God Of Forgiveness...
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.
God of forgiveness, your forgiveness is always present, but it isn't always easy for us either to take hold of that forgiveness for ourselves, or to transmit it to other people. Should we really forgive child molesters and murderers, rapists and robbers, cheats and swindlers? If they're just to be forgiven, again and again and again, why should any of us live moral lives or try to uphold the law?
God of forgiveness, help us to be so submerged in Christ that we're able to feel compassion for those who know so little of you that they hurt and damage others. Remind us that lack of forgiveness creates a barrier within our own inner being which effectively keeps you out. And help us so to be in touch with our own sin that we crave your forgiveness and are able to receive it, feeling your love flood our inner being.
God of forgiveness, for many people life in our country is difficult at the moment. We hand to you their problems and the causes of their problems, asking that you will hold them until they are strong enough to cope with them. At this time we remember especially....
God of forgiveness, it's difficult to recognise the corporate sin of our own time. We can look back to past ages and clearly see that slavery or bear-baiting or throwing people to the lions was corporate sin. But it's not so easy when we ourselves are steeped in our own culture, to identify areas of sin within that culture. Help us to live with integrity and courage, so that when necessary, we dare to stand against the culturally accepted practices of our own age. Help your Church so to hear your voice that it always follows where you lead, and constantly stands up for the rejected and marginalised. Today we join with Christians world-wide to pray for the church in South East Asia, praying that it may hold always to your principles of love and forgiveness.
God of forgiveness, when people are sick or suffering in any way they are often tested to their limits. As we pray for our friends who are sick or suffering, we pray that they will discover in you the strength to endure and rise above their troubles. And we ask that you will take those troubles and turn them to the benefit of those who suffer, just as you drew resurrection out of Jesus' crucifixion.
God of forgiveness, we commend to your safe keeping all those who are dying or who have recently died. May they accept your forgiveness for all their sins. And may those who mourn their passing cling onto you, their rock, and know that you will refresh them with living water and will carry them through their time of trial. We hold before you those who have recently been bereaved, and those for whom this time of year brings sadness....
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.
God of forgiveness, your forgiveness is always present, but it isn't always easy for us either to take hold of that forgiveness for ourselves, or to transmit it to other people. Should we really forgive child molesters and murderers, rapists and robbers, cheats and swindlers? If they're just to be forgiven, again and again and again, why should any of us live moral lives or try to uphold the law?
God of forgiveness, help us to be so submerged in Christ that we're able to feel compassion for those who know so little of you that they hurt and damage others. Remind us that lack of forgiveness creates a barrier within our own inner being which effectively keeps you out. And help us so to be in touch with our own sin that we crave your forgiveness and are able to receive it, feeling your love flood our inner being.
God of forgiveness, for many people life in our country is difficult at the moment. We hand to you their problems and the causes of their problems, asking that you will hold them until they are strong enough to cope with them. At this time we remember especially....
God of forgiveness, it's difficult to recognise the corporate sin of our own time. We can look back to past ages and clearly see that slavery or bear-baiting or throwing people to the lions was corporate sin. But it's not so easy when we ourselves are steeped in our own culture, to identify areas of sin within that culture. Help us to live with integrity and courage, so that when necessary, we dare to stand against the culturally accepted practices of our own age. Help your Church so to hear your voice that it always follows where you lead, and constantly stands up for the rejected and marginalised. Today we join with Christians world-wide to pray for the church in South East Asia, praying that it may hold always to your principles of love and forgiveness.
God of forgiveness, when people are sick or suffering in any way they are often tested to their limits. As we pray for our friends who are sick or suffering, we pray that they will discover in you the strength to endure and rise above their troubles. And we ask that you will take those troubles and turn them to the benefit of those who suffer, just as you drew resurrection out of Jesus' crucifixion.
God of forgiveness, we commend to your safe keeping all those who are dying or who have recently died. May they accept your forgiveness for all their sins. And may those who mourn their passing cling onto you, their rock, and know that you will refresh them with living water and will carry them through their time of trial. We hold before you those who have recently been bereaved, and those for whom this time of year brings sadness....
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
