INTERCESSIONS
16th March 2003
Let us pray
Almighty God, to you we give thanks for the covenant relationship initiated by you. Help us to understand and live out the covenant of Christ so that, renewed by the Holy Spirit, we can become witnesses to the love of Christ in the world.
We pray for the church, in which we are the heirs of Abraham, restored through Christ by love and salvation.
We pray for the weak in spirit, the wavering in faith, for lapsed Christians and those who have never known you.
We pray for our ministers, Charlie, Sam and Joan, for the joy and mission of our churches. We pray we may follow where Christ has led, not counting the cost of the discipleship to which we are called.
Holy Spirit, in the household of faith, when we worship and witness, may we walk in faithfulness.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We bring before you the nations of the world and their leaders.
Help them recognise their common humanity and cease from hostility.
Especially we think of the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Northern Ireland. We pray for the worsening situation in Iraq, and all involved in the preparations for war, for the work of the United Nations striving for reconciliation.
Holy Spirit, in a frantic and fearful world, in places of confrontation and violence, may we learn to work in peace.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord we thank you for all those who through good relationships have shown your love, in families and schools and local communities to those in need.
We remember people who are lonely imprisoned and despairing. May they come to trust you and trust themselves.
Holy Spirit, where we have made commitments to friends and neighbours, may we show them respect and walk with sensitivity and understanding.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, we ask you to turn your healing love particularly to those who are sick, in pain and in hospital and bring comfort to their loved ones in their anxiety.
We pray for those who are homeless and distraught
We have in our hearts some known to us, some known to the church, and some known only through the news. Bring them all to a special awareness of your presence with them.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn them.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can
quench.
We commend to your everlasting love those who have died, and light a candle
to symbolise the life of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope.
We remember........................
 |
You turn our darkness into light, |
Holy Spirit, when we share in the sufferings and grief of our neighbours and friends may we walk in compassion and love
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Open our minds that we may understand
Work in our wills that we may answer your call and obey
Kindle our hearts that we may follow in the way of the cross.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen