Let us pray:

To God the Father, who first loved us, and made us in His own image;
To God the Son who loved us, and washed away our Sins in his own Blood;
To God the Holy Spirit, who spreads the Love of God abroad in our hearts,
We raise our prayers this morning.

Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom, we pray for all Christian people; for Christopher, David and Nicholas our bishops, and for all who teach and guard the faith…
May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts, and knit us together in the bond of your love.

After a short silence: Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear our prayer.

Father God we pray for the leaders of the nations, and for those in authority under them … Give them all a desire to work for international unity which seeks to halt the threat of war and terrorism, for ways to ensure that all nations have full access to the Covid vaccine and that the common good of all humanity be served by their efforts.

After a short silence: Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear our prayer.

Son of God we pray for our Church and its role in our Parish and for all those who live, work  here once restrictions are lifted.  Speak your word of peace in our midst, and help us to serve one another as Christ has served us.

After a short silence: Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear our prayer.

Spirit of God we pray for those who do not believe, and for those of hesitant belief.
Open their ears to hear your voice, and open their hearts to receive you, the very Spirit of life.

After a short silence: Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear our prayer.

Gracious God we pray for those weighed down with grief, fear or sickness.  May Christ your living Word bring them comfort and healing. We especially raise before you now, those on our prayer list: Diana Scammell, Mel Deacon, Don Whyles, Chris Howard, Chris Kenny, Matt, Sophie, Lisa Smith, Anne, Margaret, Christina, Jennifer, David Keene and others we know of.

After a short silence: Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear our prayer.

We also pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone dear to them and for those whose anniversary we recall, trusting in the promise of your word of Life Eternal fulfilled through your son Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit.

After a short silence: Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear our prayer.

And, finally, we now pray for what is of immediate and urgent concern in our hearts for our lives and for our dear ones, trusting fully in the provident care of Jesus for us.

A long pause …

Lord, in your mercy.
All       hear 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]