Prayers for Ordinary 22

Prayers Sunday 31 August 2014 by Mrs Morag Stewart

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for those whose influence has led us to come to worship here this morning. We remember family members, Sunday School 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

Almighty Father, we want to praise and thank you for giving us so much to enjoy in the world. Open our eyes to see all the beauty around us as Summer turns to Autumn and the harvest is safely gathered in; help us to appreciate your greatness in giving us the different seasons, each fulfilling our needs. Help us to safeguard them so that our children and future generations will benefit from the natural beauty which you have created. 

Loving Father, we remember and pray for the children and young people in their daily learning.
We think of children who will be spending their first hours away from home in nursery school, infant school or play group:  those who are eager and active as they explore and welcome new experiences and new relationships, those more shyly weighing up their first steps, those who cannot enjoy physical exercise and those who cannot learn in ordinary ways.
We think of young people who have choices to make:  those for whom the choices seem unreal and unrelated to the rest of their experience, those growing in confidence, enjoying learning and gaining a wider experience of life through school, those defeated by an unsympathetic system, those entering their final year at school and facing important decisions about their future.
We think of young people going on to further their education: those starting college or university for the first time and finding their values tested and their horizons widened, those who are starting day release or apprenticeships, those for whom education seems an end in itself providing no clear direction for the future.
We think of all children and young people, praying that they may be worthy of the best in our society, and society worthy of their potential.
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 other s, 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 war 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

Heavenly Father,
we pray for those who are sick, especially those whose illness is long term and demands much patience to bear. We remember before you those who are lonely and depressed and pray that we may be good listeners when friends and neighbours need us. Give us the right words and help us to know what simple acts of kindness may help someone else. Comfort with your presence those who suffer in body, mind or spirit and give them courage and hope in their troubles.
We remember before you those who have died and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Give strength to those who are left to grieve and help us to share in each other's sorrow.
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. Today we remember:

You turn our darkness into light,
in your light shall we see light.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ

The Lord’s Prayer