INTERCESSIONS
9th September 2001
Lord God, you are the father of all people and we bring our prayers knowing that you will hear us and help us.
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the whole family of your church. Grant that we, and all your people, may be built up in our faith, and always show in our lives the love we see in Jesus. Give courage to those who find it hard to follow you; to those who are finding it difficult to have faith because of a personal hardship or tragedy; to those who are made to suffer for their faith. Let your Holy Spirit support them, and may all Christians stand firm in the hope that your kingdom of love will come in all the world.
We pray for our country. Let your love surround the Queen and her family; give wisdom and guidance to our statesmen and leaders, and to all who have responsibility in education, in industry, and in commerce.
We pray for one another. Help us to grow together in faith and love, rejoicing in your fatherhood, and that we can bring our prayers to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the friendship we find within the family of the church. We are grateful for the support and goodwill of Christian friends around us. This is part of the joy of belonging to the church family. The comfort, peace and love of Christian friendship gives us strength. As we find these joys in our own lives may we also give them. Help us to love and serve each other so that our thankfulness is expressed in deed as well as word.
Almighty God, open our hearts that we may welcome the stranger and share our faith with others; open wide our minds that we may receive new truth and understand your will; open wide our doors that as we have come in to worship so we may go out with you to the service of the world; open wide our lives that through discipline and prayer we may experience your power in daily living.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We thank you, O Lord, that in a world where many disagreements exist between men and nations, your gospel comes to break down the barriers that divide, bringing friendship that extends across all boundaries because of our common faith in Jesus Christ.
We pray today for your church in countries other than our own; in countries where governments are hostile to Christianity give your people courage and endurance in the face of opposition; in nations where other religions hold sway give your people wisdom, patience and love.
Father we thank you for the new insights into the meaning of the gospel that are coming from many parts of the world. Make us more ready to listen to what your people in other parts of the world have to say to us, and help us all to share and work together for the unity of all men and the coming of your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the children and young people of our church, and for those who are beginning to sense the wonder, the mystery, and the difficulty of life. They are part of this church family which you have brought together in fellowship and care. We pray for understanding and wisdom in our worship and life together, so that all we do may lead our children into a fuller and richer understanding of your love and purpose. Help us to respond to their needs. Give us patience and compassion. Help us to offer them our time and our experience with true sincerity and love.
We thank you Lord, for those who have accepted the care and leadership of children and young people in the church. May your Holy Spirit increase in them the gifts and skills they bring to their work; grant them patience, imagination and love sufficient for their tasks and in the fullness of time, crown their service with true success.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for those who are old. Our thoughts are especially with those who have become frail and weak, those whose eyesight is failing; those who find it difficult to hear. We think of the lonely, with many memories and few friends to fill the long hours of the day; those who must have things done for them, when they wish so much they could still do them for themselves; those who are housebound, or living in hospitals or homes.
We pray for those who care for them and we pray that we ourselves may never neglect any opportunity to offer friendship and help. Teach us to be watchful for their needs and patient with their frailty and slowness, loving and serving them as honoured members of your family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for people who are ill, in hospitals, at home, or wherever they may be. Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering. May the skill and knowledge of those who care for the sick be fully used to help and to heal.
Our heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them. Give to them, Father, the strong comfort which no one else can give, and let them know the comforting power of the resurrection of Jesus.
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.
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You turn our darkness into light, |
Merciful Father:
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.