INTERCESSIONS
Prayers of Intercession
Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praises; for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee.
St. Augustine, 354-450.
On this first Sunday in Lent, a prayer for Lent:
Servant Christ, help us to follow you into the desert, with you to fast, denying false luxury, refusing the tempting ways of self-indulgence, the way of success at all costs, the way of coercive persuasion. Servant Christ, help us all to follow you;
Lord in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
Every day in news bulletins we see and hear about world poverty and oppression, we pray now for this: Father, we thank you for men and women in every age who have been prepared to struggle and risk their lives for the rights of others.Thank you for those whose actions have brought us freedom from slavery, from despotism and from ignorance and disease.Help forward the work of all who still seek to bring such freedoms to men and women and children the whole world over.
Lord in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
A prayer for the pastoral ministry; remembering and giving thanks for the ministry here of Charlie, Neil, Sam, and Joan: Pour out your Holy Spirit, 0 Lord, on all whom you have called to serve your Church as pastors and teachers.Give them wise and understanding hearts; fill them with a true love for your people; Make them holy and keep them humble; that they may be faithful shepherds and feed the flock committed to their care; ever seeking your glory and the increase of your kingdom.
Lord in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
A prayer for the Queen and all in authority:
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we pray for our Queen and the Royal Family; The members of Parliament and all in authority; that they may govern our country with wisdom and understanding and for the good of your Church and all people.
Lord in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
We bring before God all who are sick and in need at this time, thinking especially of any known to us : Father, we bring to you the needs of those whose lives are shadowed by suffering, Praying especially for those whose sickness has no cure, whose sadness finds no comfort, and whose loneliness can never be filled. Bind up their wounds, 0 Lord, and lift their hearts to you.
Lord in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
A prayer for those who mourn, and those who have died:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort; Deal graciously we pray, with those who mourn, that casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love. 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 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, 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.