people in moments of suffering.

And so we pray to you in the words our Saviour taught us: 
Our Father …

We ask this blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.