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Church Prayers for 13 May 2012

Prayers of Intercession Easter 7 Year B 2012

 Morning Worship at 9-30 am (Friendship of Jesus)
(prayers 80.doc)
Readings:
Acts 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit descends on those who believed.
1 John 4:7-21  God’s love and ours to one another.
John 15:1-8   “I am the vine and you are the branches”

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,
Creator God, Father God and Loving God, by your divine will you have caused our universe into existence and ultimately ourselves that we might find our place within it to both give you praise and to be the people you want us to be.

We have earlier confessed our shortcomings and here ask for those things which seem beyond our control or our capabilities. We ask because you sent Jesus who taught us that you, our heavenly father,  would listen to his children.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

Father of all nations we pray for your world-wide Church, that it may continue to spread into every corner of the globe. We pray for mission partners who daily face challenges in countries where there is opposition to Christ’s message – and ask that in time those who stop and listen will hear of a God who loves them and so respond to his call.

At the start of Christian Aid week we pray for those who will be out in the community collecting – and that they will feel a part of your ministry to those who are in such desperate need.

In these supposedly secular times we pray for those who have rejected Christ’s offer of friendship whilst in search of that which is unattainable without it.   

So we pray for our own church here at St. Mark’s and at Putnoe Heights and for all who carry forward the important work of Christian witness to your eternal praise and glory.

And we boldly ask that vows made in this church today, of love and faithfulness in marriage and of Christian nurture in baptism may be upheld and guided by your Holy Spirit in the months and years to come.

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 remember with sadness those parts of the world where daily acts of terrorism and open warfare blight the lives of civilians caught up both in the action and in the harrowing aftermath. We pray that the Leaders of both small factions and of great nations will seek what is best for their people through only peaceful means and be ever open to your guidance.

We remember our own armed forces far from home and the sacrifices they make on our behalf. We pray for courage and compassion on the front line and for safe returns to those who wait at home when their tours are over.

We pray for all prisoners of conscience, imprisoned for speaking out against injustices in their own societies, and for those who work for human dignity and rights in the many countries where such things are ignored or denied.

We pray for the new Presidents in France and Russia and for those attempting to form a new Government in Greece that in these difficult financial times their new policies will bring unity and not divisions amongst their peoples.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

In our own country we pray for those who have gained new power responsibilities as a result of the recent local elections and that they will fairly represent the wishes of all people in their area.

We pray for those without work, especially the young, and that ambition and hope will not be crushed by idleness but that programmes will be developed to increase their skills and to harness their energy in a positive way.

We pray for those working to bring cohesion in and between communities especially where ethnic background and faiths present challenges and we pray especially for the people of Luton often at the receiving end of ignorant taunts.

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 hospital and hospice. We remember residents, and their, carers in William Harpur House, Highfield and Anjulita and Ladyslaude Courts.

We pray for all who care for them in bringing 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.
 (A short period of silence and reflection)
As we have named them in our hearts so let them feel your presence and friendship in their lives as we commit them to your loving care.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’

We especially 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 things will not be the same in many different ways.

Help us all to show to the bereaved our love and compassion and to share with them 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: -
Quentin John Lewis & Edgar York

For you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.

Lord in Your mercy.  - 'Hear our prayer’


A final prayer for ourselves: -

Lord Jesus we thank you that you are our true friend as well as our Saviour. Help us to show that friendship in the lives we lead and in the way we treat those we meet day by day. AMEN

 

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

(We say together the words that Jesus taught us)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Authorised Version)

 

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