INTERCESSIONS
Ascension Sunday Prayers Led by Mrs Morag Stewart
Heavenly Father we come to you in the greatness of your love and lift up our hearts in prayer and praise. We thank you that the way to your presence is always open through Jesus Christ and that you invite us to draw near in full assurance of faith. Help us to pray simply and sincerely, unselfishly and gratefully, remembering the needs of others as well as our own, and giving thanks always for everything in the name of Christ our Lord
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for our church
0 God our Father, as we pray for your blessing to rest upon this Church. We are grateful for its worship and fellowship; for the care and teaching of children and young people; for its nurture and love. Help us to see the kind of church you need today. May we not lose sight of the many and varied needs of this neighbourhood. Hold up before us the vision of your kingdom, a kingdom of justice and mercy, truth and compassion. Help us to grasp the meaning of the gospel which you have entrusted to us, and give us grace to live by it.
We pray for those who are less fortunate than ourselves; those who live in developing countries and countries where there is very little stability. Teach us to be ever mindful of those who are weary with the relentless struggle to keep alive; for those who can never look forward to a good meal and a comfortable bed, and those who barely have the necessities of life, much less its extras.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for our children as they grow up in our family circle. Give us understanding of their needs and show us how best we can help them as they face their problems and prepare for life in the world. Help us to establish a relationship of trust between them and ourselves and to make our homes a place where at all times they may find love and security. We remember all those young people who are sitting public examinations at school, at college or at university and pray that their efforts will be justly rewarded and that they will achieve what is necessary to move forward along their chosen path.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for people who are frightened because they are ill. Reassure them that because of the knowledge that you give to us, many diseases can now be cured. Help them to have confidence in those with medical knowledge to diagnose illness and care for the sick. Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering. We pray especially for those who have no one to help them, that in their loneliness they may know that you are with them.
Lord
in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall. Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom. We pray for families throughout the world who have lost loved ones this week both through tragic events and through natural causes. May they also experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within them and the love and fellowship of the Church Family around them.
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. We remember today (Names)
You turn our darkness into light in your light shall we see light
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Father we pray that as we come before your table today that our communion is not mere routine but a precious times of fellowship with Jesus Christ as we thankfully remember his redeeming love and meet with him as our living Lord. May we come to your table with joyful and expectant hearts, and go out afterwards nourished and strengthened in spirit to serve you in the world, to the glory of your name.
Merciful Father
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen
The Lords Prayer