Prayer for families (May 2015)

We heard three sets of banns being read, and all three couples were in church to hear them.  None of my prepared prayers applied, so I scribbled this down during a hymn(!)

Loving Lord Jesus,
As the banns were read, we were reminded of Your care for families.  So we pray for each family here, and for the couples to be married soon, that all the homes we represent may be places where the love, peace and joy of God comes close; that we may know the grace of God and the presence of the Son of God daily.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer

Prayers on May 3rd 2015

I was short of time for preparing prayers this week, and so chose six pieces  which I found online as the starting point for the intercessions today.  The sources are acknowledged after each one, but (as always) I have added a little bit of my style, rearranged them so that each set of petitions starts with an invocation of the Lord Jesus.   They are topical: praying for the UK general election, for the victims of the Nepalese earthquake, the persecuted in Syria and Iraq ...

Lord Jesus, we come to you in prayer for the people of Nepal and India. We know you feel their pain and cry with them, and we pray that they will know your love and comfort close by.

We pray for those who are mourning loved ones and for those coming to terms with life-changing injuries. May they know your strength.

Lord, protect and encourage the staff of all the relief organizations, especially those in Shelterbox and Tearfund, the charities we support as they work in your name to help those in most need.

We also pray for the mission partners of CMS who are in Nepal at this time, asking for your strength and protection.

Tearfund

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We pray for peace in Iraq and Syria

Lord Jesus, you give sight to the blind, you heal the crippled and you restore the dignity of the disenfranchised.

Give us renewed vision and hope for the future and restore the dignity of our Syrian and Iraqi Christian brothers and sisters.

We beg for mercy for the many children who have lost their fathers; for the many men who have been tortured, beaten and maimed; for the many women who have suffered from abuse; and for the many more who continue to live in fear and shame.

Where there is fighting and fear, please bring peace.

Where there is hatred, please bring love and forgiveness.

Where there is death and hopelessness, please bring the joy of your deliverance.

We pray because you are our only hope,

Tearfund

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we give thanks for the privileges and responsibilities of living in a democratic society.

Give us wisdom to play our part at election time, that, through the exercise of each vote, your Kingdom may come closer.

Protect us from the sins of despair and cynicism, guard us against the idols of false utopias and strengthen us to make politics a noble calling that serves the common good of all.

Church of England

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we hold up in prayer those for whom we are especially concerned.  We know that your will for them is the best and most loving thing imaginable, and we realize that you know their needs far better than we do.

So we pray for …

We ask you to keep each one free from pain, free from fear, that they may relax in your love, and know your healing hand on them.

(Source: A parishioner of Dundrum Parish, Dublin, Hands Up, Church of Ireland At prayer, P8)

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, Grant us all a clear mind and discernment to make wise decisions this week, in our families and with our friends and colleagues.

Continually help us all to be people of high integrity as we talk with others this week

Help us all to know and speak the truth in love at home and at work.

Supply us all with grace for working with other people

Help us all to consistently make valuable contributions to the neighbourhood where we live.

(http://www.operationintercession.org/Employees.php

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Finally, Lord Jesus, This week

Help us to follow your example,

by looking out for those who feel that they are marginalised,

who cannot find hope,

who believe that they have little to offer,

who are overcome by the challenges of poverty.

Help us to widen our horizons,

to make space for the stranger,

to watch out for those who feel invisible,

to give time to the outsider,

Give us the courage to undertake this, and the determination to join with others in seeing grace in every human face,

and the faith to embrace the opportunity in your name

Church Urban Fund

Merciful Father

Prayer for Exeter's retail sector

I was asked to lead an intercession for the retail/commercial sector of the city of Exeter at Exeter Cathedral during the annual Pray4Exeter service.  This is what I wrote, basing parts of it on the London City Mission's "Prayers for a City". 

Let us talk to God about the retail and commercial businesses in Exeter:

Gracious Father,

We pray that you will keep the commercial life pure in this city of Exeter.

Give the staff of all the shops a zeal for honesty, high standards, and straight dealings.

We pray that all shops should have honest weights, and pride in value and service;

We pray that all goods might have quality, craftsmanship, and taste;

We pray for the staff of the shops and ask that they may be attentive, and courteous;

We pray that shopping may be free from suspicion, and anxiety;

We pray that shopping and service may be marked by an atmosphere of pleasure, openness, and decency to all in every type of store.

We pray for the owners, proprietors and managers of all the shops may conduct their affairs according to Your commands;

free them from craving for power, and excessive profit;

may transactions be completed without manipulation and deceit;

guide them so that they deal justly with rival firms, not seeking to destroy or discredit;

We pray that senior staff may encourage staff to be loyal and capable, prepared to give their best each day;

We pray that you will give a congenial atmosphere to offices, banks, service industries, and every place of commerce.

May Christians in the commercial sector in the city centre, both retail and services, be known for candour, honour and justice;

let their devotion to Your precepts be an example, and a testimony;

In this time of economic pressures, we pray that you will bring all the business concerns of the City under Your governing hand, and prosper it, according to Your Way,

Your Way of rightness, and truth.

Amen

Prayers for 1st February 2015

Almighty God,
we praise you for your creation,
and all you richly provide for us day by day
Enable us to live each day in such a way
that your majesty as creator and mercy as redeemer
are seen by all who meet us this week
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

All governments rule under your authority.
May they work for the good of those they rule,
seeking your justice and peace in every law and action.

So we pray for the leaders of our country that they may devote themselves to the benefit of all people, regardless of background

We pray for wisdom for the leaders of Greece and the leaders of the EU in their efforts to solve economic problems

We pray for wisdom for all world leaders in dealing with terrorists

We pray for countries where there are refugees, and for those organisations who bring relief to them.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Enable those who are engaged in industry and commerce,
the media and education, sport and the arts, to fulfil their responsibilities with integrity and an attitude of service.

So we pray for those employed in shops, offices and factories in the city, that they may work with honesty and fairness

We pray for the schools with which the church is linked, asking for wisdom in educating and patience for the teachers and staff

We pray for those engaged in sport in the city, especially our football and rugby teams, that they may play fairly and set an example of good sportsmanship to their supporters
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Comfort and strengthen those who are gripped by poverty,
weakened by illness, or oppressed by cruelty.
We pray for the work of Christians against Poverty in the city, and for the staff of Exeter’s Food Bank.

We pray for the work of St Petrock’s and for justice for the homeless in our city

We pray for the residents of care homes in this parish, and for those from our church who are sick, face convalescence, or are anxious about a loved one.

May they all know your love and experience your care.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Inspire your church here on earth to proclaim the gospel of your love
in the death and resurrection of your Son.
May all people hear the call to trust you. 

Help us to be disciples and witnesses to the new life that is to be found in Jesus Christ

Guide Bishop Robert and Bishop Nick as they lead the diocese, and guide the staff at the Diocesan Office in their ministry
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Guide us all, this week, as the people who are gathered together here are spread around their homes, workplaces and leisure activities this week.  Help us to remember that we are your people, and to be good stewards of all that you have entrusted to us

Merciful Father

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

Amen

(some of this was based on “Better Gatherings” from the diocese of Sydney, Australia)