Unexpected God...
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.
Unexpected God, whose Spirit was seen as a flame and was felt as a mighty wind, some parts of your Church are tightly closed to exclude draughts and strongly built to withstand fire. In an age which minimises risks, the power of your Spirit is too exuberant, too uncontrollable for us. Unexpected God, it's easy for your Church to cope with your Spirit in the form of a gentle dove, but cleansing winds and refining fires are frightening. Help us to throw open our locked doors so that your Spirit may fan our reluctant embers into flames.
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.
Vibrant God, the power of your Spirit is so strange. It's a power most strongly realised in vulnerability, weakness and crucifixion, yet your world continues to use the power of force, of maiming, of torture and killing. In those parts of the world where people still aim to make each other suffer, may your Spirit be felt so strongly that people begin to hear each other speak in their own native language, so that enemies begin to become friends.
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 love and friendship, on that first Pentecost your Spirit emabled people to hear each other and hearing, to undrestand. Give us the Spirit of truth and love, that we may face ourselves with honesty, allowing you to blow away our prejudices and misconceptions, so that we too may hear and understand, and understanding, may love.
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 compassion, who sent your Spirit as a comforter and source of strength to those in need, we invoke your Spirit on all those of our friends who are suffering. Some are sick, and like the disciples, some are frightened and anxious, and afraid to venture beyond locked doors. Give them your strength and your comfort, that they may know your peace. We pray especially for...
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 the living, whose Spirit lives within your children, doves and flames and wind are all signs of life, not of death. help us to understand that as the body decays and degenerates, so the spirit is freed to return to you, to live on eternally. We remember in your presence all those who have died, especially....
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.
Unexpected God, whose Spirit was seen as a flame and was felt as a mighty wind, some parts of your Church are tightly closed to exclude draughts and strongly built to withstand fire. In an age which minimises risks, the power of your Spirit is too exuberant, too uncontrollable for us. Unexpected God, it's easy for your Church to cope with your Spirit in the form of a gentle dove, but cleansing winds and refining fires are frightening. Help us to throw open our locked doors so that your Spirit may fan our reluctant embers into flames.
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.
Vibrant God, the power of your Spirit is so strange. It's a power most strongly realised in vulnerability, weakness and crucifixion, yet your world continues to use the power of force, of maiming, of torture and killing. In those parts of the world where people still aim to make each other suffer, may your Spirit be felt so strongly that people begin to hear each other speak in their own native language, so that enemies begin to become friends.
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 love and friendship, on that first Pentecost your Spirit emabled people to hear each other and hearing, to undrestand. Give us the Spirit of truth and love, that we may face ourselves with honesty, allowing you to blow away our prejudices and misconceptions, so that we too may hear and understand, and understanding, may love.
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 compassion, who sent your Spirit as a comforter and source of strength to those in need, we invoke your Spirit on all those of our friends who are suffering. Some are sick, and like the disciples, some are frightened and anxious, and afraid to venture beyond locked doors. Give them your strength and your comfort, that they may know your peace. We pray especially for...
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 the living, whose Spirit lives within your children, doves and flames and wind are all signs of life, not of death. help us to understand that as the body decays and degenerates, so the spirit is freed to return to you, to live on eternally. We remember in your presence all those who have died, especially....
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.
