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

March 2013

Father God, we thank you for your word, and the way that it speaks to us.  We thank you for the Lent course, and we pray that this week you will continue to feed us from the Bible.  Guide us in our conversations and discussions, and help us to grow as Christians to be more like our Lord and Saviour.  We pray that our friends may see Jesus Christ in our lives..

We pray for your church across the city, and pray that your people may grow in grace and knowledge of you.  In particular we pray that you will build up the ministry of the churches in the East Exeter Mission Community, and pour out blessing on our fellow Christians in the Network Church. 

LORD, IN YOUR MERCY HEAR OUR PRAYER

Father, we thank you for those who lead our community, in the public services, commerce and industry.  We thank you for the government and pray for wisdom in the preparation for the budget.

We pray for the people of Detroit, and its financial and business leaders at this time of difficulty.  Give wisdom to all those with responsibility for providing employment in that city, and throughout the world.

We thank you for the public support of charities through Comic Relief this weekend.  As your people, we pray especially for the ministry of Tearfund and Christian Aid, working to provide practical help together with the message of the gospel.

LORD, IN YOUR MERCY HEAR OUR PRAYER

Father, we thank you for many people who are working for peace.  We thank you the you have called us to be peacemakers – help us to pray for peace whenever we become aware of situations where there is no peace.

We pray for peace in countries where there is conflict.  We pray that peace may come to Afghanistan and Iraq; we pray for progress towards peace in Israel and Palestine after President Obama’s visit, and we ask that the new government in Israel may seek peace with their neighbours.  We ask you to strengthen the Christian Church in Israel and Palestine.  And we cry to you for peace in Syria.

LORD, IN YOUR MERCY HEAR OUR PRAYER

Father, we remember how your son healed the sick, and gave forgiveness and dignity to those whose lives had been spoilt by sin and illness.  We pray now for your healing for those we know who are ill, or who are anxious because of the illness or weakness of a loved one.

We pray for those who minister to the sick; our doctors, nurses and dentists, those who work in our hospitals and old people’s homes, and those who care for people in their homes.  Give them the compassion that is needed in their encounters and help them in their vocation of helping others.

We pray for the children we know who have passed through this church as foster children, that they may grow up in stable and settled families.

LORD, IN YOUR MERCY HEAR OUR PRAYER

Finally, Lord, we ask for your Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance as we prepare for Easter.

Thank you Lord, for the chance to celebrate the greatest day in history, when Jesus rose from the dead.  Help us to know, once again, the joy and excitement of the first disciples as they came to recognise their Lord.

We pray for those who will lead services during Holy Week, and particularly pray for Bishop Nick as he leads our Mission Community celebration on Easter Day, asking that you will give him a clear and challenging message

Merciful Father

Accept these prayers