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Intercessions for the Sixth Sunday after Easter By Mr Alan Bayliss
Prayers for Sunday, April 22nd 2007
We have been enjoying some beautiful sunshine and colours of Spring, so
let us thank God for Creation…
Creator God, we worship you. In the beginning you said, “Let there be
light”; and the light shone, piercing the darkness.
You have made the vast universe and amidst its movements and glories,
your Spirit is at work.
Scattering the stars and moulding the hills, you have made a world full
of beauty.
You have made humankind in your own image, stewards of the earth,
partners in Creation.
We are here because of you: that we exist is your doing. You are our
God, our Parent giving us life, lavishing gifts upon your children. The
distances of space praise you. The depths of our being acknowledge Your
creating power. Creator God, we praise you.
Lord in your Mercy; Hear our prayer.
We have welcomed Luc into our Church family this morning…
God of water, Lord of life, we thank you for the moments in history
which have pointed towards the mystery of baptism: your spirit brooding
over the waters of creation, bringing order out of the chaos; Your
people striving out of Egyptian slavery through the wind-blown passage
in the Red Sea; and Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river, with the shock
of the voice saying: “You are my son.”
May we who are baptised already be renewed in our baptismal promises, in
a spirit of love and trust; and may Luc, your beloved child baptised
today be blessed, and stay close to you now and always.
Lord in your Mercy; Hear our prayer.
Remembering local elections are due on 3rd May, a prayer for our
communities
We thank you, Our Father, for those whose work sustains our nation, and
this community in which we live; for all who create the wealth by which
we trade, for those who grow and provide our food or who in industry,
commerce and transport bring it to our homes.
We thank you for those who, day and night, maintain the public services;
for the police, for those who respond to emergencies, and for all whose
work is in health or healing or social care.
Teach us to remember that all our lives depend upon the work of many
minds and hands; and we pray that we may live thankfully and in unity as
members of one human family.
Lord in your Mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for the students injured and killed at Virginia Tech this last
week, also their families and the family of the gunman (also distressed
by his actions)…
Lord God, we live in a world in which your presence is easily hidden. As
we reflect on the horror of last week let us remember that you have
placed within us the hunger for a better world. O Lord, you are the one
who is present even in peoples’ distress, for through the Cross of Jesus
Christ you share in the oppression of all who are suffering. You are the
light that never goes out. You are the eye that never closes. You are
the ear that is never shut. You are the mind that never gives up. You
are the heart that never grows cold, and you are the hand that never
stops reaching. Breathe new life into those who are broken hearted, lift
up those who are crushed, and bring healing to this world.
Lord in your Mercy; Hear our prayer.
Let us now pray for those who are ill and ask for God’s healing hand to
be upon them at this time, and let us remember also those who have died
and those who are bereaved…
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.
We remember ……….
The sun will no more be their light by day, nor will the brightness of
the moon shine on them, for the Lord will be their everlasting light and
their God will be their glory.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer.