Prayers for Ordinary 23

Prayers Sunday 5 September, 2010

Lord God, you are the father of all people and we bring our prayers knowing that you will hear us and help us.

We pray for our church and thank you that there is so much friendship here. Show us how to help each other so that the worship we now offer is the worship of a true family.

We thank you for this church and pray for your blessing on all who share with us in life and worship. Save us as a congregation from being inward looking, over occupied with our own little affairs. Help us to take our eyes off ourselves and turn them on those outside. Help us to love and care for those we find hard to like. Teach us to understand and befriend all who have been hurt by life that they can only express themselves in hurtful ways. Help us to listen to each other, be gentle with one another, and to forgive each other.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

A prayer for Danielle Kara Baker
In our baptism you welcomed us into the family of your church. May your blessing be upon Danielle Kara who we have welcomed into the church family this morning. May your love surround her and grant that she may grow up to be a faithful member of your family and may learn to love you and know you as a friend.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We remember and pray for children and young people as they go about their learning.

At the start of a new academic year we think of children who are 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 relationships and those more shyly weighing up their first steps.

We think of those children who are returning to school to face new challenges and experiences to extend their learning.

We think of young people whose ability and circumstances allow them to accept the opportunity of further and higher education: those meeting college or university for the first time and finding their values tested and their horizons widened, those who are linking industry or commerce with education as they follow a day release course or an apprenticeship, those for whom education seems and end in itself yielding 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

Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them. Give to them, the strong comfort which no one else can give, and let them know the comforting power of the resurrection of Jesus.

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 today
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,
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer