Easter 5

Let us pray.
We have come from different places,
with different prayers in our hearts,
and different challenges in our lives.
But united now, with one voice, we say,
thank you, Jesus, for uniting us through your love
and rooting us in our church fellowship,
where we can grow and play and learn.

Bidding You are the vine, we are the branches     
Response May we bear the fruits of love

Dear God,
when we are tempted to go our own way,
forgive us, and draw us back to the vine of your Church.
When we are tempted to ignore the worries of our friends,
forgive us, and draw us back to the vine of your kindness.
When we are tempted to stop praying for the needs of the world,
forgive us, and draw us back to the vine of your love.

Bidding You are the vine, we are the branches     
Response May we bear the fruits of love

Loving God,
We pray for the people of Nepal, devastated by an earthquake
at this time, we know you are present among the suffering
May your comfort be known by those in that darkest valley
We pray that help will reach all those who need it,
And lift to you Christian Aid's partners in Nepal,
As they seek to swiftly respond to those in need

Bidding You are the vine, we are the branches     
Response May we bear the fruits of love

Loving God, we thank you that we can always come to you,
and trust you with the things in our lives that need to be quietly nurtured and regularly pruned.
Shape us and keep us rooted in your love,
that we may be strong in our faith, and gentle in our lives.

Bidding You are the vine, we are the branches     
Response May we bear the fruits of love

Lord Jesus, thank you for connecting us all through your love.
We pray for all who feel alone, disconnected or abandoned by their families, their friends or their communities.
We pray especially for those we know who are having a difficult time,
who need special reassurance and understanding.
Help them to feel your presence with them,
and help us to be people who bring hope and love to others.

Bidding You are the vine, we are the branches     
Response May we bear the fruits of love

Let us be strong in Jesus and flourish.
Let us be rooted in Jesus and fruitful.
Let us abide in Jesus and be blessed.
We ask this in your name, Lord.
Lord in you mercy   Hear our prayer
Bidding You are the vine, we are the branches      Response May we bear the fruits of love

 "Lord of all. We offer our deep thanksgiving for the gift of new life
And especially for the daughter born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Sister to Prince George.
Pour your blessing upon the whole family, and be their light
and guide in all that they are called to be and do in life.
Enfold them in your love and hope, now and always we pray
Through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen"
{Church of England published this prayer for the birth of Princess Charlotte.}

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light no darkness can quench. We remember before God those who have died and light a candle to symbolize the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope.

We remember in our prayers today our loved ones, friends and those who have recently died.

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

Merciful Father accept these prayers in the name of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Let us say together the prayer that Jesus taught us:

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 & ever. Amen.