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Intercessions for Ordinary 30 by Mr Mike Elliott
Prayers of Intercession Oct. 28th. 2007
Morning Worship at 9-30 am, 30 Ordinary
Readings:
1. JER.14:7-10, 19-22 Acknowledge own sins and God
2. 2TIM.4:6-8, 16-18 Run the race, kept the faith
3. LUKE 18: 9-14 Pharisee & Tax Collector in Temple
The bidding for our prayers will be ‘Lord in Your Mercy’
With the response ‘Hear our Prayer’.
After these prayers of intercession we shall say together the Lord’s
prayer as printed on your Order of Service.
Heavenly Father, You have given us minds capable of great scientific
theories and discoveries and yet we only scratch the surface of what
lies within your creation. Help us as we continue on this journey of
discovery to use our knowledge only for good-purposes and that in this
journey we seek a right relationship with you so that we not only
understand the ‘what and the how’ but also the ‘who and the why’.
As we pray for this world on which we live, and which you have entrusted
to us, we ask that the nations of the world may come together with
fitting responses when faced with the big questions of the day. We think
of climate change, poverty, migration, conflicts and so many more
pressing concerns. We ask that in all deliberations that guidance will
always be sought as to your will.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
As we pray for all your people in every kind of need so do we pray for
your Church, often seen as an irrelevance in our western world of rapid
progress, affluence and a 24/7 society. Help us to broadcast our
strength which is the revelation that in Christ are answers to heartfelt
questions that many are seeking. Help us, who are your church, to place
no stumbling block in the way of those that seek the eternal or even of
those who come not knowing what they seek. Help us to be welcoming,
concerned, prayerful and open to your holy Spirit in whichever way it
leads.
We pray for our church here at St. Mark’s and at Putnoe Heights and for
our ministers Charlie, Joan and Sam and for all who share in the
church’s mission in the community and the world at large.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for peace in your world; remembering the example of Christ the
Prince of Peace. We call to mind the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan - the complex tensions between Israel and Palestine - the
turmoil in Darfur - and now the war of words over Iran plus countless
other violent skirmishes which do not make it past our media editors.
In all these conflicts words have failed, trust has been lost and
national or racial antagonisms have been let loose. We pray for all
involved in dialogue either as a means to prevent conflict or as a first
step in its cessation, that all men and women of peace will be aware
that they do your will.
As we approach Remembrance Day do we especially remember and pray for
our service personnel posted overseas and their families. We are only
too aware of the mounting number of deaths and injuries borne in our
name.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for this our nation, for Her Majesty the Queen and for all who
serve the common good in whatever capacity; We remember those in high
office with great influence, power and responsibility, those in the
Caring professions juggling home-life with changing shift-patterns or
the great army of Volunteers without whom society would be the poorer.
Today we especially pray for the work of BeCHaR and its work amongst the
homeless and rootless here in Bedford.
We pray for parents who seek what is best for their children amongst so
much choice, conflicting advice and constant commercial pressure.
We pray for those, mainly in our big cities, who have grown up not
knowing love or with little guidance or role models who now see the
world as a battle ground in which rival gangs vie for supremacy.
In all these aspects of our national life there is a growing need for
the re-discovery of a spiritual dimension which we earnestly pray that,
with God’s grace, may continue to be at the centre of our nation; a
source of comfort and strength for all those who seek it.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
Lord Jesus, comforter and healer to those in both physical, mental and
spiritual need, we bring before you those known to our congregation
here, or to us personally, who are in any sort of need at this time. We
name them in our hearts in a moment of silence and are emboldened to ask
that your healing touch may be felt in their lives and that they know
your peace (silence).
All these we hold up to your tender mercy and commit to your loving
care.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We thank you Lord for the opportunities in the life of our church to
offer support and comfort to the bereaved. And so we pray for those in
our midst and the wider community who face that pain of grief at the
loss of a loved one. We also think of those families struck by tragedy
recently whilst on holiday. For we can claim in confidence 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: -
Joy Ainsworth
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:
In all our actions in serving Christ and his Church, help us to be
humble and to give you the glory but also let us be bold in praising
your name and spreading your word.
Merciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our
Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one as we say the Lord’s Prayer
together.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Traditional Form
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.