St Mary's Church, Mudford
Intercessions
Prayers of Intercession written by members of our Ark Group of churches
Sunday 18th January, the Second Sunday of Epiphany
Lord of light and love, we pray that as the years change, we may find solace in your stability. May we greet this New Year bravely, sure in the faith that while people come and go, and life changes around us, you are ever the same, guiding us with your wisdom and protecting us with your love.
We ask for your blessing on the year to come. Give us the resilience to bear its disappointments, energy to seize its opportunities, and openness to accept the abundant life which you have promised to us in Christ Jesus our Lord
Amen.
Joseph protected his family from the world’s harm, guide us O God, as we strive to live faithfully in the world you have given us. May we live gently on your earth, aware of our responsibilities as we attend to the needs of the environment.
Give us the courage and means to hold the leaders of nations to account, so that they may display humility not arrogance, timely action not indecision. In the darkness that Jesus came to dispel, may we be brave enough to see the light and be the light, walking together to the hill we have to climb.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We pray to you, Lord, for your Church throughout the world that she may bear faithful witness to your generous love and your saving power. As we offer you our prayers and worship today, we ask that you will bring new richness into our faith.
We pray especially for the healing ministry within your church and for those who exercise that ministry. May your compassionate love surround us and lead us in our journey of faith into wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Grant us, Lord, to look with your eyes of compassion at the long struggle of mankind, the wars, the hungry millions, the countless refugees, the victims of natural disasters, the cruel and needless deaths, the heartbreak and hopelessness of so many lives.
By our prayers and through our lives may we hasten the coming of the age when all nations shall be at peace and all people shall live free from fear and free from want, when there shall be no more pain or tears and when all your children will live in the security of your will and the assurance of your love.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, we pray for our hospitals and nursing homes. For the work and devotion of carers whose skill and compassion bring both material and spiritual comfort at times of need. We ask for your loving compassion on all whose lives have been marred by tragedy of any kind. We pray for all who are downcast or fearful and those who await a doctor’s diagnosis or an operation. We pray for all who seek healing and hope, bringing before you those most in need in our own community, the elderly, the housebound and those in care.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Lord of compassion, we give thanks for all who have passed beyond death and been transformed in your glorious kingdom: for the saints, for loved ones departed; that we, like them may come to the fullness of your presence.
We pray for all whose life is saddened by the death of a loved one,
be with them in their loneliness and let them know that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
We are all called to be disciples of the Lord.
Our walk with God is never a lonely walk,
it is a family occasion if taken in the company of God's children.
If we lag behind, there are those who will turn and offer words of encouragement, hold out a hand and offer assistance over stiles and other obstacles, share refreshment, help us from our knees when we stumble.
Our walk with God is never a lonely walk,
it is a joyful experience as along the path others join us,
attracted by the company of God's children,
singing the same songs of praise that angels sing,
following a path worn down by tears and joy and sacrifice.
Our walk with God is never a lonely walk,
for he walks with us, on a track that leads to a glorious destination.
Merciful Father: Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.