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Intercessions for Ordinary 33 by Mr Ian Farthing

Prayers Sunday 18th November 2007

The Bidding for our prayers is Lord in your mercy and the response is hear our prayer.
Let us pray
 

Lord God our heavenly father the giver of all good gifts, we come before you today to offer our praise and to give thanks for your blessings to us. Forgive us that so often we are more ready to turn to you in times of trouble and need rather than to thank you in the good times.
No matter what happens to us, teach us to be thankful for every precious minute of time. Help us not to take for granted your gift of life itself, our health and strength, the love and support of family and friends, the beauty of your creation. You give so much to us dear Lord, help us to give you something in return, the love of our hearts, a willingness to serve you and to share your love with others.
Lord in your mercy
 

Lord God, in this troubled world we pray for the leaders of all nations and ask you to pour out your spirit of reconciliation and understanding on them. Give them a longing to bring justice, freedom from fear and freedom from want for all peoples.
We pray also today for the Christian Church, called to witness to your love in this generation. May Christians work with all men of goodwill to break down the barriers which divide people. May those who profess one faith respect those who sincerely hold another faith and build a community where there is harmony and understanding and where all people can live in peace which is your will.
We pray for our own community here in Brickhill and give thanks for those who share with us its activities and for those who serve its many and varied interests. Help us as we have opportunity to make our own contribution to our community and to learn to be good neighbours that by love we may serve one another.
Lord in your mercy
 

Lord God all merciful, we pray for all who face difficulties in their personal lives – those who are sick, those with problems in their families, in their friendships, in their neighbourhoods or in their workplace. Help us all to be calm in times of uncertainty, patient with those around us and steadfast in the knowledge that you share each and every moment and emotion with us. We ask you to guide us so that we can give, love, help and support to others around us who are in greater need than ourselves.
Lord we pray for those whom we have loved and see no longer, grant them your peace, let light perpetual shine upon them and in your loving wisdom and power the sure and certain knowledge 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.
We remember

You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light
Lord in your mercy
Lord God who called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown, stay with us on our pilgrimage through life, when we falter encourage us, when we stumble steady us and when we have fallen pick us up. Help us on our journey to become step by step more truly ourselves and with each step closer to you.

Mercifulful Father:
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen


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.