Rescuing God, Your Sense Of Grace Is Outrageous...
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.
Rescuing God, your sense of grace is outrageous. Where are the restricting fences? Where are the boundaries? Where are the penalties for violation of rules? If you just leave me to do whatever I want, then welcome me with open arms and throw a party whenever I'm found, how shall I ever learn to be good? Rescuing God, you make me feel so humble in the face of your childlike trust in me. You give me so much - and total freedom as well! Help me to use your gifts wisely and well. And remind me that any choices I make are my responsibility alone.
Rescuing God, in many centuries your Church has liked to feel that it has control over the people, by punishments for the violation of rules and sometimes by punishment for those who dared to challenge the pronouncements of the Church. But even when your Church has been utterly misguided in viciousness and cruelty, your grace has continued to be outrageous - free and unrestricted and forgiving. Help your Church dare to receive your outrageous grace, and then dare to transmit it to others. Help your Church to welcome all-comers without judgement or condemnation. And help us all so to respond to your outrageous grace that we are all "real" Christians.
Today we pray for Bishop Rowley Jr., president of the Mid-Atlantic Province of the USA, and Bishop Sigurd Osberg of Tunsberg in the Church of Norway.
Rescuing God, on this Battle of Britain Sunday we remember with gratitude those who helped to rescue us during World War II. We pause in silence to remember those who lost their lives or who suffered horrific injuries of body or mind ..... We pray for those countries which are still at war, asking that they too might be rescued and that lasting peace might come to the world. We pray for those who continue to suffer through national violence, and commend to you those brave men and women who strive to bring peace and healing.
We remember before you especially ....
Rescuing God, give us trust. Enable us to trust our children and our neighbours, so that our children may again learn to play in our streets without fear. Help us to keep our daily portion of bad news in perspective, and to seek beneath the lurid headlines to discover the truth. May we never fuel unnecessary anxieties or woes, but consider realistically the state of society today. And we ask you to keep our children safe, knowing that your love for them is overwhelmingly huge.
In our parish we pray especially today for .....
Rescuing God, those who are sick need your healing touch. As we hold our sick friends and relatives within the fountain of your love, may they absorb your grace and your blessings, and return once again to full health and strength.
Today we ask for your touch especially upon ....
Rescuing God, you rescue us even from death. Although our bodies must pass on, the real "us" lives on forever, within your company and in your kingdom. Strengthen those who mourn, give grace to them as they struggle with the turmoil of bereavement, and may they know that their loved ones are now safe with you and free from pain.
Today we hold in your presence ..... and all those for whom this time of year invariably brings sadness of memory.
As you taught us, we ask our prayers through that great advocate of freedom, Jesus Christ our Lord, the centre of being.
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.
Rescuing God, your sense of grace is outrageous. Where are the restricting fences? Where are the boundaries? Where are the penalties for violation of rules? If you just leave me to do whatever I want, then welcome me with open arms and throw a party whenever I'm found, how shall I ever learn to be good? Rescuing God, you make me feel so humble in the face of your childlike trust in me. You give me so much - and total freedom as well! Help me to use your gifts wisely and well. And remind me that any choices I make are my responsibility alone.
Rescuing God, in many centuries your Church has liked to feel that it has control over the people, by punishments for the violation of rules and sometimes by punishment for those who dared to challenge the pronouncements of the Church. But even when your Church has been utterly misguided in viciousness and cruelty, your grace has continued to be outrageous - free and unrestricted and forgiving. Help your Church dare to receive your outrageous grace, and then dare to transmit it to others. Help your Church to welcome all-comers without judgement or condemnation. And help us all so to respond to your outrageous grace that we are all "real" Christians.
Today we pray for Bishop Rowley Jr., president of the Mid-Atlantic Province of the USA, and Bishop Sigurd Osberg of Tunsberg in the Church of Norway.
Rescuing God, on this Battle of Britain Sunday we remember with gratitude those who helped to rescue us during World War II. We pause in silence to remember those who lost their lives or who suffered horrific injuries of body or mind ..... We pray for those countries which are still at war, asking that they too might be rescued and that lasting peace might come to the world. We pray for those who continue to suffer through national violence, and commend to you those brave men and women who strive to bring peace and healing.
We remember before you especially ....
Rescuing God, give us trust. Enable us to trust our children and our neighbours, so that our children may again learn to play in our streets without fear. Help us to keep our daily portion of bad news in perspective, and to seek beneath the lurid headlines to discover the truth. May we never fuel unnecessary anxieties or woes, but consider realistically the state of society today. And we ask you to keep our children safe, knowing that your love for them is overwhelmingly huge.
In our parish we pray especially today for .....
Rescuing God, those who are sick need your healing touch. As we hold our sick friends and relatives within the fountain of your love, may they absorb your grace and your blessings, and return once again to full health and strength.
Today we ask for your touch especially upon ....
Rescuing God, you rescue us even from death. Although our bodies must pass on, the real "us" lives on forever, within your company and in your kingdom. Strengthen those who mourn, give grace to them as they struggle with the turmoil of bereavement, and may they know that their loved ones are now safe with you and free from pain.
Today we hold in your presence ..... and all those for whom this time of year invariably brings sadness of memory.
As you taught us, we ask our prayers through that great advocate of freedom, Jesus Christ our Lord, the centre of being.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
