Prayers for Ordinary 24
Prayers of Intercession Sept. 14th. 2014
Morning Worship at 9-30 am
(prayers 89.doc) (Trinity 13 )
Readings:
Exodus 14: 19-31 The parting of the Reed sea.
Romans 14: 1-12 Do not judge other’s beliefs.
Matthew 18: 21-35 Forgiveness
The bidding today will be:- Lord, in your mercy .
and the response will be: - Hear our prayer.
And afterwards we will say together the words of the Lord’s Prayer as printed in your order of service.
We pray together,
Heavenly Father you have created a world of stunning beauty and grandeur but also of challenges and risks. However you also sent Jesus that he would not only show us the way to live but be on hand to respond to our faltering attempts at following in his path of truth.
So hear us now as we bring our prayers of intercession; our prayers for both ourselves and others - for we recognise that your guidance in the world is needed more than ever.
Lord, in your mercy - 'Hear our prayer’
Lord we pray for your worldwide Church in all its different forms. Especially do we pray for places where family, cultural and social pressures conspire to make being a Christian difficult and we ask that those under such pressures are filled with your holy spirit and find inner strength to hold fast to your holy name.
We give thanks for all churches in Bedford and pray for the ecumenical work that binds us together; especially we pray for BELIEF, the Bedford Street Angels and Friends for Life - that those who give of their time and talents may feel the support of the wider Christian community and know your presence in their work.
So we pray for our own church here at St. Mark’s and at Putnoe Heights; for all who promote outreach into the community or help to maintain here our life of worship and service. We pray for Charlie, Jane and Sam and Richard that through their leadership and preaching our churches may be guided in the certain knowledge that we are spirit led.
Lord, in your mercy - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for a world seemingly in never-ending conflict with itself. We are faced with once-stable nations in crisis due to factional divisions or struggles for justice and representation or just a failure to live with others of a different culture or faith.
Lord Jesus, you taught much about loving our neighbour and of forgiveness - help and guide those that try to ease the suffering of peoples caught in the middle of conflict and of those who promote peace by seeking mediation and dialogue.
We give thanks that some sort of peace now reigns over Gaza once more and pray that with good will on both sides a long-lasting solution to the causes of conflict can be agreed.
We remember the plight of so many displaced families and those who flee conflict and become refugees. We pray for all aid agencies and especially the work of the United Nations.
We pray for our armed forces today especially those who may soon be faced with action over Iraq or even Syria and for those remaining in Afghanistan. We pray for their loved ones back home and for all those who support them.
Lord, in your mercy - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for our own country and its peoples, for the Queen and all who hold authority and power that through Christ’s love and mercy all may strive in seeking what is best for all regardless of origins or status.
We pray for the people of Rotherham - battered by the reports of crises in the care of vulnerable children over many years. We pray that the community along with the appropriate authorities finds long-lasting care strategies for the future and support for those who suffered through the wrongdoings of the past.
We pray for the coming Referendum on the future of Scotland and the United Kingdom, that whatever the outcome the result will be accepted with dignity by both sides.
Lord, in your mercy - 'Hear our prayer’
We pray for those in most need in our own families and neighbourhood, thinking of the sick, the lonely, the housebound and those at the margins of society. We pray for the work of Health-care professionals and Social Workers and all who give of their time as volunteers in so many caring and supporting roles. And so we ask that you bestow on them your gifts of patience, compassion and understanding.
We pray for those that we know who are sick, lonely, anxious or in some other special need at this time as we share a brief moment of silence together as we name them in our hearts.
(A short period of silence and reflection)
As we have named them in our hearts so let them feel your presence and friendship in their lives as we commit them to your loving care.
Lord, in your mercy - 'Hear our prayer’
We also remember those who have finished life’s race and we pray for those left behind with just memories. Let them know that nothing is more dependable in times of sorrow than your steadfast and encircling love.
For we can be assured that………..
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.
For you turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.
Lord, in your mercy - 'Hear our prayer’
A final prayer for ourselves: -
Living Lord,
You call us to be partners in your world,
Sharing your sacrifice,
Sharing your love,
Sharing your life,
Sharing your forgiveness,
with those you have placed alongside us
on life’s journey.
Help us all to travel on together,
more sure of your love and life and forgiveness
because of your sacrifice for each one of us.
And so -
Merciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.
(We say together the words that Jesus taught us)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever. AMEN