Prayers of Intercession for use in Church Prayers
Morning Worship at 9-30 am
(prayers 79.doc)
Readings:
2 Kings v1 – 14 Naaman is healed of Leprosy
1 Cor. 9 v24 – 27 “Run to win the Prize”
Mark 1 v 40 – 45 A man is healed of leprosy.
The bidding and response will be as on your Order of Service where you will also find the words of the Lord’s Prayer which we will say together afterwards.
We pray together,
Father God by who’s hands the universe was created,
Through who’s wisdom all mysteries are revealed
And by who’s love Jesus Christ our Saviour was sent into this our world.
And we who claim fellowship with that same Jesus, ask that you hear our prayers and move our hearts to respond in whatever way your purpose is fulfilled and your name glorified.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for your world-wide Christian Church, that its message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ is proclaimed with boldness and clarity.
We pray for the church’s influence in the legal and civil life of our country that its influence for the good of all citizens is not further eroded.
We pray for our parent Anglican and Methodist denominations, for their leaders at various levels of governance that the Holy Spirit will guide them in all decisions.
We pray for our own church here at St. Mark’s and at Putnoe Heights and for all who carry the work of witness and service forward in so many different ways.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
Our world, Lord, is not all as you wished it to be - with hatred, injustice and greed within and between the nations. We pray for a time when all peoples will live in mutual respect and co-operation.
We pray for centres of open armed conflict, thinking of Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, South Sudan and many others - that negotiation will be seen as the only solution and that leaders may stand up to the challenges of brokering peace deals with their former enemies.
In most modern conflicts the divisions are compounded by ethnic, tribal or religious differences and so we pray that the warring factions reassess their grievances and focus on those things which they have in common as a first step on the road to peace.
We remember our own armed forces overseas and the staff in British embassies themselves often under threat of attack. We pray for all their loved ones who are left at home to wait and worry and pray for safe homecomings.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for peoples across the world whose access even to basic healthcare is limited and who fall victim to diseases that, with modern medicines, are both readily treatable and preventable. We give thanks for the slowly declining number of leprosy cases and pray for the World Health Organisations programme to eradicate the disease and to banish the stigma associated with it. We remember all ‘aid agencies’ especially those still dealing with the aftermath of major natural disasters and we pray for those whose job it is to secure their funding in these stringent times.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for our own country and society that, despite financial woes, the weak and vulnerable are not forgotten. We pray for those who find themselves homeless that they can be found places in night shelters and hostels. We remember the work of BeChar and all who help the vulnerable here in Bedford. We pray especially for those who provide not only physical help but offer spiritual help and healing from which confidence, faith and hope can be restored.
At the start of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations we pray for Her Majesty the Queen, thanking God for her 60 years of service to the nation and Commonwealth and ask for God’s continued blessing on her as she attends the special commemorative events planned in the months to come.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the elderly, the housebound and those in care homes, hospital and hospice and those undergoing treatment or anxiously waiting the results of tests. We also pray for those who care for them and all who bring both material and spiritual comfort at times of need.
So now we share a moment of silence together as we bring before you those we know who are in need at this time.
Let them feel your presence in their lives as we name them in our hearts and commit them to your loving care.
(A short period of silence and reflection)
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’
We remember those we have loved but see no more and pray for those left behind to grieve for a while and then to continue on life’s journey knowing that it will not be the same in many different ways.
Help us all to show to the bereaved our love and compassion and to share the certain knowledge that………..
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: - Pat Gregory
For you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’