Prayers for Sunday 31 October 2010

Give us grace, Almighty Father, to address you with all our hearts.  Teach us to fix our thoughts on you, reverently and with love, so that our prayers are not in vain, but are acceptable to you, now and always.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the beauty of the world around us
Dear God 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 of Autumn around us;  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.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We thank you, father for those whose work sustains our nation, and this community in which we live; for all who create the wealth by which we
trade, for those who grow and provide our food, or who in industry, commerce and transport bring it to our homes.

We thank you for those who, day and night, maintain the public services; for the police, for those who respond to emergencies, and for all whose work is in health and social care.  Teach us to remember that all our lives depend upon the work of many minds and hands; and we pray that we may live thankfully and in unity as members of one human family; through Jesus Christ our Lord

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Hear our prayer Lord for those who are less fortunate than ourselves; those who live in developing countries and countries where there is very little stability.  Teach us to be ever mindful of those who are weary with the relentless struggle to keep alive; for those who can never look forward to a good meal and a comfortable bed, and those who barely have the necessities of life, much less its extras.

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

Hear our prayer Lord, for people who are ill, in hospitals, at home, or wherever they may be.  Give them the courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering.  May the skills and knowledge of those who care for the sick be fully used to help and to heal. 

We pray especially for those who have no one to help them, that in their loneliness they may know that you are with them.

Father of all, we pray to you for those we love but no longer see.  Grant them your peace, let light perpetual shine upon them; and in your loving perfect will.

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

You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Father we pray that our communions may never be mere routine but always precious times of fellowship with Jesus Christ as we thankfully remember his redeeming love and meet with him as our living Lord. 
May we come to your table today with joyful and expectant hearts, and go out nourished and strengthened in spirit to serve you in the world, to the glory of your name.

Amen

Lords 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.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.