All Saints, Lydiard Millicent
Intercessions 23rd May 2021 (Pentecost)
Lord Jesus Christ, we come before you this morning at the end of another week. Thank you that we have not been alone through this week and that you have been with us in what we have faced. Please use the silence to thank God for something that has happened this week or to hand something to him.
Lord we cannot imagine what it was like on the first Pentecost Sunday but we praise you this morning that you did not abandon your disciples and sent your Holy Spirit just as you promised. Thank you for the gifts you gave them, which enabled them to set up the first churches and spread the word of your life-giving sacrifice throughout the world reaching us here. Without them we may not know you in our lives. Send your Spirit to us here this morning giving the gifts we need to fulfil your promise for our lives.
Lord, over the last 18 months we have been saddened by the Covid 19 pandemic and the effect it has had on our lives and those who we love. We praise and thank you for the technology that has enabled us to stay in contact with each other, for the dedication of the doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers who are looking after the sick, for the scientists who worked tirelessly to find a vaccine and for those who were willing to be the first to test it, for the speed at which we are receiving the vaccine and for those who are administering it. However, we continue to ask for you to bring this pandemic to an end, to comfort the bereaved and the anxious, to help those who have lost jobs find new ones and for those who are worn out to find rest. May all governments find a way to work together to ensure everyone is vaccinated regardless of their circumstances.
Lord we have looked in horror at the scenes from the Middle East that have been broadcast and have been dismayed by the number of deaths on both sides. We remember that both sides are your children and loved by you. We thank you for those who are working to bring peace to this area and praise you for the recent ceasefire. Change the hearts on both sides of those who still wish to cause suffering and please guide those in government to find a solution that will bring this ceasefire to a lasting peace.
Lord this morning as we celebrate the birth of your church we think of your church worldwide and how some of you children have to follow you in secret and live in fear. Please draw close to them and comfort them, may they know you are near and may their example lead their persecutors to you. We particularly thank you for those who work to help them thinking of SAT-7 and Open Doors.
Lord thank you for those who lead us here at All Saints for Tudor and Tricia, our occasional preacher, the PCC, those who lead worship and those who work with our children. Please bless them, keep them safe and guide them as they seek to make you known in this place.
Lord we all know people who are unwell at this time. We thank you for healing many in the past and for those who are dedicated to caring for them. We praise and thank you for those who in our congregation who recently have had operations, we thank you for the skill of the medical professionals which has made this possible. Please bless and them restore them to full health once again. Please continue heal all those who unwell and give comfort to those who worry about and care for them.
we draw our prayers together and look towards the coming week with this prayer from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship
God of power,
may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
may the gifts of your Spirit
be our goal and our strength,
now and always. Amen..