Foolish God...
Intercession
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Foolish God,
You allow young people to throw away their lives for an idea, for a cause. Wouldn't it be better to suggest a little temperance, a little restraint?
Foolish God, help me to be foolish too. Give me the courage and the passion to be prepared to die for you. Give me a young heart, so that I never grow cynical and worldly weary, but am always open to new ideas, to fresh ways of presenting your gospel and approaching you. Help me never to condemn new ideas because I'm afraid to change, but may I use my maturity to identify the best of the old and the best of the new. And then may I marry them together, so that there is a bridge between the old and the young which is strong but flexible, and is full of love.
Almighty God, you have made us a little lower than the angels, but we aren't all able to maintain your high standards. Thank you for the Saints who have gone before us to inspire us and show us how we might live. May your Church continue to produce Saints, and may we in your Church develop the sensitivity to identify and support those ordinary people among us who might be saints in the making.
Today we pray especially for your Church in ...
Almighty God, times of crisis and of war produce both saints and sinners. Give the leaders of the nations the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to implement it. May they hold firm to the right course and refuse to be swayed by uninformed public opinion, but may they listen carefully to the public and discern when the public voice is the voice of compassion and love.
Today we pray especially for ...
Almighty God, saints are often rejected by their own community, who are unable to face the light which streams from those who are exceptionally good people. In our community, may we appreciate and welcome all comers without judgement and without malice. And may we gradually grow towards you, our God, so that in time we too might become exceptionally good people.
Today we pray especially for those in our community who must fight against difficult conditions at home or at work, and who find it hard to reach their own true potential.
Almighty God, we pray for the sick, holding them in your presence and asking for your healing hands to be laid upon them. We pray too for those who care for them, and especially for those quiet saints who give up their own life to care for another.
Almighty God, in the early church all Christians were called "saints", and after death meet with you in the great Community of Saints. We remember before you all those whom we love but who have gone before us. And those who have died recently.
Today we pray especially for those who have influenced our lives for good, both those who have died and those who are still alive.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Foolish God,
You allow young people to throw away their lives for an idea, for a cause. Wouldn't it be better to suggest a little temperance, a little restraint?
Foolish God, help me to be foolish too. Give me the courage and the passion to be prepared to die for you. Give me a young heart, so that I never grow cynical and worldly weary, but am always open to new ideas, to fresh ways of presenting your gospel and approaching you. Help me never to condemn new ideas because I'm afraid to change, but may I use my maturity to identify the best of the old and the best of the new. And then may I marry them together, so that there is a bridge between the old and the young which is strong but flexible, and is full of love.
Almighty God, you have made us a little lower than the angels, but we aren't all able to maintain your high standards. Thank you for the Saints who have gone before us to inspire us and show us how we might live. May your Church continue to produce Saints, and may we in your Church develop the sensitivity to identify and support those ordinary people among us who might be saints in the making.
Today we pray especially for your Church in ...
Almighty God, times of crisis and of war produce both saints and sinners. Give the leaders of the nations the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to implement it. May they hold firm to the right course and refuse to be swayed by uninformed public opinion, but may they listen carefully to the public and discern when the public voice is the voice of compassion and love.
Today we pray especially for ...
Almighty God, saints are often rejected by their own community, who are unable to face the light which streams from those who are exceptionally good people. In our community, may we appreciate and welcome all comers without judgement and without malice. And may we gradually grow towards you, our God, so that in time we too might become exceptionally good people.
Today we pray especially for those in our community who must fight against difficult conditions at home or at work, and who find it hard to reach their own true potential.
Almighty God, we pray for the sick, holding them in your presence and asking for your healing hands to be laid upon them. We pray too for those who care for them, and especially for those quiet saints who give up their own life to care for another.
Almighty God, in the early church all Christians were called "saints", and after death meet with you in the great Community of Saints. We remember before you all those whom we love but who have gone before us. And those who have died recently.
Today we pray especially for those who have influenced our lives for good, both those who have died and those who are still alive.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
