Courageous God...
Intercession
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Courageous God, life can be so scary at times. I find it easy to close my eyes and not notice the injustices in the world, or to pretend that they're not my problem. For once I begin to be aware, I may find I have to stand alone.
Courageous God, give me the guts to follow you, even when that means I find I'm heading towards Golgotha. Remind me that rules are made for human beings, and not the other way round. Give me the strength to break the rules if I must, and give me the wisdom to know when that's necessary.
Courageous God, your Church is usually on the side of the law, and that must be right and proper. But if your Church is too closely tied to the State or to a particular political party, how can it identify those laws which oppress or which are contrary to your law? Give your Church correct judgment in all things, so that it might stand up for those who need support and cannot speak for themselves, and might question those attitudes of society which are contrary to your divine guidance.
Today we pray especially for the Church of the Sothern Cone of South America and Archbishop Maurice Sinclair, and Oslo in the Church of Norway, with Bishop Gunnar Stalsett.
Courageous God, it must be difficult for governments to see the big picture and to look into the future. Those who rule are sometimes swamped and side-tracked by minutiae, so that important matters of human rights are overlooked or ignored. Help those who rule over us to realise the value of human resources, and to make determined efforts to alleviate distress and poverty in your world.
Today we pray especially for countries engaged in any form of violence, asking that those who call the shots might see the big picture and work towards a peaceful future with fair deals for all human beings.
Courageous God, our communities are sometimes like miniature worlds, where corruption and evil are present amongst ordinary, everyday occurrences. Enable our community to identify evil and the potential for evil before it gets out of hand. May we have the courage to stand against all forms of oppression, and to stand up for the right and the good, even if that means we become unpopular locally.
In our own community, today we pray especially for ...
Courageous God, many people in our community are suffering in some way. Some have damaged relationships, some are sad, and some are sick. We pray for all these people, asking you to touch them where they are hurting, so that they may be healed. Today we pray especially for ...
Courageous God, some of our friends need immense courage at the moment because someone they love has died recently. May they receive something of your courage and strength as they battle through the anguish of bereavement, and may they know that you are on their side. Today we pray especially for .... and for all those for whom this time of year marks an anniversary of sadness.
We ask all this through the courageous one we try to follow, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Courageous God, life can be so scary at times. I find it easy to close my eyes and not notice the injustices in the world, or to pretend that they're not my problem. For once I begin to be aware, I may find I have to stand alone.
Courageous God, give me the guts to follow you, even when that means I find I'm heading towards Golgotha. Remind me that rules are made for human beings, and not the other way round. Give me the strength to break the rules if I must, and give me the wisdom to know when that's necessary.
Courageous God, your Church is usually on the side of the law, and that must be right and proper. But if your Church is too closely tied to the State or to a particular political party, how can it identify those laws which oppress or which are contrary to your law? Give your Church correct judgment in all things, so that it might stand up for those who need support and cannot speak for themselves, and might question those attitudes of society which are contrary to your divine guidance.
Today we pray especially for the Church of the Sothern Cone of South America and Archbishop Maurice Sinclair, and Oslo in the Church of Norway, with Bishop Gunnar Stalsett.
Courageous God, it must be difficult for governments to see the big picture and to look into the future. Those who rule are sometimes swamped and side-tracked by minutiae, so that important matters of human rights are overlooked or ignored. Help those who rule over us to realise the value of human resources, and to make determined efforts to alleviate distress and poverty in your world.
Today we pray especially for countries engaged in any form of violence, asking that those who call the shots might see the big picture and work towards a peaceful future with fair deals for all human beings.
Courageous God, our communities are sometimes like miniature worlds, where corruption and evil are present amongst ordinary, everyday occurrences. Enable our community to identify evil and the potential for evil before it gets out of hand. May we have the courage to stand against all forms of oppression, and to stand up for the right and the good, even if that means we become unpopular locally.
In our own community, today we pray especially for ...
Courageous God, many people in our community are suffering in some way. Some have damaged relationships, some are sad, and some are sick. We pray for all these people, asking you to touch them where they are hurting, so that they may be healed. Today we pray especially for ...
Courageous God, some of our friends need immense courage at the moment because someone they love has died recently. May they receive something of your courage and strength as they battle through the anguish of bereavement, and may they know that you are on their side. Today we pray especially for .... and for all those for whom this time of year marks an anniversary of sadness.
We ask all this through the courageous one we try to follow, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
