Prayers on May 3rd 2015

I was short of time for preparing prayers this week, and so chose six pieces  which I found online as the starting point for the intercessions today.  The sources are acknowledged after each one, but (as always) I have added a little bit of my style, rearranged them so that each set of petitions starts with an invocation of the Lord Jesus.   They are topical: praying for the UK general election, for the victims of the Nepalese earthquake, the persecuted in Syria and Iraq ...

Lord Jesus, we come to you in prayer for the people of Nepal and India. We know you feel their pain and cry with them, and we pray that they will know your love and comfort close by.

We pray for those who are mourning loved ones and for those coming to terms with life-changing injuries. May they know your strength.

Lord, protect and encourage the staff of all the relief organizations, especially those in Shelterbox and Tearfund, the charities we support as they work in your name to help those in most need.

We also pray for the mission partners of CMS who are in Nepal at this time, asking for your strength and protection.

Tearfund

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We pray for peace in Iraq and Syria

Lord Jesus, you give sight to the blind, you heal the crippled and you restore the dignity of the disenfranchised.

Give us renewed vision and hope for the future and restore the dignity of our Syrian and Iraqi Christian brothers and sisters.

We beg for mercy for the many children who have lost their fathers; for the many men who have been tortured, beaten and maimed; for the many women who have suffered from abuse; and for the many more who continue to live in fear and shame.

Where there is fighting and fear, please bring peace.

Where there is hatred, please bring love and forgiveness.

Where there is death and hopelessness, please bring the joy of your deliverance.

We pray because you are our only hope,

Tearfund

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we give thanks for the privileges and responsibilities of living in a democratic society.

Give us wisdom to play our part at election time, that, through the exercise of each vote, your Kingdom may come closer.

Protect us from the sins of despair and cynicism, guard us against the idols of false utopias and strengthen us to make politics a noble calling that serves the common good of all.

Church of England

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, we hold up in prayer those for whom we are especially concerned.  We know that your will for them is the best and most loving thing imaginable, and we realize that you know their needs far better than we do.

So we pray for …

We ask you to keep each one free from pain, free from fear, that they may relax in your love, and know your healing hand on them.

(Source: A parishioner of Dundrum Parish, Dublin, Hands Up, Church of Ireland At prayer, P8)

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, Grant us all a clear mind and discernment to make wise decisions this week, in our families and with our friends and colleagues.

Continually help us all to be people of high integrity as we talk with others this week

Help us all to know and speak the truth in love at home and at work.

Supply us all with grace for working with other people

Help us all to consistently make valuable contributions to the neighbourhood where we live.

(http://www.operationintercession.org/Employees.php

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Finally, Lord Jesus, This week

Help us to follow your example,

by looking out for those who feel that they are marginalised,

who cannot find hope,

who believe that they have little to offer,

who are overcome by the challenges of poverty.

Help us to widen our horizons,

to make space for the stranger,

to watch out for those who feel invisible,

to give time to the outsider,

Give us the courage to undertake this, and the determination to join with others in seeing grace in every human face,

and the faith to embrace the opportunity in your name

Church Urban Fund

Merciful Father

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 Second Sunday of Easter, seeing Jesus more clearly

I prepared this prayer for the Second Sunday of Easter (Low Sunday) to tie in with the preacher's mention.  She was taking the story of the disciples in Acts and the story of Christ's appearance to the disciples (without and with Thomas) and drawing the message of needing to see Jesus more clearly.  (Maybe the lectionary editors made the link of locked doors - the disciples being released through them, Jesus entering through them)

Risen Lord Jesus, we thank you that we can bring our prayers and petitions to you, and have confidence that you will hear us.

Risen Lord Jesus, we thank you for the joy of Easter, for our celebration of the resurrection.  We thank you for the way that Christians across the world have been celebrating this wonderful fact together.

Today we pray for the church across the world.  We pray for Jane, and ask that you will refresh her on her holiday.  We pray for the preparation for the Annual Church Meetings later this month, and ask that you will be there to guide and inspire us.  We pray for our diocese, and today we remember the visit of the evangelists from the Melanesian brotherhood as they preach the joy of the resurrection this week.  We continue to pray for our bishops, and our new archbishop, that they may teach people to see Jesus more clearly.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Risen Lord Jesus, we thank you that this world is God’s creation, and that God continues to control and sustain the world He created.  We thank you that the leaders of nations and businesses take their authority from You.

We pray that you will guide the nations of the world to know that real authority and wisdom come from you.  We pray for peace between the nations, and within the nations.  So we ask for peace in Afghanistan, in the far east and in the middle east.  We pray for those parts of the world where men, women and children are suffering because of drought and famine, and ask that you will provide the funds and expertise needed for the relief agencies in their work.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Risen Lord Jesus, we thank you for the work of those who provide our food.  Thank you for the variety of the food that we can buy and grow.

We pray for the farming community in Devon, for those who grow crops and fruit and raise animals for food.  We pray for those who work on the land to prepare it for spring, summer and autumn growing.  We ask that you will give wisdom to those Christians who minister to the agricultural sector of society, that they may be sensitive to the needs of farmers and their families.  And as we pray for the producers, we pray for justice and fairness for the chain of supply of our food, through distributors and retailers. 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Risen Lord Jesus, we thank you that you have promised to be with us in all that we do, day by day, as we follow, serve and trust you.

We pray that each member of our church, and of our Mission Community, may see you more clearly this week, and grow in grace with you as our Lord and Saviour.

We pray for those in our church who have special needs this week.  We remember those who are sick, and those who are anxious because of the sickness of a loved one.  We pray for those whose work brings tensions and ask that you will grant such people special wisdom.

And we remember how Thomas recognised Jesus – help us this week to echo his words and see that you are “Lord and God”

Merciful Father

The Word, the world, and us

Let us pray for the church and for the world and let us thank God for His goodness

Almighty God, our heavenly father, you promised through your Son Jesus Christ to hear us when we pray in faith

We thank you, Lord, for those that You have gifted to be teachers of your Word and ministers in Your church.  Thank you for those who serve in this congregation and parish.  Thank you too, for the work of theological colleges and their staff, and for those who arrange training events and courses in Exeter.

We pray, Lord, for those whose calling is to be servants of Your people as shepherds, pastors and teachers.  We ask, Lord, that they may have the grace and humility which their work requires, and that they may be able to walk closely with you, day by day. We would pray for those who are in training.  As you equip such men and women, Lord, we pray that the Holy Spirit may be channelled through them to equip the whole church in the service of Christ; that those who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love and reveal your glory in the world.

LORD IN YOUR MERCY--HEAR OUR PRAYER

Thank You, Lord, that You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  We rejoice that the affairs of the nations are secure in your keeping;  that the Holy Spirit is directing the ways of leaders of governments, leaders of commerce, the professions, industry and the unions.  Thank you, Lord, that you control the work of public and private industry as it affects us day by day, in our homes, in our neighbourhoods, at work.

We pray for Your world and think of the news items that have been headlines in the last few days.  We pray for the leaders of our nation, that you will give them wisdom in providing for all, particularly those who are homeless or unemployed.  We pray that the economic affairs of our land may be directed towards justice for all.  We pray for the work of the relief agencies and United Nations as they seek to relieve the problems of the world;  and we pray for peace, and especially for the peace of Middle East.  We pray that throughout the world, men may honour one another and seek the common good.

LORD IN YOUR MERCY--HEAR OUR PRAYER

We thank you, Lord, that you are in control of our households; that Jesus knew the joys and sadnesses of living in a family and in a community of people and families in the same street and town.  So we come to you with confidence that You understand the pressures and delights of daily living with people of all ages.

Help us Lord, to live a hundred percent for you;  help us to make Jesus the centre of our life and work every day, wherever You have called us to be.  Help us to draw closer to others, in friendship and fellowship, so that as ambassadors for you we may convey Your message to the world today.  We pray especially for those that You have placed in close proximity to us;  our relatives;  our neighbours;  those we meet day by day.  May they see You in us.  Help us to serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

LORD IN YOUR MERCY--HEAR OUR PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, that You are the great healer of those who suffer in body, mind or spirit.  Than k you that we can bring our concerns for others to you in the confidence that you will hear and act.

So we pray for those we know in the church or parish who mourn the death of a loved one;  for those who are ill, or are convalescing after sickness or an operation;  for those who have to live with constant weakness or pain;  for those who are anxious about the health of a loved one, particularly mothers anxious about children.  We ask for wisdom of action and words for those who care for all who suffer

Let us keep silence for a moment to remember individuals by name;

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