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