Church Prayers and Intercessions for Ordinary 20

Lord God our Heavenly Father, give us a sense of your presence as we bring before you our prayers for ourselves and for the world. 
Grant us gratitude as we remember your goodness, penitence as we remember our sins, and joy as we remember your love; and enable us to lift up our hearts in humble prayer and fervent praise.

Lord we ask you to open our eyes to the beauty and wonder of your presence in the world and let it be not just on those days when the sun is shining but on the days when the storm clouds roll in as well,
those days when we have lost our bearings and don’t know where to turn or what to expect, and we pray that your miracle of love, grace and compassion may be seen and experienced by all.

In a world which often seems to be so divided, angry, partisan, and judgemental. We pray today for goodness, reconciliation and forgiveness.
Peace will begin with us and we ask that the change we all so long for in the world would be present in our own lives and that we may be an example to others.

Lord we ask you to help us to seek out opportunities to work for understanding and tolerance between people of different religious backgrounds, different social backgrounds, different racial and political backgrounds.

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, earthquake, fire, famine and disaster.
For those whom disaster has left homeless, injured or bereaved and today our thoughts and prayers are especially with the people of Genoa and Kerala as they struggle to deal with terrible and catastrophic events of this week.
We pray for all who are desolate and in pain or sorrow this day.
We pray especially for anyone known to us who are sick, in trouble, or in need, and in a moment of silence we name them in our hearts

In your mercy, heal their sickness, dispel their fears, and may they know that you are ever near them, and may they enjoy the strong and steadfast comfort that your presence brings. Be the support of all who give their strength, their skill and their stamina in a ministry of providing relief.
Lord in your mercy
Lord as we come to your table today to partake of the bread and the wine, the body and blood of your son, may we come in meekness of heart and humility of spirit, knowing that we cannot approach you in our own righteousness, but because of Your great goodness and gracious mercy, in sending Your only begotten Son, to die on the cross in our place and to pay the price for our sin.
Help us all to live in newness of life and to walk worthily before You all the days of our life.

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 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 

 

Lord of life and Love with thankful hearts we acknowledge our lives to be a gift of your grace, renewed every morning and nurtured every day in your tender care.
Keep us faithful to the challenges this day and the week ahead will bring, make us a blessing to those whose lives we touch and show us how to receive in gratitude the blessings their lives bring to ours

Merciful Father

We will now sing together The Lord's Prayer