Intercessions for the Sunday next before Lent – 14th February 2021
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby says: “Prayer is at the heart of our Christian life. If we want to see things changed, it starts with prayer. It starts with a new spirit of prayer, using all the traditions, ancient and modern. It comes from Christians seeking Christ.”
Jesus is alive.
Love has won the victory over evil and death.
Let us pray:
Almighty God and Loving Father, on this Sunday before Lent, we are aware of the passage of time and the seasons that remind us of your saving and personal love for each one of us.
We thank you for the gift of our Christian faith, that of knowing you, loving you and following you.
We now bring our prayers to you Heavenly Father in the name of your Son Jesus Christ who has promised us that you answer the prayers made in His holy name.
After a short silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.
All hear our prayer.
Father, our lives have turned upside down by the terrible coronavirus pandemic and its changing variants. We know that the vaccines will help to defeat this virus but please bless us and comfort us during this time of uncertainty and grief.
Father, your Son Jesus Christ travelled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now, at the global spread of the coronavirus,
that we may experience your healing and saving love.
After a short silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.
All hear our prayer.
Loving Father, we do get tired and weary of the lockdown.
We can’t live normal lives, many of us working from home and children are doing home learning.
It is not easy for us; we need your help.
We know that You are always with us.
Where there is weariness, please bring Your rest;
where there is hopelessness your fresh encouragement;
where there is despair, bring us hope.
Merciful God, may open our hearts to your comforting presence
and know that there is hope and joy in your love for us.
After a short silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.
All hear our prayer.
We now pray for those who are sick in our Parish or elsewhere, especially….Audrey, Diana, Mel, Valerie, Paul, Margaret Allen, Roy, Matt, Jennifer, Desirée, Margaret, Christina and others we know of.
Comfort and heal them,
give them courage and hope in their hearts
and bring them the joy of your saving and healing love.
Loving God, we also pray for all those who have died especially the over 115,000 people due to covid-19. … …May all who have died find rest in your peace. May all who mourn their passing find comfort and peace in your love.
After a short silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.
All hear our prayer.
And finally we pray for ourselves … let us tell the Lord what is of deepest concern in our hearts …knowing that he loves, forgives us and hears our prayer …
After a silent, longer pause…
Father,
we feel loved,
we feel forgiven,
we feel saved.
Thank you for Jesus Christ your Son
who died for us on the cross
and rose again from the dead
and who offers us
true peace and true hope.
Help us to hold on to him
and to follow him
the way, the truth and the life
as we entrust you our prayers
in the name of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
[Revd Dr ST Mattapally, Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln]