Intercessions

Prayers of the people - offered with thanksgiving and intercession for the universal Church and the local Church, the world and our nation, the local community and the community of heaven, those in need, and our ministries.

We pray for the church: for our bishop and clergy, and all those called to lead, encourage and inspire the church. We pray for the prophets in our midst, that we will recognise God's truth in their message and change our ways. We pray for Christians in danger because of their faithfulness to the Gospel.

God of the prophets, you have given great visions to humble and disregarded people, and strengthened them to speak truth to power. Keep us all open to the truth you want to speak through our own lives, faithfully witnessing to what you have shown us. Give your church the courage and imagination to communicate the Gospel in new ways in this changing world.

We pray for the world: as COVID-19 takes on new forms and becomes even more dangerous, give wisdom to leaders of nations to take effective measures, and keep people ready to play their part in keeping their communities safe. We pray for the many places where health services are crumbling and supllies are running out. We pray for those displaced by war and threatened by famine. We pray for continued effort and determination in addressing climate change, as we all start to see the frightening effects of having done too little too late.

God of hope and healing, give comfort to families bereaved in the pandemic. Bring help to those who have lost homes and possessions and have nothing to feed their children, and show them the way to safety. We acknowledge that the waste and greed of our soviety threatens severe consequences for generations to come; we have heard the prophets and not taken them seriously. Help us maje the necessary changes to our way of life without complaining, and in your mercy heal the damage to the environment where we don't know how to help the process.

We pray for the community: for the City Mission and its witness to God's love for the needy and marginalised. For first responders, police, medical staff and welfare workers. For those in long term care and the sick.

God of grace, through Jesus Christ you have supplied us richly with wisdom and insight, with material and spiritual blessings, with an inheritance of faith and holiness, so that we will further the work of your kingdom. May everything we do show our gratitude to you through love for our neighbours and care for your world. Bless those we pray for, and bring them healing and hope.

God, we hear many voices around us, claiming to know what's best for us and what will make us happy. Help us to discern the prophetic voices that truly speak from you and lead us to righteousness, and to oppose the tempting voices that play to our self-interes and prejudices. Give us courage to persist in speaking truth and acting in love, whatever the consequences.

prayer