Prayers for 30th April 2017

Let us pray for the church and for the world:

Lord God, we thank you for your church, and for our brothers and sisters who make up the church family.

We pray for the appointment of our next priest for this church and benefice.  We ask that you will prepare the person of your choice to be our pastor, teacher and encourager.  We pray for wisdom in publicising the position, and for you to guide this church, St Matthew’s, and the bishop’s staff as they seek the best appointment. 

Thank you, Lord, for the way you continue to support the staff during the vacancy, and we ask that You will prepare each of us for the change that a new priest will bring.  Send your holy spirit to help us to grow as individual Christians and as a Christian family over the coming weeks.

And as we pray for ourselves, we pray for other church families in the city, and remember those whose leadership is changing.  So we pray for the right people to fill the vacancies at Alphington and St David’s, for a new team at the cathedral and for a new lead elder at Belmont Chapel.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord God, we thank you for the work that members of churches do to care for those in need. 

In our city we pray for the work of Street Pastors, for St Petrock’s and other groups working for the homeless, for the Food Bank and for the work of Christians against Poverty.  We pray for those who lead these groups, for the volunteers and staff, that they may do their work with compassion and kindness.  We pray for the ministry of chaplains, in hospitals, shops, schools, and university.

In the world we pray for charities with which we have links – for CMS , for YWAM, for workers with Christian Aid and Tearfund.  We ask, you, Lord to guide and bless these organisations as they serve you.  We pray for the churches in Jordan and Lebanon which are providing help for refugees from the conflict in Syria and Iraq.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We thank you lord, for those who govern and serve the community of our city and county.

We pray for wisdom in the coming elections, locally and nationally.  We ask that men and women of honesty and integrity may be appointed.  We pray that all Christian candidates would continue to trust the Lord during this hectic period and would find their identity in him rather than in their political position.  And we pray that Christians would be elected who will seek to serve God and all people.

We pray for the leaders of the world, and cry to you for a reduction in the tensions between the nations.  We ask that in politics, in trade and in commerce, throughout Your world, men and women may honour one another and seek the common good.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we thank you for the blessings that we enjoy as a family here. 

We pray for the new PCC and ask that its members may act wisely and responsibly in the coming year.

We pray for A and B as they study for ordination, that they may have time for their work and family.  Help them to learn in their lectures, their reading and their writing.  And we pray for their families,  C,D and E,that they and we may give support and encouragement.

We pray for those we know with special needs – those who are ill, those who are sad, those facing changes and decisions.  We pray for the continued witness of Wednesday coffee mornings and for those who come then but not to the services on Sunday.

Merciful Father

Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ

Amen

Prayer

Prayers for 14th August 2016

Almighty God, we pray for the world that You made and which You love.

We pray that the world may be filled with justice and righteousness throughout the human race.

So we pray for society around us, in the city, in our nation and in the world.

We pray for those whose work and lives affect others, in local and national government, in commerce and industry, in education and the media.

Lord God, bring righteousness to fill the corridors of power, the offices of business and the workplaces of all.  Guide those with responsibility to promote the common good, and not their personal ambitions.  Guide those who work in television, radio and the press to favour truth over propaganda.

Bring justice to those in society who face discrimination.

We pray for those who cannot afford their own home in our neighbourhood, for justice in the housing market.

We pray for those who are unable to find work, that they may find righteous employment.

We pray for those who are marginalised by age or background, that You will transform this society.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the church in our city and nation.

Today we remember the Salvation Army movement in our city and pray for its officers and people that they may be blessed in their work and witness.

We pray that you will give wisdom to the leaders of the church in this city that they may defend justice and promote righteousness, and we pray especially for our bishops, Robert, Sarah and Nick.

We pray for the role of the cathedral in promoting Christian standards in the city and pray for the clergy and volunteers who work for God in that place.

We pray for our missionary links, Susanna, Sharon and Miriam.

We pray for Jane and Mark as they prepare to move home and start a new chapter in their lives, that they may move on with your blessing

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We thank you Lord, for the joy that sport brings to us.  Thank you that it is a reminder of your goodness.  Thank you for the sportsmen and women competing at the Olympics in Rio.  We pray that each one may compete fairly and honestly, and behave with integrity and righteousness towards their fellow athletes. 

We pray for Christians among the competitors, that they may witness for You.

In our country, we pray for those who are chaplains to the professional teams of cricket, rugby and football; give them the words that promote honest play, justice and righteousness on and off the pitch.

We pray for those who train and teach sports at school and university, and ask that they may work to bring fair play and justice to their teams and individuals.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray, Lord God of constant mercy, for ourselves.

Teach us, day by day, this week, how to live rightly and righteously in our homes, in our families, where we work and shop, where we meet people.  Help us to proclaim that we are your people, by the way that we follow your standards of justice, truth and righteousness.  Increase your grace within us day by day this week. 

We pray for those away on holiday, that you will refresh them in body, mind and spirit.

We pray for those facing new stages in their lives; those who will be married next weekend, those changing schools or jobs this summer, that they may trust you for peace, guidance and wisdom

We pray for those we know who are sick or sad, and ask that you will bring peace and comfort to each one, and in time, your healing.

Help us to remember that we are Christ’s people and we are not a kind of light, not one brand of salt –we are the only salt, we are the only light of the world

In silence we commit ourselves, or joys and anxieties for the coming days to God

Merciful Father

Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ

Amen

Items in italics taken from the collect for the 12^th Sunday of Trinity.

Item underlined from a speech by Archbishop Justin Welby

Prayers for 10th April 2016

Let us pray for the church and the world, and thank God for His goodness

Thank you, Lord for those who lead the church in our country and county.  Thank you for the wisdom that you have given them and the ability to teach and to encourage.

Today we pray especially for Archbishop Justin, as the media spend time and energy picking over aspects of his family life.  Give him the ability to speak graciously and honestly about his past, what that past means to his faith and family, and then help him to use his experiences as examples of the good news of Jesus.

We pray for our bishops, Robert, Sarah and Nick, and our archdeacon Christopher.  Give them wisdom in their day-to-day meetings and paperwork.  We pray especially for bishop Sarah, charged with implementing new safeguarding standards throughout the Anglican church.

We pray for the work of the Mother’s Union in the city and diocese, and ask that you will guide its members as they work to promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children and as a charity that helps those whose family life has met with adversity.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Thank you Lord, for our queen, her family and our national and local government.

First of all, we pray for wisdom for the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.  We pray for integrity, truth and compassion throughout Government and for the positive influence of God’s people for the good of all throughout all Government departments.

In the world, we pray that the British Government would be a strong force for good in foreign policy and for bringing relief to those suffering throughout the world.

And we pray that the wisdom of the Bible would be listened to in what it says about human flourishing across all policy areas locally, nationally and internationally.

And above all, we pray for peace in your world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

As we look ahead to the coming week, we pray to you, Lord, for those who are returning to work and to school after the Easter break.  We ask that each one may be refreshed and strengthened by a time of recreation and rest.  

We pray for those who are anxious or concerned about health – those who are sick, and we remember especially those in our prayer bulletin.  Give strength to those who are sick, Lord, and give encouragement and compassion to those who are anxious.  We commend to you, all who work in the caring professions.

We pray for those who work in shops and other businesses in the city, and ask that honesty and integrity may be the standards set in all business transactions this week.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the example of your disciples.  Thank you that we are free to read and learn from the Bible, Your Word. 

This week, we pray that we may learn from Peter, Paul and Ananias.  Help us to be like Peter, and accept your forgiveness for our past failures to stand up for you.  Help us to follow Peter’s example and to say yes to helping other Christians to grow in their faith.

Help us to be like Paul, who spent so much time in prayer.  Help us to be like him in sharing the good news of Jesus with other people.

Help us to be like Ananias, who obeyed your word for him.  Help us to be like him and trusting you wherever you send us.

So we pray for ourselves, that we may be faithful disciples in our day, helping, teaching and encouraging others to follow Jesus more and more closely.  Help us in each encounter with other people this week, at home, at work, in our leisure, in our phone calls and emails, to spread the beauty of Jesus in today’s world.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,

Our Saviour Jesus Christ

Amen

Some phrases taken from Christians in Parliament website and Mothers Union website.  The sermon was based on Acts 9 and John 21