Let us pray:

Almighty God and Loving Father, as we are in the holy time of Lent, we thank you for the gift of our Christian faith, that of knowing and believing in you, loving you and following you.

And as we are reflecting on your story in our story through our Lent booklets, help us to see this time of 40 days of Lent as a journey of growing in our Christian call as followers of Jesus.

We now humbly bring our prayers to you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ who has promised us that you would answer the prayers made in His holy name.

After a short silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer.

A Covid Poem

When this is over,
may we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversations with neighbors
A crowded theatre
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.

When this ends,
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way–better
for each other
because of the worst. (written by: Laura Kelley Fanucci)

After a short silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer.

God of grace and mercy, your son Jesus wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. Send your Holy Spirit on those who grieve, who struggle, and all who fear. Meet us in our times of questioning, anger, and doubt. Show us what we can do to enable one another to overcome isolation, distress, and despair. And make us a humbler people who know our need of you. In Christ’s name. Amen

After a short silence: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer.

Loving God, we bring before you those who are dear to us and who need your healing grace. We remember the Duke of Edinburgh, Audrey, Diana, Mel, Don Whyles, Chris, Paul,  Desiree, Lisa Smith, Anna Rita, Margaret, Christina, David Keene and others we know of.

Merciful God your Son Jesus Christ healed the lame with a touch and raised the dead with a word – hear our prayers today for those who are laid low by sorrow and illness, or by fear and weakness; breathe new life into them as we name them before you now.

We also remember those who are grieving over the loss of a loved one. We raise before you those who have died in the faith of Christ and for those whose belief is known only to you. 

After a short silence:  Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, in your mercy.

All       hear our prayer.

And finally we pray for ourselves … and we bring before you the immediate concerns of our hearts and our families … trusting in your provident care for us in Jesus.

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.

[Collated and edited by Revd Dr ST Mattapally, Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln]