Intercessions for the Third Sunday after Epiphany
23rd 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:
Almighty God, today finds us in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian unity; help us to listen to your voice still calling us to unity in our diversity. Help us to work together and promote unity among Christians, the followers of Jesus.
Lord, you made us to be one body and of one spirit, and so we pray that we might also establish friendly relationships with all believers, especially among Jews, Christians and Muslims, and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred making our unity visible and bringing healing to the world
After a short Silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, 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, at the global spread of the coronavirus,
that we may experience your healing love.
Loving Father, as we in the third national lockdown, working from home or doing home learning, it is not easy for us and we need your help. We know that You are always with us. Where there is weariness, please bring Your rest; where there is hopelessness your fresh encouragement; where there is despair, bring us hope.
After a short Silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Generous God, as we remember the presence of your son Jesus Christ at the Wedding at Cana we pray for all we know who are preparing for marriage and those who are beginning their married life together and at this time for those who have had to put their marriage plans on hold because of the pandemic. May they experience the love of God, the support of family and friends. We also pray for any we know amongst our families and friends who are experiencing marital problems that they may find a way forward through their present difficulties.
After a short Silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, we raise before you this morning those who are sick, sad or lonely and those who are brave and patient when things are going wrong. We pray that they may be aware of your comforting presence and know that in your hands they are safe and loved. We especially pray for those from our Parish….Audrey, Diana, Mel, Valerie, Paul, Margaret Allen, Jean, Jo, Roy, Matt, Jennifer, Desirée, 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 who have died; we remember especially the over 87,000 people who have died due to covid-19. … May they find rest in your peace. May 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]