INTERCESSIONS
18th November 2001
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to listen than we are to pray, and you give more than we desire or deserve. So we ask that you hear our prayers for both ourselves and for others and that we respond by obeying your will and by doing only what is righteous in your sight.
Father God, creator of all that is both seen and unseen, on the scale of your universe, our day to day joys and concerns seem insignificant and yet we are taught through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, that we are precious to you. And so, we are encouraged to bring our prayers for others before your throne of grace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for peace in our world.
Such prayers for peace have gone out from mighty cathedrals and humble house
groups and from all corners of the world. The prayers have been initiated by
both recent and tragic events and those which are now just distant memories
of near-forgotten conflicts. Sometimes the cataclysmic events of recent
weeks seem like the prelude to prophecies made long ago and our fears are
heightened.
In the face of world events and our perceived powerlessness, help us to remember the words and actions of Jesus, which were to deal with the here and now and to reach out to fellow humankind in whatever need.
And so Lord of Peace, make us first peacemakers in our own street, help us to be aid workers to the needy in our own community, to become centres of calm in our town, teach us to walk humbly in adversity in our own country. Then, show us what we can best do to aid others both at home and abroad and let others see your Peace in our daily lives and let that peace spread to infect populations world wide.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our society in Britain today especially where there is conflict between communities. We continue to pray for Northern Ireland, for the NI Assembly and the Good Friday Peace Process. Help all peoples of faith to continue in their search for ways forward in the face of deep rooted and fostered bitterness.
We pray for inner city areas where Asian and Western cultures are often seen as being incompatible, where Mosques, Temples, Synagogues and Churches are vandalised and the young are exploited for neo-political ends. St. Paul taught that in Christ there can be neither Jew nor Greek. We pray that words of tolerance are preached by all community and religious leaders.
At this time we pray for men and women in our armed forces, especially those in the world's centres of conflict thinking especially of Afghanistan. When faced with uncertainty, alien cultures, difficult decisions and inhospitable terrain we pray that you will guide them to do what is right and just to help them face danger with courage and arm them with the desire to show mercy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We think now of our Church here at St. Marks and our sister Church at Putnoe Heights and of the Christian Church worldwide. We pray for the leaders of our Methodist and Anglican parent denominations and other Christian denominations represented in our congregation here Sunday by Sunday. May our worshipping together be a sign to all that in Christ we are all one people. Grant wisdom and discernment to all who have leadership roles within our churches both lay and ordained and that they may continue to seek your guidance on the decisions of the day.
Let our church be open to all who seek after God's truth and that all may find a welcome.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those in industry and commerce faced with upheavals in the national and global economies. We hear of large and respected organisations with near worthless shares and farmers trying to pick up the pieces to rebuild livestock herds. And so we pray for all faced with making major decisions about redundancies and those facing the festive season with job uncertainty. Help those in positions of influence to recognise the human dimension in every crisis.
We pray for those near the bottom of the economic ladder, those without work or incapable of holding a job, those relying on state benefits and charity support and today we think especially of those in our prisons. Help us to realise that in every story of success there are others of failure, frustration and often humiliation. Jesus made no distinction between the rich and famous and the crippled beggar, help us to be no less discerning.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the sick, both at home and in hospital or hospice. Lord Jesus who responded to the needs of all those who had faith; comfort and sustain those who are in need of your grace at this time.
As we share a moment of silence together, we bring before you those known only to us and name them in our heart.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Especially do we pray for those who mourn the loss of loved ones, whether recent or long ago. Let the knowledge of your resurrection in glory be comfort to all those who mourn
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.
 |
You turn our darkness into light, |
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
A final prayer for ourselves.
Help us not to be overwhelmed by the dramatic events in the world but to
trust in Jesus Christ our Saviour who teaches us, when in adversity, 'to
stand firm and gain life'.
Merciful Father:
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Bible Notes and Readings for 18th November 2001.