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

Prayers for 1st February 2015

Almighty God,
we praise you for your creation,
and all you richly provide for us day by day
Enable us to live each day in such a way
that your majesty as creator and mercy as redeemer
are seen by all who meet us this week
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

All governments rule under your authority.
May they work for the good of those they rule,
seeking your justice and peace in every law and action.

So we pray for the leaders of our country that they may devote themselves to the benefit of all people, regardless of background

We pray for wisdom for the leaders of Greece and the leaders of the EU in their efforts to solve economic problems

We pray for wisdom for all world leaders in dealing with terrorists

We pray for countries where there are refugees, and for those organisations who bring relief to them.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Enable those who are engaged in industry and commerce,
the media and education, sport and the arts, to fulfil their responsibilities with integrity and an attitude of service.

So we pray for those employed in shops, offices and factories in the city, that they may work with honesty and fairness

We pray for the schools with which the church is linked, asking for wisdom in educating and patience for the teachers and staff

We pray for those engaged in sport in the city, especially our football and rugby teams, that they may play fairly and set an example of good sportsmanship to their supporters
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Comfort and strengthen those who are gripped by poverty,
weakened by illness, or oppressed by cruelty.
We pray for the work of Christians against Poverty in the city, and for the staff of Exeter’s Food Bank.

We pray for the work of St Petrock’s and for justice for the homeless in our city

We pray for the residents of care homes in this parish, and for those from our church who are sick, face convalescence, or are anxious about a loved one.

May they all know your love and experience your care.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Inspire your church here on earth to proclaim the gospel of your love
in the death and resurrection of your Son.
May all people hear the call to trust you. 

Help us to be disciples and witnesses to the new life that is to be found in Jesus Christ

Guide Bishop Robert and Bishop Nick as they lead the diocese, and guide the staff at the Diocesan Office in their ministry
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Guide us all, this week, as the people who are gathered together here are spread around their homes, workplaces and leisure activities this week.  Help us to remember that we are your people, and to be good stewards of all that you have entrusted to us

Merciful Father

Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour Jesus Christ

Amen

(some of this was based on “Better Gatherings” from the diocese of Sydney, Australia)

Prayer for God's world

Let us pray for the church and for the world.

We pray for those who govern and lead the nation; Lord of Lords, we pray for our Queen and her family and government, that we may be godly and quietly governed.  We pray for those who lead industry and commerce that they may seek justice and righteousness in the way that they manage other people.  We pray for the mass media and all those whose words influence others, that they my prefer truth to half-truth, and friendship rather than aggression.

Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

We are encouraged to pray for prisons and prisoners.

Almighty Father, we pray for those who are in prison, or who await trial.  We pray that justice may prevail for each one, and ask that you will prevent all kinds of persecution and discrimination inside and outside our prisons.  We pray for the Christian witness in prisons, and especially pray for the chaplaincy team at Exeter and Dartmoor prisons, that you will guide in the teaching and sharing of God’s word there.  We pray for those who will come out of prison this week, and ask that you will give them the strength to break with old habits and associations; we pray for the families of those in prison, that you will help them to find community and support; we ask that those who work in prisons may help create communities of hope and purpose.

Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer

We thank you, Lord, that you care so much for our every need.  We pray for those from the church or our families and friends who need your healing touch today.  We pray for you to reach out to those who are in pain; we pray that you will help those who are recovering from surgery; we pray for those who suffer after accidents; we commit to you those who have long-term illnesses; and we ask for your support for those who are carers and must stand by as a loved one is sick.  In our prayers we especially ask that you will encourage and support:

Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer
 Lord of the church, we thank you for those who lead the church across the world; we pray for the Christian witness in Zambia, and commend to you our prayer link **** ****.  We pray that you will help her to train the nursing staff, and build up your church as she witnesses to staff and patients in ******.  We pray for the pastors and teachers of the church there.  We pray for your guiding hand on the work of the church in this city, and ask for your wisdom in the plans for Hope08.  Lord, send your Holy Spirit to renew our lives, and the lives of all Christians in this city, and send your Holy Spirit to inspire the teaching of the church throughout our city and diocese.

Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer
  

Finally, we pray for ourselves.  O Lord, we pray for pure hearts this week, hearts and lives that are filled with righteousness, and a zeal to place you first.  We ask for the strength and wisdom we will need for the tasks ahead, and an eagerness to put you first in all that we say and do.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour Amen