Loving And Forgiving 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.
Loving and forgiving God,
I don't want to see myself as others see me. I don't want to hear what others say about me behind my back. I'm afraid it will hurt too much. Help me Lord, to face my real self. Help me to discover who and what I really am. Hold my hand as I make that terrifying journey of exploration, and put your arms around me as I discover the truth. And then, Lord, enable me to put aside my guilt and shame, and receive your overwhelming love and forgiveness and healing.
Help us in your Church to be flamboyantly big-hearted in all our giving. Help us so to experience your love that we cannot help but respond with extravagant generosity, by pouring out our very selves for you. May we see you in the Pharisee and in the sinner, and respond to all with such warmth that all people may know they are welcome in your Church.
Today we hold especially in your presence the province of Rupert's Land in Canada and Vaxjo in Sweden, praying for all the people in those areas and asking that your Church may touch every heart.
Loving and forgiving God, long ago you wept over Jerusalem and you must have continued to weep ever since over the constant violence within your world. Forgive those who are so blinded by their nationalism that they hold human lives cheaply. Enable those with earthly power to use it both generously and wisely, so that the time soon comes when all may live in peace, when all may eat their fill each day, and when every child has a future.
Loving and forgiving God, sometimes when we keep rigidly to the rules, we seem to have no need of forgiveness. Increase our awarenss of our inner selves, so that we may begin to realise our own deep sin and turn to you for help and forgiveness. Hold our hands as we experience remorse and guilt, and dry our tears with your gentle touch. And help us then to let go of our sin and guilt, leaving it all in your hands so that we may move forward with you guiding our lives. And as we grow into holiness, give us the strength and courage we shall need to stand against meanness of spirit and to embrace generosity.
Loving and forgiving God, heal our memories of past failures and humiliations and hurts. Enable us to hold our heads high and walk forward for you. Touch those who are sick and those who only dare to feel the hem of your robe, that all may be healed from deep within. Care for the carers and support the supporters, that those who are sick might have the best possible environment for becoming well again. We name before you....
Loving and forgiving God, some of our friends are dying or have died recently. Remove from them any fear of the unknown, and any fear of facing you. May they know that Jesus is there for them and that you only hold out your arms in love and forgiveness and joy, as the father held out his arms to the Prodigal Son. Comfort those who mourn and help them through the darkness they must face, knowing that you share in their pain and weep with them. We name before you....
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.
Loving and forgiving God,
I don't want to see myself as others see me. I don't want to hear what others say about me behind my back. I'm afraid it will hurt too much. Help me Lord, to face my real self. Help me to discover who and what I really am. Hold my hand as I make that terrifying journey of exploration, and put your arms around me as I discover the truth. And then, Lord, enable me to put aside my guilt and shame, and receive your overwhelming love and forgiveness and healing.
Help us in your Church to be flamboyantly big-hearted in all our giving. Help us so to experience your love that we cannot help but respond with extravagant generosity, by pouring out our very selves for you. May we see you in the Pharisee and in the sinner, and respond to all with such warmth that all people may know they are welcome in your Church.
Today we hold especially in your presence the province of Rupert's Land in Canada and Vaxjo in Sweden, praying for all the people in those areas and asking that your Church may touch every heart.
Loving and forgiving God, long ago you wept over Jerusalem and you must have continued to weep ever since over the constant violence within your world. Forgive those who are so blinded by their nationalism that they hold human lives cheaply. Enable those with earthly power to use it both generously and wisely, so that the time soon comes when all may live in peace, when all may eat their fill each day, and when every child has a future.
Loving and forgiving God, sometimes when we keep rigidly to the rules, we seem to have no need of forgiveness. Increase our awarenss of our inner selves, so that we may begin to realise our own deep sin and turn to you for help and forgiveness. Hold our hands as we experience remorse and guilt, and dry our tears with your gentle touch. And help us then to let go of our sin and guilt, leaving it all in your hands so that we may move forward with you guiding our lives. And as we grow into holiness, give us the strength and courage we shall need to stand against meanness of spirit and to embrace generosity.
Loving and forgiving God, heal our memories of past failures and humiliations and hurts. Enable us to hold our heads high and walk forward for you. Touch those who are sick and those who only dare to feel the hem of your robe, that all may be healed from deep within. Care for the carers and support the supporters, that those who are sick might have the best possible environment for becoming well again. We name before you....
Loving and forgiving God, some of our friends are dying or have died recently. Remove from them any fear of the unknown, and any fear of facing you. May they know that Jesus is there for them and that you only hold out your arms in love and forgiveness and joy, as the father held out his arms to the Prodigal Son. Comfort those who mourn and help them through the darkness they must face, knowing that you share in their pain and weep with them. We name before you....
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
