God Of The Universe...
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 the universe, it's so tempting to invest all my energy in things. I can feel them and enjoy them and use them, and share them with other people from time to time. But deep down, I know they're all dross without you. Deep down, I want to invest my energy in you, and enjoy you. But God of the universe, I find it hard. I'm easily distracted, and usually happy to procrastinate. Help me to get my priorities straight. Make me practise, for I'm as idle as an unwilling child at the piano. Encourage me to to work at experiencing you, and keep me alert so that when my inevitable crises come, I might discover you in unexpected ways and in surprising situations.
God of the universe, may your Church invest wisely. May it invest all its resources in you and thus in people. May it seek only treasure in heaven, and not be beguiled by such treasures as the world has to offer. May your Church be ready for crises, knowing that through those crises, its faith will be strengthened and it will experience resurrection.
Especially today we pray for the Church in Central America and Archbishop Cornelius Wilson, and the Estonian Evangelical-Lutheran Church, and Archbishop Jaan Kiivit.
God of the universe, you have given us a beautiful earth. May we seek only to enhance its beauty. May we resist the temptation to strip it of its treasures, not caring about its future. May we do what we can to ensure its survival and encourage its resources for future generations, and may we be open to your guidance through unexpected people and in unexpected ways.
We pray especially today for ....
God of the universe, how tempting it is to see the future for our children and our families only in terms of education and good jobs and wealth production. Help us to get our priorities right. Remind us that if we want to have the faith to see us through family crises, we need to practise all our lives. Give us sensitivity in introducing our children to spirituality and religion, that the cries of "Boring!" may cease, and our youngsters will learn for themselves the excitement and delight of stepping out in faith to follow you.
In our own community we pray especially today for ...
God of the universe, sickness - especially serious illness - brings its own cruel crisis, plunging us into fear and anguish. Give faith to those families who are struggling with the illness of a deeply loved family member. May they know that you are guiding them, and may they be very aware that they are the apple of your eye, that you hide them under the shadow of your wings. Touch those who are sick, that they may be anointed with your special love and healing power.
We pray especially today for ...
God of the universe, crises come to a head in death, which causes that most agonising loss for those who are left. When those who are bereaved feel themselves tossed about like so much matchwood, unable to cling onto anything dear and familiar, when they feel themselves to be in a strange country in a landscape they've never seen before, give them strength. May they have the faith and the courage to step forward, knowing that you are with them, holding them by the hand and leading them.
We hold in your presence today those who have recently lost someone they love .... and those for whom this time of year still brings painful memories ...
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 the universe, it's so tempting to invest all my energy in things. I can feel them and enjoy them and use them, and share them with other people from time to time. But deep down, I know they're all dross without you. Deep down, I want to invest my energy in you, and enjoy you. But God of the universe, I find it hard. I'm easily distracted, and usually happy to procrastinate. Help me to get my priorities straight. Make me practise, for I'm as idle as an unwilling child at the piano. Encourage me to to work at experiencing you, and keep me alert so that when my inevitable crises come, I might discover you in unexpected ways and in surprising situations.
God of the universe, may your Church invest wisely. May it invest all its resources in you and thus in people. May it seek only treasure in heaven, and not be beguiled by such treasures as the world has to offer. May your Church be ready for crises, knowing that through those crises, its faith will be strengthened and it will experience resurrection.
Especially today we pray for the Church in Central America and Archbishop Cornelius Wilson, and the Estonian Evangelical-Lutheran Church, and Archbishop Jaan Kiivit.
God of the universe, you have given us a beautiful earth. May we seek only to enhance its beauty. May we resist the temptation to strip it of its treasures, not caring about its future. May we do what we can to ensure its survival and encourage its resources for future generations, and may we be open to your guidance through unexpected people and in unexpected ways.
We pray especially today for ....
God of the universe, how tempting it is to see the future for our children and our families only in terms of education and good jobs and wealth production. Help us to get our priorities right. Remind us that if we want to have the faith to see us through family crises, we need to practise all our lives. Give us sensitivity in introducing our children to spirituality and religion, that the cries of "Boring!" may cease, and our youngsters will learn for themselves the excitement and delight of stepping out in faith to follow you.
In our own community we pray especially today for ...
God of the universe, sickness - especially serious illness - brings its own cruel crisis, plunging us into fear and anguish. Give faith to those families who are struggling with the illness of a deeply loved family member. May they know that you are guiding them, and may they be very aware that they are the apple of your eye, that you hide them under the shadow of your wings. Touch those who are sick, that they may be anointed with your special love and healing power.
We pray especially today for ...
God of the universe, crises come to a head in death, which causes that most agonising loss for those who are left. When those who are bereaved feel themselves tossed about like so much matchwood, unable to cling onto anything dear and familiar, when they feel themselves to be in a strange country in a landscape they've never seen before, give them strength. May they have the faith and the courage to step forward, knowing that you are with them, holding them by the hand and leading them.
We hold in your presence today those who have recently lost someone they love .... and those for whom this time of year still brings painful memories ...
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
