Prayers of Intercession January 9 2005
Morning Worship at 9-30 am, Covenant
Readings:
1. Exodus 24:3-11 Book of the Covenant
2. Romans 12:1-2 Living sacrifices.
3. John 15:1-10 “I am the true vine”
After these prayers of intercession we shall sing the Lord’s prayer as printed on your Order of Service.
The bidding for our prayers will be ‘Lord in Your Mercy’
With the response ‘Hear our Prayer’
Almighty and everlasting God - who fashioned a universe not only of awesome beauty and grandeur but also of immense and oft untameable power when seen through the lives of fragile creatures such as ourselves. As we face the enormity of what we term ‘natural disasters’ we come before you with our collective and individual pleas knowing that we will be heard, because our Lord and Saviour, told us that you are our loving Father. And when we ask the big question WHY, help us to see the child in the manger or the torn figure on the cross. For we surely realise that we do not bear all this on our own and, in response to our Covenant, are more than able to put our faith into action.
Christ’s is the voice which calls us to care.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We continue to pray for the survivors of the Tsunami. For the countless bereaved, for those still hoping for news of the missing; for the growing army of aid workers getting to grips with what seems an impossible task and for those individuals and governments across the world who have heard the cry of their fellow man and responded with unprecedented generosity and for the United Nations officials putting the cash and material resources offered to best use.
We pray also for those parts of the world in conflict, manifest not only through open warfare but also in the bitterness arising from sectarian, racial, financial and historical divisions. Give wisdom and courage to those involved in bringing peace to warring factions or furthering dialogue and understanding where often there is none. Especially do we pray for the ethnic tensions and conflicts in SE Asia in areas now perhaps forced to work together in reconstruction.
Neither must we forget the needs in so many other parts of the world especially Africa where the scourge of AIDS continues almost unchecked and of the crippling effect of Debt on many of the developing world’s economies. In all these areas Lord you are there, waiting for us to work alongside.
In all this Christ’s is the World in which we move.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for our church here and at Putnoe Heights, for Circuit and Deanery, District and Diocese. Bless all who hold office and have influence on decisions and we pray for guidance and wisdom as the church encounters the many challenges in its work today. Especially we pray for the Clubhouse project, the Autism building fund and the continuing work among the bereaved and young children. Through these, and in so many other ways, help those around us to see that Christ can and does touch lives today.
For Christ’s are the folk we’re summoned to love.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We think of those in need in our own community, the elderly, the housebound and those in care homes, hospital and hospice. Also the rejected, the unloved the offender and others on the margins of society. We pray for all those who minister to their needs, both from within the family, the Churches and from the other professional and voluntary services.
As we share a moment of silence together, we bring before you those known only to ourselves as we name them in our hearts and commit them to your loving care.
(A short period of silence)
Christ is the one who meets us here.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for those who face the pain of grief, whether as a result of a tragedy like the recent Tsunami or at the end of a prolonged illness or in situations only you Lord fully know. Help us to support all those who mourn, both with our prayers and with practical help both this day and in the days and weeks to come.
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: - Christine Milway
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: -
As we contemplate the suffering in the lives of so many and in the light of the promises we have made today, help us to re-evaluate our own lives and where in that life you are to be found.
To the lost, Christ shows his face
To the unloved, he gives his embrace
To those who cry in pain or disgrace
Christ makes with his friends a touching place.
Merciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, we sing together the prayer our Saviour taught us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
New Form
Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come, your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our sins.
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours,
Now and forever. AMEN
(Acknowledgement to the Iona Community for the use of words from ‘A Touching Place’)