Church Prayers and Intercessions for Epiphany

Heavenly Father as we bring our prayers before you before you, give to us honest hearts as we bring you our thanksgiving and confess our needs.

Lord God, the friend of sinners and those in need, your Son Jesus has untied our burdens and healed our spirits. So we lift before you all those whose hearts are burdened and those who seek healing. At this cold time of year we pray for those who are homeless and helpless, may they be enabled to seek the help that they need to build their lives and find comfort and peace.

We pray for the nations of the world that justice, truth and mercy would govern the hearts of those who lead, that all people would be led in true peace. Especially we pray for leaders across Europe as discussions are held over the future of Great Britain within the European Union. Give wisdom to our politicians in this time of change.

We pray for our church and all of those who volunteer and give of their time to support our busy community centre. We pray for all the thousands of people who come through our doors each week that they may find here a place of welcome in your name. We pray for our preschool teachers and those who lead the work with children and families. We ask your blessing to be upon all who share their faith in practical ways by cleaning, preparing our churches for worship, moving chairs, making coffee or offering a welcome. We pray for our bishops Alan and Richard and our church leaders, that they may have wisdom and courage to seek to direct your church in right pathways. May your church at St Mark’s faithfully serve you and seek always to be faithful your calling to be a light in dark places, bringing about the ways of your kingdom on earth. We pray for each other in our witness and sharing of the good news among our friends and family, give us the words to say and the deeds to show always that you are Lord of our lives.

God of mercy and healing, you who hear the cries of those in need, receive the petitions of your people that all who are troubled may know peace, comfort, and courage. Lord Jesus you meet us in our suffering and supply our hearts with your strength when we call upon your name. Grant your protection to those in need, comfort them and may they know your presence in their affliction. Surround them with your tenderness and support them in your everlasting arms. We pray especially for those in hospital, care homes and those awaiting medical treatment. Be with those who cannot join with us in worship this day because they are in poor health, assure them of our prayers and your tender mercy.   

Gracious God be with all of those who mourn and may they know the tender compassion of your love. May the hope which you supply sustain all those who are troubled by grief, that it may never overwhelm those who call upon you.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world which no darkness can quench, we light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ as we remember ….N…  May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory.
Merciful Father……..accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen.  

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. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen