Monday, 1 May 2017

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

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