Prayers Sunday 16 March Lent 2

By Mrs Morag Stewart

Prayers Sunday 16 March, 2014
We thank you Father for those days in the desert when through prayer and fasting, Jesus discovered your will for his life and overcame temptation. Help us during these days of Lent, to come close to you and to listen to your voice.  Give us strength to overcome the temptation to please ourselves and live life without you.  Teach us your way.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for those whose influence has led us to worship here this morning. We remember family members, teachers, church leaders, friends and colleagues who have encouraged us to follow in the Christian way. We give thanks for the fellowship which we find in this church which supports us as we seek to put our faith into practice in our daily lives. Strengthen us, Lord, in your service, so that we, in our turn, may be an encouragement to others.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for a world in which even ordinary humanity fails so often.  We pray for government ministers in every nation.  We pray that those who lead and take on great responsibilities may not simply wish to seem great in the eyes of others, but may genuinely serve their people, searching continually for polices and strategies which will be for the good of all, especially for the weakest and most vulnerable.
We pray for the victims of war and violence among individuals and nations
We pray for the children who suffer when people put their faith in weapons and war
We pray for the multitudes in every country who do not want conflict and are ready to walk the road of peace
Hear our prayer and grant us insight and strength so that we may always respond to hatred with love, to injustice with total dedication to justice, to need with the willingness to share, to war with peace.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer

We pray for all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit. Surround the frightened with your tenderness, give strength to those in pain, hold the weak in your arms of love and give hope and patience to those who are recovering.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall. Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom.
Jesus Christ is the light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God all 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 in your light shall we see light.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Eternal God, through the self-offering of your Son you have filled our lives with your presence.  Help us in our suffering and trials and strengthen us in our weakness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ

We say together…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 Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory Forever and ever Amen.