Intercessions - Sunday 6th September 2020
The World
Let us pray for the world.
Loving God, we pray for a vaccine for Coronavirus or some other means to prevent the current death toll – particularly in India, Brazil, Mexico and the USA. We ask for your comfort for all those suffering from this virus or who have lost someone to it.
We lift to you the people of Yemen with 13 million people on the brink of starvation. We pray they will receive the aid needed and that a lasting peace will be established in this country.
We pray for healing for the people of Beirut after the trauma of the explosion and ask for help for the 300,000 made homeless.
We ask for a positive way forward for Belarus following the violent clashes between demonstrators and police over the leadership of the country.
We pray that everyone will come to understand that black lives matter and that a breakthrough to genuine equality will come out of the current events.
Loving God, there are many other areas of conflict and suffering in the world and we lift these to you now in a moment of quiet.
Church in the World
Heavenly Father, the world needs you and your wisdom.
Our world’s driven by governments set on economic growth and companies looking for increasing levels of consumption, mostly at the cost of human wellbeing and the viability of the planet.
We pray for the church to have a radically different voice that speaks about looking after people and the earth and all it contains, before considerations of profit. Please help the church have a distinctive and effective voice in the world and demonstrate this through protecting people and natural world.
In an age of individualism, we pray your church will be an example of what a united, mutually supportive community looks like – with a place and dignity for each person. Please teach your church to have real relationships that have a level of tolerance, forgiveness and determination to overcome conflict that are different to the world. We have something bigger to focus on than our differences, teach us Father to overcome our interpersonal difficulties and work for each other’s good. God of peace teach your church how to relate to each other we pray.
In a world with little hope – we pray for your church to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the world.
Persecuted Church
Sustaining Father, we pray for the persecuted church
Open Doors reports over 260 million Christians are persecuted. Many Christians risk harassment, discrimination, imprisonment or even the risk of death simply for trying to live out their faith or worship together.
We pray for all those who suffer in your name all over the world and who face injustice, oppression and even death because of their faith in you. We pray you will grant them strength, courage, and protection from those who seek to harm them because they follow you; guidance and wisdom for when their path seems impossible, and hope for a future where they have the freedom to worship you without fear.
UK and Local Prayers
Father we thank you that the church has endured for 2000 years and is continually renewed in unexpected places and in unexpected ways. We pray for the renewal of Christianity globally but particularly in our own country - help us to contribute to this renewal in whatever ways you lead us.
We pray for our Queen and her Government to be wise and to work to pass laws that look after the most vulnerable, act in the best interests of humanity and protect our countryside and natural resources.
For the children and young people returning to school or university, we ask for them to be protected from the virus and to catch up the teaching they have lost. We pray they will not be anxious or fearful.
We are grateful that our church and churches around the country are able to meet again. It all feels a bit limited but we trust you will help us grow and move forward even so.
Please bless our church.
We ask you to give vision and insight to our leaders and guide the PCC to work with you in what you are doing.
The new home groups start up this week, please come and make these gatherings where our faith grows and deepens.
We pray for unity and for the faith, health and wellbeing of each member of our church whether they can get here or not. Work with us God and move us on.
We pray for those who are unwell in body, mind or spirit – remembering
NAMES OF THOSE UNWELL: Michael Mucklow
We lift to you those who a bereaved
NAMES OF THOSE RECENTLY DIED: Jim Scott leaving wife and son Diana & Paul, Ella aged 18 leaving parents Tommi & Krisi (friends of Howard)
Holy God, give us courage, confidence and assurance to express whatever faith we have and to grow. Lead us on and change us we pray to reflect your goodness and grace.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers. for the sake of your Son. our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen