St Mary's Church, Mudford
Intercessions
Intercessions written by a member of our Benefice
Fourth Sunday of Easter, 21st April 2024
Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord: Give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life,
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, our great Good Shepherd, the one who stands at the gate of all life's challenges and joys, calling out to us in love, Amen.
Lord, open the minds and hearts of your people to the living reality of your presence amongst us, and help us to live our lives reflecting that reality in ourselves and to others. We thank you that by sharing in your communion, the beating heart of Christian worship, we your people have taken, eaten, and remembered for two thousand years, opening ourselves to transformation in mind, body and spirit.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Lord, look with tenderness on this fragile earth, our island home. Help, we pray, all our human efforts to nurture nature, the flora and fauna you have entrusted to our care, the air that we breathe and the water that we drink. Help us as we work towards a fairer distribution of the world’s resources, so that none shall die for lack of food or clean water. Look with compassion on a world where the innocent still suffer and authority is often unjust. Give wisdom to those who rule over others and teach them to use their power in a just manner.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Lord of gentle strength and steadfast courage, be present to those who live in fear so that they too may find courage. When others whisper that you have faded from human sight and are lost in silence for ever, hear their cries and melt the ice of their fears. Make those who suffer know the reality that your steadfast love will never fail but endure for ever and ever.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Dear Lord.
Like a shepherd tending the flock you tend to our needs.
Be present with those who struggle, suffer, or are in pain or sorrow.
Guide those who are lost, or filled with worry and fear.
Protect those who are in harm’s way, heal those who are ill,
mend those who are broken, as only your love can.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniversary we recall. Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Faithful God in the week that lies before us may we reflect Your love in our families, our church and our community; so that the world can see we are followers of Christ and children of God, and draw others into his loving care. Give us today a glad heart and a clear conscience,
that when we come to this day’s end we may rest in peace with Christ our Lord.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
And we finish with a poem…
God, give us eyes to see the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty in every living thing –
And may we see in lacy leaves and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe with gentleness and power –
And may this Easter grandeur that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God, the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful than man's oft’ empty words
Telling harried human beings who are lost in dark despair -
'Be like us and do not worry for God has you in His care.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen