INTERCESSIONS
11th May 2003
Let us pray...
Lord, we come to you in the assurance that you are present with us now.
We do not have to seek your presence.
We are daily living in your presence.
Make us aware of it; Make it real to us.
And help us in these moments of prayer to know that we are speaking to one who is near and not far off, whose love is all around us and who knows our every need. So may we be relaxed in your presence and our hearts be at peace. We ask it through our Saviour Jesus Christ, and in his name we pray. Amen.
We are privileged with all the natural resources we enjoy in this and other
countries, we pray for proper use of them
We rejoice, O Lord, that you have made the earth so rich in natural resources; and we pray that we may learn to use them responsibly;
Not wasting them on what we do not need;
Not polluting the soil, the air and the sea;
Not wantonly destroying the life of animals and plants;
But taking care to hand on to
others an earth fit for the life of humankind, To the honour of your name.
Amen.
We pray now for workers who are called to serve God overseas
Father, we ask you to protect those who cross the world's frontiers as heralds of Christ's kingdom.
In times of loneliness support them;
In times of disappointment give them patience;
In times of frustration strengthen them to persevere;
And at all times keep them aware of their dependence on you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We pray for family life, giving thanks for our own families and friends
God our Father, be with us in
our homes through this and every day. Help us, when we are tired, to control
our wills and tempers and to take thought for others. Make us loving and
patient, forgiving others as we hope to be forgiven; that in our homes your
royal law of love may reign. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We bring before God those known to us who are unwell in body or mind, and pray for those who minister to them
Almighty God, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ, went about doing good and healing all kinds of illness; continue his gracious work among us today in hospitals and nursing homes. Give wisdom, sympathy and patience to those who minister to the sick; and prosper all that is being done to prevent suffering and to forward the purposes of your love. We ask this in your name. Amen.
A prayer for
those who mourn and those who have died
Almighty God, Lord of life and vanquisher of death, we praise you for the sure hope of eternal life you have given us in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; and we pray that all who mourn the loss of those dear to them may enter into his victory and know his peace.
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
You turn our darkness into light
and in your light shall we see light.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
On earth as 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 for ever. Amen.
Sermon: Psalm 23 (PDF) format and Bible Readings and Notes for 11th May 2003.