Intercessions
13th October 2024
In Christ alone our hope is found – He is our light, our strength and our refuge. Let us remember those words as we come before God with our prayers for today. Help us Lord to lift our worries up to you and to leave them in Your hands.
We thank You Lord for the rain that we have had this week. Everywhere is looking refreshed and fire risk is much reduced. But Lord some areas have had too much rain at once. We give thanks that hurricane Milton did not cause as much destruction as was first feared but still lives were lost, and many are without power, fresh water and shelter. We pray for all areas affected by floods and for those who have lost everything they own – wherever they may be. We also have areas where rain is much needed, and land and livelihoods are affected by drought. We pray that help will come to those in need to ease situations of hunger, thirst and poverty. Open our eyes and ears to ways in which we can help even though we are not directly affected.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
We thank You Lord for the worldwide Church in all its diverse forms, united by our Christian faith. We praise you for all the different cultures and customs and types of services stretching right round the globe – lifting Your name in praise and worship and sharing ministry of Your Holy word – The Bible. As ministers and priests lead their congregations, we know that Your Holy Spirit unites us all wherever we are and however we are meeting. Fill us all with a new sense of Your presence and strength. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
We are lucky to live in an area of the world free from war and aggression but so many areas are not so fortunate. We long for world peace – a world where everyone is free to live their lives without the fear of persecution, prejudice and violence. You spoke out against injustice to the downtrodden when You were ministering here on earth and You laid down Your life – even though You had done no wrong - that we might have eternal life. Help us to live our lives following Your example and give us all the courage to speak out against wrongdoing and injustice in our communities.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for ourselves, our families and friends. Thank You Lord that we can bring to You in prayer any concerns we may have about them. We pray for those who are feeling in need of healing, solace and comfort. Help us to be aware of those around us and their needs – a hug, a phone call, a kind word, a word of encouragement – all can help to ease the pain of loneliness, despair and physical hurt. We pray for those who are feeling the loss of a loved one – whether it be recent or a long time ago. Bereavement takes many forms, and grief can last a life time catching us by surprise at the remembrance of times gone by and those we have lost. Thank You Lord for the comfort your Holy Spirit can bring.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
Help us to keep our hearts and minds set on You Lord as we go through this coming week. Enable us to be a listening praying church doing Your will here in the Algarve. Show us the work that needs to be done and equip us to be Your hands and feet sharing the love, grace and forgiveness that only You can give.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.