Let us pray:

Almighty God and Loving Father, on this Palm Sunday as we recall the entrance of your son Jesus in Jerusalem we recognise him as the Servant King who rides on a humble donkey and who loves us to the extent of dying for us on the cross.

As we have reflected on your story in our story through our Lent booklets, help us to see the example of your love for us and to grow in our Christian call as followers of  your son Jesus.

We now humbly bring our prayers to you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ who has promised us that you would 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.

After a short silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer. 

God, hear our prayer
from the lonesome valleys
of this world wide pandemic.
Open our hearts to the possibility
that today is the day of our visitation;
you walk triumphantly through closed doors,
meeting us when others cannot come.
Accept our solitary hosannas,
and gather us together in prayer:
“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

After a short silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer

We pray for key workers:

for all medical staff and hospital workers, who go to work knowing the risks they face; for medical researchers, seeking ways to prevent and to cure; for social workers, protecting the vulnerable; for care workers, providing contact and support to those who have no other help; for teachers, worrying about their charges; for farmers, delivery and shop workers, keeping the nation provisioned; for cleaners, fighting the spread of infection …

And we pray for the world:

for the leaders of the nations and their governments; for areas most besieged by the pandemic; for broken places where healthcare and resources are scarce, and the pandemic brings further suffering; for…

After a short silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer.

Loving God,

we now bring before you those who are dear to us and who need your healing touch. We remember Audrey, Diana, Mel, Don Whyles, Chris, Paul, Lisa Smith, Anna Rita, Margaret, Christina, David Keene and others we know of.

Merciful God your Son Jesus Christ healed the lame with a touch and raised the dead with a word – hear our prayers today for those who are laid low by sorrow and illness, or by fear and weakness; breathe new life into them as we name them before you now.

We also remember those who are grieving over the loss of a loved one. We raise before you those who have died in the faith of Christ and for those whose belief is known only to you. 

After a short silence:  Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer.

And finally we pray for ourselves … and we bring before  you the immediate concerns of our hearts and our families … trusting in your provident care for us in Jesus.

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.

[Collated and edited by Revd Dr ST Mattapally, Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln]