Prayers for Sunday 25 June 2013 Ordinary 12
By Ian Farthing
Lord God you are the father of all people and we come before you today with our prayers knowing that you will hear us, help us and guide us.
Lord we thank you for your love which freely forgives and welcomes us into the family of your church, for your love which abounds in the joy of creation so evident all around us
We give you thanks for the seasons and during summer for the refreshment, and rest that our holidays bring.
For the excitement of anticipation and planning, for the freedom from routine and for new experiences and opportunities.
You have given us a wonderful world that wherever we go, whether at home or abroad, we are surrounded by things which please our eyes and open our minds.
Help us to use the summer and our holidays to see your glory in creation. Help us to use our freedom to understand more clearly the fullness of life you are constantly offering us.
Accept our thanks for the rich variety of life which is your gift and when our holidays are over, help us to return to our homes safely, refreshed with new purpose and new vision of your will for us.
Lord in your mercy
Lord we pray for your church here at St Marks and at Putnoe Heights, for our ministers Charlie, Sam and Jane and we ask for your blessing on our work as we seek to create a church community that welcomes the stranger provides a refuge for those who feel threatened or alone and a place of belonging for all.
Lord in a world where the peace which is your will seems so far from our grasp we ask you to help us to seek out opportunities to work for understanding and tolerance between people of different religious backgrounds, and we pray especially for the work of the Bedford Council of Faiths as they seek to bring people together,
We pray especially that religious views would not lead to bitterness and hatred between us your children whom you so love and with whom your patience and tolerance is boundless.
We remember the example of the Good Samaritan who reached out to someone outside of his own religion and culture, may this example inspire us to go beyond our own comfort zones and help anyone in need regardless of them being different to ourselves.
Lord in your mercy
Lord today we pray for victims of war, flood, earthquake, fire, famine or disease. For those left homeless, injured or bereaved and our thoughts and prayers today are especially with those affected by the recent floods in India and Canada and the ongoing carnage of civil war in Syria.
Give all who suffer the love that bears all things, believes all things , hopes all things.
Be the support of all who give their strength, their skill and their stamina in a ministry of providing relief.
Lord on this day we pray for all those involved with Kisiizi in whatever role or duties they perform, however large however small, may they know that your guiding hand is with them in their daily work and tireless endeavours.as they seek to care and make a difference to the lives of the men women and children they serve
Awaken in us your living charity that we may all have a desire to ensure that right will prevail and may we not rest while people cry for bread or the basic necessities of life or go uncomforted for lack of love or someone to care.
Lord in your mercy
We pray for people who are frightened because they are ill.
Reassure them that because of the knowledge and skills that you give to us, many illnesses and diseases can now be cured.
Help them to have confidence in those with medical knowledge to diagnose illness and care for the sick.
Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering.
We pray especially for those who have no one to help them, that in their loneliness they may know that you are with them.
Lord in your mercy,
Lord, 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 those who have died and light a candle to symbolize the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope - we remember
Catherine Roberts
You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light
Lord in your mercy
Lord be with us in the week ahead help us to be good tempered and considerate, to work hard and not be lazy, to watch our
tongues and not speak hastily, to be cheerful even when things go wrong and to act kindly to those we find it difficult to like,