Intercessions for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
17th January 2021

“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:

Everlasting God and our loving Father, we give thanks for this new day and as we have gathered together this morning to worship you and to listen to your word.

Father God, you choose people to send forth as workers into the world that you trusted to us to serve.  You called Samuel and gave him a mission as prophet. We ask you to open our hearts. May we hear your voice and obey your will.

After a short Silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, first of all we pray for the world stuck by coronavirus …

Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.”
At your command, the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus,
that we may experience your healing love.

Loving Father, as are again in a national lockdown and staying in our homes, working from home or doing home learning, we know that You are always with us. Where there is weariness, would you bring Your rest; where there is hopelessness, would you bring fresh encouragement; where there is despair, would you bring hope.  

After a short Silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, we remember all countries where there is war and conflict; we especially ask you to look mercifully upon the sufferings of the people especially the innocent and the poor. We pray for our Queen and Government, for the leaders in the rest of the world. Give them the courage to make wise decisions and meeting the needs of all who suffer especially during this pandemic.

After a short Silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father God, we pray today for our friends, our families and our Christian community,
Loving God we pray for those who face difficulties in their personal lives. 
We now raise before you all who are sick. Give them a patient faith in their troubles and the knowledge that you share their sufferings with them.

We especially remember Diana, Mel, Valerie, Paul, Margaret Allen, Jean, Jo, Roy, Claire Scourse, Matt, Jennifer, Christina and others we know of. Comfort and heal them, give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your saving love.

After a short Silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving and eternal God, we pray for all those we have known and whose earthly lives have ended; we rememberespecially the over 85,000 people who have died due to covid-19. … May they find rest in the eternal joy of heaven and let all who mourn their passing find comfort and peace in faith and in love.

After a short Silence:
Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

And finally let us now 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]