Some Prayers/Intercessions for the Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity

“Prayer is a plant, the seed of which is sown in the heart of every Christian.
If it is well cultivated and nourished it will produce fruit, but if it is neglected,
it will wither and die.”

Jesus is alive.
Love has won the victory over evil and death.

Father God, we come before you, trusting in your promises and in your unconditional and merciful love for us. There are so many things, Father, that happen in our world for which we have little control. But you are an almighty God, nothing is impossible for you and you have also promised us that you will hear the prayers that we bring to you in the name of your son Jesus Christ. With this firm hope, we bring to your prayers and our needs. And so, we offer our prayers now for all people and their situations; for lives that are going through upheaval or distress; for circumstances which only you can change….

(after a short pause for silent prayer)

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your Mercy:

All       Hear our Prayer

 

We pray for those affected by the coronavirus …

Heavenly Father, we pray now for the world, all peoples everywhere, stricken with this terrible virus:

• We pray for those who are infected,
• We pray for those in hospitals,
• We remember the grieving families who have lost loved ones due to the virus,
• We remember those who are in self isolation and lockdown …

Father God, deliver us from this terrible pandemic, heal us and save us….

(after a short pause for silent prayer)

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your Mercy:

All       Hear our Prayer

 

Heavenly Father, we pray for the Church of Christ and for Christians everywhere …

• That we may not lose heart,
• That we may overcome fear,
• That we may continue to help each other,
• That we may reach out to the needy in our midst,
• we pray for our schools, pubs, shops, farms and workplaces that we may support one another and encourage one another in these difficult times;
• That under the guidance of our Parish Priest, our Churchwardens, our Parish and village Church councils who lead our local Churches, we may be able to do all we can to support and encourage each other in these difficult time…and to reach out to our communities with the love of Jesus Christ. (after a short pause for silent prayer)

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your Mercy:

All       Hear our Prayer

 

We pray for those we have promised to pray:

Forgiving God, send your healing forgiveness to all who are suffering feelings of guilt, shame or regret. Help to mend broken relationships. Be with all who feel that, through advancing years or failing health, they cannot enjoy life as it used to be. May those who are learning to live a new pattern of life feel that you are walking beside them. We especially pray for the sick and suffering and for those in our midst who are in real and urgent need of our prayerful loving support, those who are known to us or dear to us in our Parish community … we bring them by name in prayer to our Heavenly Father (recall/ read names on prayer list) and we give you thanks for those who are on the road to recovery… (after a short pause for silent prayer)

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your Mercy:

All       Hear our Prayer

 

Let us also remember those dear ones who have died and whom we still grieve and those we miss so sorely… Merciful God, bless those who have died and for whom we still grieve. May the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope to their dark places. We especially pray for those whose anniversary falls at this time….(recall or read names of those who recently departed or on anniversary list) may they be granted eternal peace and rest in Jesus Christ….. (after a short pause for silent prayer)

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your Mercy:

All       Hear our Prayer

 

And we pray for ourselves … (after a silent, slightly longer pause …)

 

At the end:

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.