INTERCESSIONS
11th November 2001 - Remembrance Sunday
Putnoe Heights
We begin our intercessions by thinking of God's greatness—Let us Pray:
We worship you, O Lord God, and give thanks to you for your great glory and power, which you show to your servants in your wonderful world. All the things which we enjoy are from your mighty hand, and you alone are to be praised for all the blessings of the life that now is.
Make us thankful to you for all your mercies and more ready to serve you with all our heart; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
This Remembrance Sunday, we remember all those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars; in subsequent conflicts and particularly we think of those engaged in warfare in many parts of the world today:
Have mercy, O God, on those who are victims of man's inhumanity to man;
Defenceless people in hideous war zones;
Families robbed of those they love;
Prisoners of war, ill-treated and tortured;
Old people and children dying of starvation;
And those who still bear the scars of former wars.
Deepen our pity, O Lord, into creative prayer which will inspire us to positive action, for the sake of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
As we are still living in an uncertain world, we pray now for young people everywhere:
Father, we pray for young people growing up in a difficult and dangerous world.
We pray for those who are unemployed, who have not worked since they left school and have never earned their own money.
We pray for those who are taking their first steps in their skill, trade or profession.
We pray for those who feel they have no support from the adults around them and who grow resentful at what they see to be their indifference.
We pray for those who are caught up in violence either giving it or receiving it.
We pray for those who are morally confused and uncertain of what is right or wrong.
We pray for young Christians as they strive to live out their faith in an unsympathetic world.
Father, you are head of all the family. Hear our prayers in Jesus' name. Amen.
And now a prayer for ourselves, that we may learn to be silent and listen to God:
Lord, you have taught us in your word that there is a time to speak and a time to keep silence.
As we thank you for the power of speech, we pray for the grace of silence.
Make us as ready to listen as we are to talk, ready to listen to your voice in the quietness of our hearts and ready to listen to other people who need a sympathetic ear.
Show us when to open our mouths and when to hold our peace that we may glorify you both in speech and in silence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We think of those who are unwell or in hospital, especially any known personally to us:
Father, we pray for those who are sick in body, mind or spirit. Please bring them your peace in their pain, your strength in their weakness and your comfort in their sadness.
And Lord, we thank you for the great resources of healing that are available to those who are sick.
For the skill of surgeons and the technical
abilities of support staff in operating theatres.
Thank you.
For medical knowledge and the healing power of drugs
and medicines; for chemist and pharmacists.
Thank you.
For nursing staff, for their professional skill and
their capacity for caring and encouraging.
Thank you.
For support teams of physiotherapists, occupational
therapists, radiologist, hospital social workers and hospital chaplains.
Thank you.
For administrative staff, ward orderlies, hospital
porters and ambulance drivers.
Thank you. Amen.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
Almighty God, Lord of life and vanquisher of death, we praise you for the sure hope of eternal life you have given us in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; and we pray that all who mourn the loss of those dear to them may enter into his victory and know his peace; for his name's sake.
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, |
We gather our intercessions together by joining in the Lord's prayer.
Bible Notes and Readings and
Sermon for 11th November 2001.