Church Prayers and Intercessions for Transfiguration Sunday

Lord Jesus we see you in your glory, and we remember that you gave up all for us, exchanging a crown for a cradle that you might share our humanity. May we never be proud or unwilling to humble ourselves in whatever duty you would have us to do. Forgive us our unwillingness to go to the places where you have gone before us, alongside those who suffer, sharing the path of the displaced and the unwanted.
Help us to care with that divine love which is willing to give up self interest and be used by you in transforming people and places. Help us to always see our pattern of life to be laid out before us in the life and teachings of Jesus. May we seek always to be faithful disciples willing to allow you by your Holy Spirit to make us the people that you would have us to be.

We remember that often your disciples were afraid when confronted by the things which you placed before them. At these times you touched them and encouraged them to trust in you and to know your peace which casts out fear. Hear us as we bring before you the things which trouble us. We pray for those situations where our sinfulness brings about preventable disease, war, hunger and homelessness. Hear our prayers for those for whom we pray and by your great mercy touch them with your love.

We pray for those who have no decent homes, inadequate sanitation, no clean water. For those who sleep rough in the cold. There are so many people with no place to call home. We remember displaced people in refugee camps or those fleeing across hostile lands. We are mindful of the atrocities in Idlib and those who lose their lives daily.

We remember those who are persecuted or imprisoned for their beliefs. God of love and strength, your Son forgave his enemies even while he was suffering shame and death. Strengthen those who suffer for their faith. When they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair.  Spirit of justice, creator Spirit; help us to make and keep this country a home for different people, and grant to our government and all its representatives imagination, skill and energy that there may grow amongst us good neighbourliness and peace.

We pray for those who are ill and those who minister to them.  Jesus our Healer, we place in your gentle hands those who are sick. Ease their pain, and heal the damage done to them in body, mind or spirit. Be present to them through the support of friends, and in the care of doctors and nurses, and fill them with the warmth of your love now and always.

Welcome, Lord, into your calm and peaceful kingdom those who, out of this present life, have departed to be with you. Grant them rest and a place in your eternal safe keeping in that place where life knows not age, the reward that passes not away. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.