God Of Creation, You Call Your Church To Take Up Their Cross...
Intercession
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
These responses may be used:
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.
God of Creation, you call your Church to take up their cross and follow you, but often your Church tries so hard to avoid crucifixion. During past centuries your Church has been rich and powerful, not crucified. But with falling numbers, some smaller branches of your Church now begin to experience crucifixion. Help your Church throughout the world not to despair, but to joyfully accept its pain, knowing that for those who keep the faith, after crucifixion comes resurrection.
Today with the world-wide church we continue to pray especially for your Church in Nigeria, and also in Norway. Today we pray for Tunsberg and their bishop, Sigurd Osberg.
Strengthen N our bishop and all your 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.
God of justice, crucifixion is so often unjust. Like Jesus, innocent people suffer deeply at the hands of the more powerful, even though they may not always die. We remember the people of Burma and their imprisoned leader. And on this 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and 56th anniversary of the parachute drop at Arnhem, we remember all those brave men and women who gladly embraced death in order that their descendants would experience resurrection.
Bless and guide Elizabeth our queen; give wisdom to all in authority; and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of compassion, sometimes it's difficult with families or friends to know which is the right way. Enable us to so hear your voice deep within us, that we may instantly recognise your way and follow it, not worrying whether or not that way might lead to crucifixion. And when we pass through valleys of suffering, remind us that resurrection is just around the corner.
Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours; that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of the future, we bring into your presence those of our friends and families who are sick, asking that like Peter, they may know deep within their being that you are the promised Messiah. Lay your healing hands upon them as we name them in our own hearts...
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit...; give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of love, some of our friends feel hurt and bereft because someone they love has died, either recently, or in previous years at this time. May they feel your arms around them, giving them the strength and support and love they need. May they know that a glorious resurrection awaits their loved ones, which will make all the suffering seem as nothing. Especially we remember the family of ...., and those for whom this time of year brings a sad anniversary....
Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ....; according to your promises grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of (N and of) all your saints, we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
These responses may be used:
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.
God of Creation, you call your Church to take up their cross and follow you, but often your Church tries so hard to avoid crucifixion. During past centuries your Church has been rich and powerful, not crucified. But with falling numbers, some smaller branches of your Church now begin to experience crucifixion. Help your Church throughout the world not to despair, but to joyfully accept its pain, knowing that for those who keep the faith, after crucifixion comes resurrection.
Today with the world-wide church we continue to pray especially for your Church in Nigeria, and also in Norway. Today we pray for Tunsberg and their bishop, Sigurd Osberg.
Strengthen N our bishop and all your 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.
God of justice, crucifixion is so often unjust. Like Jesus, innocent people suffer deeply at the hands of the more powerful, even though they may not always die. We remember the people of Burma and their imprisoned leader. And on this 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and 56th anniversary of the parachute drop at Arnhem, we remember all those brave men and women who gladly embraced death in order that their descendants would experience resurrection.
Bless and guide Elizabeth our queen; give wisdom to all in authority; and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of compassion, sometimes it's difficult with families or friends to know which is the right way. Enable us to so hear your voice deep within us, that we may instantly recognise your way and follow it, not worrying whether or not that way might lead to crucifixion. And when we pass through valleys of suffering, remind us that resurrection is just around the corner.
Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours; that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of the future, we bring into your presence those of our friends and families who are sick, asking that like Peter, they may know deep within their being that you are the promised Messiah. Lay your healing hands upon them as we name them in our own hearts...
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit...; give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of love, some of our friends feel hurt and bereft because someone they love has died, either recently, or in previous years at this time. May they feel your arms around them, giving them the strength and support and love they need. May they know that a glorious resurrection awaits their loved ones, which will make all the suffering seem as nothing. Especially we remember the family of ...., and those for whom this time of year brings a sad anniversary....
Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ....; according to your promises grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of (N and of) all your saints, we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
