Prayers of Intercession Apr. 3rd 2005

 Family Worship with Baptisms at 9-30 am

 

Readings:

1. Acts 2 :14a, 22-32  Peter addresses the crowd.

2. 1 Peter 1: 3-9. Living Hope

3. John 20: 19-31 Seeing and believing.

 

After these prayers of intercession we shall say together the Lord’s prayer as printed on your Order of Service.

The bidding for our prayers will be ‘Lord in Your Mercy’

With the response ‘Hear our Prayer’

 

Almighty and everlasting God – We come before your throne of grace to make known those issues and concerns which burden our hearts and those of your people this world over. We come because our Saviour Jesus taught us that your love for us is unending and, by giving up his life for us, showed the way to a life everlasting. We bring our prayers not only because it is good to talk but also because it is good to listen – for your will for us.

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

 

We pray for our church here and at Putnoe Heights, and especially today for our brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Philip & St. James as they and Roman Catholics the world over mourn the death of their spiritual father and our Lord’s faithful servant John-Paul II. Give wisdom and courage to those who, in due course, face the task of selecting his successor.

We pray for our ministers Charlie, Neil, Joan and Sam and bless all who hold office in our church and have influence on decisions and we pray for guidance and wisdom as the church encounters the many challenges in its work today.

We pray for those issues between the churches that cause division. We ask that as God is Lord of all and as Christ died for all, that we who confess ‘Christ is Risen’ may seek to build on those things which unite us in our desire to see the Kingdom of God strengthened here on Earth.

 

Today we thank you for the gift of children entrusted into our care and especially today for Olivia Taylor, Elliott Amber and Claire Catherine Carley and their families and friends here today. We pray that in the years to come they will themselves be able to reaffirm the commitments made today in their name.

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

 

We pray for this your world, set like a jewel in the blackness of space, and home to all your children whom we are challenged to call our neighbours.

As the islands of Indonesia feel the power once again of creation’s echoes we pray for the survivors many of whom will have lost loved ones. Loving God, support and strengthen your suffering people and give wisdom and courage to those involved in humanitarian relief and reconstruction.

 

We pray for that forgotten tragedy in Africa in the Darfur region of Sudan where the death toll from violence has been so understated. Let hearts, which have refused to listen to the cries of the people, be stirred into action to halt the inter-ethnic conflicts and so bring peace and reconciliation in this and in so many other trouble and conflict torn regions of the world.

 

We pray for the people’s of Zimbabwe facing the continued rule of the ZANU PF party and especially for Christians who have dared to speak out openly against injustice, corruption and intimidation. Comfort and support all peoples who feel trapped and threatened by seemingly immovable and repressive regimes.

 

And so we continue to pray for the work of the United Nations as the only avenue through which the nations can be encouraged to work towards common goals of peace, justice and harmony. 

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

 

And so we think now of those in need in our own community, the elderly, the housebound and those in care homes, hospital and hospice. Also we remember the rejected, the unloved the rebellious and all those on the margins of what we term ‘society’. And so we pray for all those who minister to so many different needs, both from within the family, the Churches and from the other professional and voluntary services.

As we share a moment of silence together, we bring before you those known only to ourselves as we name them in our hearts and commit them to your loving care.

(A short period of silence)

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

 

We pray for those who face the pain of grief whether from a recent loss or from long. And today we remember Chris and Patricia Izzard and their family at this time of sorrow. Help us to support all those who mourn, both with our prayers and with practical help both this day and in the days and weeks to come.

Help us remember that : -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

 

A final prayer for ourselves: -

Help us to remember the story of Thomas and never be afraid to announce the presence Jesus in our lives as our Lord and our God.

 

Merciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.

 

Gathering our prayers and praises into one let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

 

THE 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.