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Prayers for Epiphany 3
By Mr John Stubbs
As we share a common faith and hope, let us pray
trustingly together to the God who made us and sustains us.
Loving God, we come to the end of the special week during which we
remember the divisions in your church, and pray with Jesus that we may
all be one, united in love of you and in service to your world. We pray
for our fellow Christians throughout your world, thinking particularly
of all those for whom worshipping will lead them into dangers and
difficulty. Be near them and give them courage and strength in their
witness. Make them aware at all times that you are with them.
We rejoice in all who answer to your call and we pray for each other
asking that we may be true to the Gospel . We ask you to uphold all our
ministers and leaders as they guide us in your way.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer,
This week has marked the arrival of a new President of the United States
and with his coming an upsurge of hope for peace in the world. We pray
for him and for all who will work with him. We pray for the leaders of
the countries of the world. Help them so that together they may pursue
the search for peace. Above all we pray for those parts of this world
where life is a continual struggle and where peace is too often a dream
drowned under a sea of sectarian violence.
Bring peace to Israel and Palestine, to Sri Lanka, and to the many
strife torn countries of Africa. Help us to be peacemakers in our
neighbourhoods, with those we meet.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
This world is a place of richness and delight for many but not for all.
Greed and minimal concern for your wonderful creation has brought about
prosperity for some and poverty for others. Help us never to forget that
we are guardians of the many treasures which we possess. We hold them in
trust for you and for our children and children’s children. Help us once
again to commit ourselves to carrying out those responsibilities
faithfully and well. As the Psalmist says you have put all things under
our feet.
Lord in your mercy ,Hear our prayer
We bring before you in the quietness of our minds those people for whom
we have especial concern. In the silence let us list the – the sick and
the sorrowing – the lonely and the oppressed – those who mourn or
struggle for meaning in their lives – all for whom today will be marked
by difficulty beyond their powers to cope. Help them to find their rest
and support in you, and may you give strength and courage to those who
are carers.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray today for the families of who have come to the end of their
lives and who now live in the full light of Jesus. We light the candle
in his name reminding ourselves that He is the light of the world which
eternally shines and brings hope to all who turn to him , In your light
shall we see light and may we all come to your eternal transforming joy
Father, trusting in your mercy, we lay these prayers before you, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
Lord’s 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