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

Prayer for the world

I came across this prayer of Elaine Storkey's in Tearfund's Prayer Diary for 2016:
Thank you Lord, that you made men and women in your image and that in the church we are joint heirs of life in Christ.  Help us to build a fairer, peaceful world, where women are not violated nor the vulnerable abused.  Help us search out our own attitudes, and challenge our complacency, as we work together for your kingdom.
Amen

Prayer at the end of a year (27 Dec 2015)

At the end of this year, let us pray for people everywhere and in every kind of need.  We look back on a year when all of us have had many mixed emotions.
O Lord, we pray for the leaders of the world and of our country.  We thank you for the positive message that our Queen has shared with the Commonwealth in her annual message, and pray for her health, strength and wisdom, and ask your blessing on her family.  We pray for members of the Government and the parties of opposition, that they may have your guidance over issues of economics, taxation and defence in the coming year.  We pray for the leaders of Europe as they seek ways to show compassion for the refugees fleeing the Middle East and North Africa.  We pray for especial wisdom as many countries work against terrorism and barbarism.  And we ask that you will stay the hands of those who use warfare to promote a corrupt view of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O Lord, we thank you for our city, and all that makes it such a great place to live in.  We thank you for the shops, the places of entertainment and education, the sports clubs, the public services and the places of worship, and all who work in them.  Thank you for the joyful celebrations this year for the Rugby World Cup.  In the coming year we pray for wise decisions about the future growth of Exeter and its region.  We pray for those whose work affects our quality of life, and especially the councillors and officers of the city and county councils. 
We pray for the well-being in body mind and spirit of the leaders of the churches in the city, remembering our bishops, Robert, Sarah and Nick, Christopher the archdeacon, Robin our area dean, and all the clergy, readers and retired clergy in the city. 
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O Lord, we acknowledge that life is not always easy.  Some of us have sad memories of this past year.  We pray that you will heal the memories which need to be healed.  Some of us have been anxious about loved ones around us.  We pray that you will continue to share that anxiety, and reassure us with your gentle loving touch.  Please remind us again, day by day, that you have come alongside us in our joys and sorrows, and that you will walk into 2016 with us, to encourage, care and strengthen us.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Around us we see those in need, the homeless, the poor, those who are sick.  We pray for those whose Christian calling is to help them.  So we pray for chaplains and counsellors, those who work in the caring agencies at home and abroad.  At this time of year, we have been sending gifts to several charities in the city and overseas.  We pray for all who work in those charities, and especially Miriam our CMS link, those who work for Street Pastors, the Food Bank, Christians Against Poverty and the hospital and shop chaplaincies.  Give each one the strength and wisdom that they need for their ministry in the coming year.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.