Intercessions Sun 31/7/07

Heavenly Father, Lord of time and space, we acknowledge your creation for the wonder that it is and that in this small corner you have given us a special place within it. We know this because you sent Jesus to offer us the chance to be a part of your kingdom here on Earth and through him to have life eternal.
Hear us as we ask for those things which trouble our hearts and of others the world over who also acknowledge you as their Lord.. We pray for your Church, founded by ordinary people with extraordinary faith and courage. We ask that that same faith and courage be granted to your church today that it may stand as a beacon amongst so many of the ills we see in our society and the wider world.
Bless the work of our church here at All Saints’ and that of other churches in Stretford, that with your grace and through the power of your spirit folk may be drawn to the truth of Christ’s gospel as preached week by week. Support those who work to ensure that our churches are used in every possible way in serving their communities and we pray for our ministers that they may be sensitive to the communities needs.
Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’We pray for peace in your world. Let that process start in our own hearts where we seek only your peace, that which is indeed beyond human understanding. In the world beyond our doorstep we see, through the media, the conflict and turmoil between different ideologies, between different faiths, between the haves and the have-nots, between East and West and the list seems endless and self-replicating. We pray that peace, real peace, YOUR peace is seen as the only long lasting solution and in the meantime we earnestly pray for those who work for peace and reconciliation in all its forms and situations that they know they are doing your will.We give thanks for the release of hostages like Alan Johnston and Margaret Hill but we especially pray for the countless other, less well known, victims and for their anxious families.We remember our service personnel posted overseas and their families. We are only too aware of the mounting list of deaths and casualties and pray for lasting political solutions that will bring an end to hostilities.Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’We pray for this our nation, caught up in fear of terrorist attacks. Help us all to hold on to those values in our society that uphold justice and freedom within the law. We live in a nation built on Christian principles and values, help us to ensure that now in our mainly secular society they are not devalued or lost altogether. We remember our emergency services, first on the scene and at the forefront of danger. Give them Lord the knowledge, skill and courage to serve all our people at their time of need.We remember those families caught up in the recent flooding, now finding that their lives are put on hold whilst they establish how they are to rebuild homes and even communities. Be with all those Lord who face difficulty and uncertainty in their lives whatever the cause.Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’Lord Jesus, comforter and healer to those in both physical, mental and spiritual need, we bring before you those known to our congregation here, or to us personally, who are in need at this time. We name them in our hearts in a moment of silence or out loud and are emboldened to ask that your healing touch may be felt in their lives (silence).All these we hold up to you and commit to your loving care. Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’We thank you Lord for the opportunities in the life of our church to offer support and comfort to the bereaved. And so we pray for those in our midst and the wider community who face that pain of grief at the loss of a loved one; for we can in confidence claim that: -Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those who have died and have lit candles to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope.
In silence we remember………You turn our darkness into light; in your light shall we see light.Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’A final prayer/meditation for ourselves: In the story of Simon of Cyrene, Jesus accepted the service of Simon to carry his physical burden for him.

How willingly would jesus also permit you to carry the cross? He calls but you hear him not; He invites you but you decline.

What a reproach, to bear the cross reluctantly

Grant us each the grace to gladly bear one another’s burdens

O Jesus! Whosoever does not take up your cross and follow you, is not worthy of you. Behold, we join you in the Way of your Cross; we will be your assistants, following you bloody footsteps, that we may come to you in eternal life. AmenMerciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.