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notre dame montreal

Prayers of Intercession Jan 13th. 2012

 Morning Worship at 9-30 am
(prayers 83.doc) (The Baptism of Christ )
Readings:
Isaiah 43: 1-7 Israel’s only saviour.
Acts 8:14-17 Peter and John in Samaria and give the Holy Spirit.
Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22 John the Baptist baptises Jesus.

The bidding and response will be as on your Order of Service where you will also find the words of the Lord’s Prayer which we will say together afterwards.

We pray together,
Lord God, creator of all that is seen and unseen, giver and sustainer of life; you live beyond our imaginings and yet are with us here today.

So hear us as we bring before you now in our prayers of intercession our hopes and dreams for a better world, for better human relationships and for lives restored to wholeness. In all these we seek no more than your grace allows. And so…….

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

Lord we pray for your world-wide Church, that it may continue to spread into every corner of the globe.
We remember our sisters and brothers in the diverse continent of Africa where churches confront challenges on so many fronts and yet bring glory to Christ by their enthusiasm and witness.

We pray for our own Anglican and Methodist parent denominations and for all others represented in our congregations that all may work together to broadcast Christ’s message in this time and place.

 

So as we pray for our own church here at St. Mark’s and at Putnoe Heights we remember all who give of their time and talents in Christ’s name.

As we recall the baptism of Christ we remember and pray for all those baptised in this church, and their families, that seeds of faith may grow and blossom in the years to come.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

Father of all nations, we pray for an end to all that causes conflicts and wars. We think of divisions due to race and culture, of religion and sect, of the gulf between rich and poor and between the citizen and the stateless.  In all these situations Lord you showed that there are always solutions to what seem impossible tasks to overcome. Help those with the power to influence those precious moments of dialogue and negotiation to always look for just and hopefully peaceful resolutions.

We pray for peace in the civil war that threatens to destroy the ancient state of Syria. We pray for the UN peace mission there and its near impossible task of bringing the warring factions together to start negotiations towards a ceasefire.

We pray for those struggling with the aftermath of natural calamities whether due to our recent floods or the bush fires affecting southern Australia. We still have to learn that we are not master of every situation and that nature can be so unpredictable. We pray for the emergency services and all who contribute to lessening the impact of both material loss and of lives turned upside down.

We remember those trying to predict our world’s climate for future generations and those who must make strategic decisions at national and international levels based on them.

We continue to remember and pray for our own armed forces in Afghanistan as we hear of the first fatalities in this new-year. We pray for courage and compassion on the front line and for safe returns to those who wait at home.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

We pray for our own country and for all who hold offices of power and influence that their programmes and policies are ones which unite, encourage and enrich the lives of all people.  Once more we pray for peace on the streets of Belfast.

We pray for her majesty The Queen; especially at a time when far reaching changes in society are being contemplated, and pray that her Christian faith and example will wisely influence all those who seek her counsel.

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

We pray for those in our midst who are in need at this time. We remember the homeless, the long-term unemployed, the abused, those suffering from addictions and those who find life too much to bear. For all these we ask that the support and care available is offered with compassion and love and that, through your church, the peace of your presence is available to all who would seek it.  

We pray for those that we know who are sick or in special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts.

(A short period of silence and reflection)

As we have named them in our hearts so let them feel your presence and friendship in their lives as we commit them to your loving care.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

We also remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve for a while and then to continue on a lonelier journey through life.

As we share with those who are bereaved our love and compassion, help us also to share the certain knowledge that………..

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those who have died and light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope. Today we remember: -

Maureen Rose Paul

For you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

 

A final prayer for ourselves: -
Open our eyes Lord that we may see the wonderful world that you have entrusted to us.
Open our arms Lord that we may embrace the world with all its opportunities and all its challenges.
Open our minds Lord that we may know what you would have us do. AMEN

Merciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.

(We say together the words that Jesus taught us)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Authorised Version)

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever. AMEN