St Mary's Church, Mudford
Intercessions
Prayers of Intercession written by members of our Ark Group of churches
Sunday 8th March, the Third Sunday of Lent
We bring to you, our loving God and Father, all that we are today. We come with memories of the last week and our hopes and fears for the week to come.
In the stillness, quieten our hearts and minds and set us free from the strain and stress that weigh us down. Give us instead we pray, a sense of your compassionate presence and the beauty of your peace. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord…Amen.
Lord, we thank you for the universe, our great home; for its vastness and beauty beyond our knowledge, and which we can only imagine. Your glory touches us in the light that we see, the fruitfulness of the earth and the joy of its creatures. We thank you for the mystery of music, the singing of birds, and the laughter of children. Help us to truly appreciate and pay due respect to your earth which is so full of your riches.
Lord, in your mercy …… Hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray today for countries where there is war, random violence, or only fragile peace. We think of the many troubled parts of the world, where there is so much suffering, where darkness prevails and where the light of the Lord seems so remote. We pray for people whose humanity is denied by others – for those suffering from malnutrition, illness, and disease – for those living in fear of soldiers, tanks or rockets.
We pray for those working in places of power and influence who make decisions which may affect many people. May hearts which have been darkened by violence discover a different light and better ways of diplomacy and forgiveness. We pray for the peace of the world – for statesmen and rulers that they may have wisdom to know and courage to do what is right.
Lord, in your mercy …… Hear our prayer
We pray for our community and its life, for our homes and schools. We pray for those whom we love, the special people you have given to us wherever they may be. We pray for our friends, the close ones and those we sometimes forget. Those with a special problem and those who need you. We thank you for each of them and what they give to us. Keep us faithful to them as you are faithful to us.
Lord, in your mercy …… Hear our prayer
Lord, we especially hold before you today those who are troubled – those with many doubts or uncertainties. We pray for their freedom from anxiety, rejection, and fear. We pray for all who are in need both within our own families and in the local community. For those for whom this day will seem long and hard, for those in hospital or ill at home, those struggling with despair or depression, those waiting for a job, or important news, or just for a friend to call them.
In a moment of silence, we bring before you those we know who need to feel your comforting presence…
Lord, in your mercy …… Hear our prayer
Lord, we bring before you those who have died. – the close relative who we still miss – the friend whose early death will always sadden us – the people in other countries who have died tragically this week, unknown to us but known and loved by you. All those who have left their mark on our lives by giving us love and laughter but have now gone before us to be with Christ. We hold them forever in our hearts knowing that you Lord are with them in your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy …… Hear our prayer
And finally, we pray for ourselves, that we may walk in the light of the Lord and know his grace and his presence in our daily lives. Christ our Guide – stay with us on our pilgrimage through life – when we falter encourage us – when we stumble, steady us – when we have fallen, pick us up. Bring to us O God, the sense of your living presence as we go into this new week. Renew in us the faith you want us to have, the faith that is not afraid to reach out in your name and to share the living water, that treasure which is greater than all earthly things.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.