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.

Prayer for a new year (3 Jan 2016)

Almighty God, at this time of new beginnings, we come into your throne room with our prayers, our joys, our sorrows, our hopes and regrets, and place them all before you.

We thank you for the year that is past, and for all that has happened during the year.  As we look back with you, we thank you for the way that you have supported and sustained each of us during the past twelve months.

And now we pray for the coming year.

We start with prayer for the leaders of your world.

We begin by bringing into your throne room the men and women who govern the nations of the world, and whose words and deeds affect each one of us.  So we pray for our queen and her family, calling on you for their health and well-being, for wisdom and grace in their service of the country and the commonwealth.  We pray for the leaders of our government and the leaders of European nations.  We ask for prudence and insight in coping with the floods in our country, with plans to work against climate change, and for compassion in welcoming refugees from the Middle East

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Almighty God, we pray for peace and for peacemakers throughout the world.  Especially we pray for the peace of the Middle East, bringing before you the people of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Palestine.  We long for peace between men and women, and pray for those who work to change attitudes and bring peace.  We ask you to stay the hands of those who use force to advance their opinions.

We commit to your protection those who have left their homes through warfare and the fear of warfare, and pray for those who are caring for the displaced in places of refuge.  In particular, we pray for agencies we support, for Shelterbox, Christian Aid and Tearfund, and ask you to keep their staff safe, and to encourage them as they work for the good of the whole community.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Almighty God, we thank you for the work of the church in our city and county.  We pray for new beginnings in the many facets of Christian work across Devon.  First we pray for the well-being in body, mind and spirit of those who lead the church, naming Bishops Robert, Sarah and Nick before you.  We pray for the ministry of the Cathedral and its staff, as so many people visit it for services and private devotions.  We pray for your grace on the chaplaincies across the county, in hospitals and hospices, in shops and schools, in the police and in prisons.  We pray for the many small communities across the county, where there may only be a handful of worshippers each Sunday, and ask that the Holy Spirit may encourage and renew each follower of Jesus there. 

We bring into your throne room those who speak for the Christian community, on radio, television, in the press and on social media, that in this coming year, their words may be inspired by their living faith, and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Finally, Almighty God, we pray for ourselves and all members of the congregations of St Matthew’s, Matts@5, St Sidwell’s and St Mark’s. We echo Paul’s joy as we say: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ

So we ask you, Lord, for continued blessing as we seek to serve and follow our Lord and Saviour.  We pray for those we know who are unwell, who are sad, and those who are housebound.  We pray for those who have to make difficult decisions.  We pray for those who find the winter a time of financial stress.  We pray for those who will have changes in their lives, whether at work, at school, in their families or relations.  For each of the people we think of, we ask a Father’s blessing and an outpouring of grace and joy in spite of their circumstances.

Merciful Father

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen