Intercessions 25th October 2020.
Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, we pray that according to the riches of Your glory, You will fill us with all the fullness of Your Holy Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts, so that we will know, together with all the saints, the breadth and length and height and depth of Your great love for us.
May Your Universal Church demonstrate the unity we have in Christ, so that the world will believe the truth of the gospel, through our love for one another. In obedience, and submission may we…
Be still and know that You are God…
Gracious Father, we pray for our world. We thank You that nothing is impossible for You, and we beseech you for a breakthrough in the research for a vaccine for covid-19, which can be produced cheaply and easily, so that all countries, including those suffering economic poverty, may be helped and healed.
May Your church across the world at this time of intense suffering and anxiety, be a source of light and hope. We ask that many people will access online services and teachings, through Sat-7 in the middle East, and other organisations, and that they will come to know Jesus, as their Lord and Saviour, for Father, You have set eternity in the hearts of men and women, and we find no rest, until we find it in You.
O Lord, our refuge and strength, our very present help in times of trouble, have mercy on our brothers and sisters around the world who live with the reality of anti-Christian violence daily, and for the pastors who sacrificially support them. Comfort the thousands who have been injured or bereaved, or who have had to flee their homes. We ask that the reality of Your presence will protect them like a mighty fortress. Help us to show the world that we are one with them in prayer, and support. May we all….
Be still, and know that You are God…
Merciful Father, we pray for our nation at this troubling time. Like King Jehoshaphat prayed, we also pray, ‘We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.’ We look to You for help.
We pray for our Government, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the health minister Matt Hancock, and the chancellor Rishi Sunak, that You will guide all their decisions to help control the virus, while protecting the economy, and for an efficient test and trace
system.
Father of compassion and comfort, will You help our Social Services minister Helen Whately, to provide a safe way for residents in care homes to receive visitors, so that they will not feel abandoned, or their relatives so desperately distressed.
We pray for all our health and care workers on the front-line once again, especially in the North of the country, that You will sustain and strengthen them physically and emotionally.
Dear Lord, be a light in the darkness for the many in prison, who are spending 23 hours a day in their cells at this time, and enable chaplains to show them the hope of Jesus.
We ask that You will encourage all who are in the highest tier of lockdown, and that You will heal, and support those who are suffering anxiety and mental health problems, in our universities, and wider community.
Father, we often live with the misconception that we are in control, but this pandemic shows us anew that we need to….
Be still, and know that You are God….
Righteous Father, may the unity of Your Holy Spirit be seen in our own church, as we work together to grow Your kingdom here in this place. Pour out Your Spirit afresh into our lives and hearts, renew and revive our relationship with You, and with one another. Forgive us when we have not loved as You command us to, when we have held grudges, rather than build bridges. Teach us how to be a symphony, rather than a series of solo recitals.
May Your anointing and blessing rest upon Tudor and Tricia, as they lead us. As the writer to Hebrews says, may we help to make their ministry a task of joy.
We bring to You dear Lord, those who are suffering and sick, in our fellowship, and their carers, and ask that they will always have the assurance of our faithful prayers, and love, for them. May Your presence be a constant source of comfort and strength, and bring healing to them in body, mind and spirit.
As we abide in You Jesus, as we make ourselves at home in You, together as one, may we rest in the knowledge that we can…
Be still, and know that You are God.
Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Amen
KLR