INTERCESSIONS
25th November 2001
Give us now a sense of your presence Lord, as we bring our prayers and requests to you, and enable us to open our hearts and minds to you.
First, a prayer for our world
Almighty God, it is your will that all nations should live in
harmony and understanding with one another. We ask you to look mercifully
upon the world of our day and heal the sorrows and sufferings of all
mankind. Save the nations from the lust for power, from racial hatred and
jealousy and from the worship of material things.
We think particularly today of Afghanistan, of the warring factions there and the thousands of refugees, and pray that a peaceful solution may be found and good government be elected. We think too of the Middle East and Northern Ireland and other places where there is prejudice and hatred. Grant Lord, that in every land the rule of tyranny may be broken, the cause of righteousness may triumph, and all people learn to serve you in peace and freedom.
We pray too for our own political leaders, for the United Nations and all on whom rests great responsibility at the present time. Give them wisdom to make the right decisions, courage to fulfill them and perseverance to continue their efforts to establish peace and promote the welfare of all humanity, to the glory of your Name.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
A prayer for children
Lord Jesus, you enjoyed the happiness and security of your home in Nazareth
and in your ministry gave your blessing to little children. We ask that you
would hold all the children of our churches and families in your love and
protection. May they, through the guidance of families and of your church
grow up to love and serve you. Help them in their days of dependency to
learn how to share with others and so be ready to take their places in the
world.
We ask too for your love and protection on all children who are unloved or unwanted, those who are abused in any way or have come under the influence of drugs, and we remember children of other lands, particularly the Middle East, parts of Africa and, nearer to home, in Northern Ireland, who are taught and encouraged to hate others and so spoil their childhood. Teach them, we pray, to love instead of hate, and so help the cause of peace in the future world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray now for those who live alone
Be with them, Lord, if they are separated from loved ones by
bereavement or in a solitary life, chosen or enforced. Let their inner
resources of love be strong enough to withstand the isolation or loneliness.
Help us all to love, and by our love to transform the unlovely.
Inspire us to use our influence in releasing the resources of society for those who are lonely, weak or underprivileged.
We ask in the Name of Him who came among us with a love unconditional and everlasting.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
A prayer for our churches
We ask your blessing on our churches Lord, and we pray for Charlie, Sam
and Peter. We ask your special strength in the extra work in which they are
now involved at Putnoe, and in the busy days coming up to Christmas.
We ask your blessing, too, on any others who serve your church in any way.
We thank you that within the family of the church we find friendship and we are grateful for the prayers and support of Christian friends around us. The comfort of that friendship gives us strength and as we find these joys in our own lives, may we give that joy to others, and may our thankfulness be expressed in deed as well as word.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thinking again of those troubled places of the world, we bring before the Lord all those who help and care for others--people who have no thought for themselves: the aid agencies, doctors and nurses, people from worldwide churches and all who seek to help their fellow men.
We ask your blessing on missionary workers who leave their families to serve you in other lands, often in dangerous situations. Give each one your strength when things seem too difficult or too hard to bear, and a certain knowledge or your love surrounding them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
A prayer for those who are ill
When we are ill, Lord, it is easy for us to become frightened. It is
frightening when we don't know what is wrong with us and fear it could be
serious. Sometimes pain is frightening because we are not used to it and
can't stop it. Sometimes, especially as we grow older, weakness is
frightening because we feel we shall never be strong again.
We pray for all who are sick, in pain, or frightened for any reason.
In a moment of silence, we bring to you those we know who are unwell . . .
And we remember before you those known to us who are hurting but are not able to accept you as a loving Father or to lean on you in their distress.
We ask too that you would comfort those who have been bereaved. 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, |
Finally, a short prayer for ourselves
Lord, we thank you for our happy days, but you know the fears and anxieties
that sometimes fill our hearts at what each day will bring. Free us from
panic and worry. Anchor our thoughts and minds in your great power and love
and send us into each new day with your peace in our hearts and the sure
confidence of your fatherly care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bible Notes and Readings for 25th November 2001.