Some Prayers/ Intercessions for Christ The King/Sunday Before Advent
“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.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, you are the king and Lord of our hears and you have told us that whatever we do to the least of our brothers or sisters we do to you. Be with us this morning as we come together to pray and seek your help to live according to your will for us. Father we pray to you, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit.
We pray for the world. We look to you, O Lord, to guide and support our leaders to work together to build-up and sustain a more caring and harmonious world. We think of the emerging new leadership of the USA and ask that you give your support and guidance to the president elect and his team.
We also pray for all those affected across the world by conflicts, all conflicts – all of those killed, the families left behind to rebuild their lives, the men and women physically and mentally disabled and disfigured through combat; the homelessness and insecurity of so many including the refugees and the children caught up in conflicts. We think particularly of The Yemen, and of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tigray, where people live in fear, in ever increasingly uncertain times.
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our nation at a time of very serious and pressing issues. Be with the government of our country, guiding the prime minister and his cabinet to make wise, and just decisions for the good of our country, addressing the real fear of very many and addressing justly and timely the plethora of medical, social, financial and emotional problems affecting so many.
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, we thank you for the progress being made towards the development of a vaccine to combat the coronavirus. We ask you to be with the research scientists whose great expertise and commitment are driving advances forward at a pace. At the same time, open our ears to the importance of adhering to all of the restrictions placed on us, so that we can more rapidly reduce the rates of infection.
We ask that you continue to give strength and hope to the millions of people suffering from the virus. We pray for those who have died and commend them to your mercy. We ask for your blessing on the many organisations and individuals that do a great deal to support medical staff and counsellors. In supporting and assisting those who have the virus and those who struggle emotionally and financially, they do your will.
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our community. Thank you, O God, for the work of the Springline Parish and the help it gives to its parishioners, both through worship and within the community. We ask you to guide us all in playing our part in supporting those who work hard to build up the feeling of belonging to the community. Let us be there for each other every day, in good and bad times, mirroring your teaching.
We ask you particularly, to show compassion and love and hope to those who are fighting really hard, with everything they have, to overcome very serious illnesses and sad situations. We especially remember Diana, Mel, Paul, Margaret Allen, Gene, Jo, Roy, Claire Scourse, Matt and others we know of. Be with them all, Lord, and with us as we think of them, pray for them and wherever possible help them. Bless them and us in the knowledge that you are in everything – the tragic and the beautiful, the nightmare and the dream, the darkness and the light.
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We also remember those dear ones who have died and whom we still grieve and those we miss so sorely… May the light of Christ which eternally shines bring hope to the 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….
(Pause) Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And we pray for ourselves … (after a silent, slightly 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.
(Intercessions written by Mrs Lynne Blakelock)