Intercessions
17th March 2024
The bidding today is Lord of Lent and the response is Renew our lives
Let us pray.
Almighty Creator of the universe, and loving Father of us all. Every rainbow reminds us that you are in control of the earth, of nature, the weather and the seasons and is a sign of your covenant with mankind. Your Spirit enriches the earth with the gift of life to all plants and creatures. Help us to take care of our environment by making decisions in our daily lives that will not harm the earth, so it will continue to be a beautiful place for our children and all the generations who follow us.
Followers of the way of Christ, let us bring to the Lord the needs of our times.
Lord Jesus, you called us to renounce evil and we remember that you were tried and tempted by the forces of evil. You resisted the chance to be popular instead of faithful; to choose fame instead of service, and power instead of sacrifice - but you set us all an example to follow by choosing the way of the Father.
Teach us how to recognize the approach of evil in all its forms and to be on our guard against it. You faced temptation in your life and because of this may we never be ashamed of temptation in our own lives - but save us from the weakness that gives way to it. Grant us all the strength to stand up against all that is evil and keep us firm in times of trial and temptation knowing that your support and love are always close at hand.
Make us resolute in obeying your will and seeking your kingdom that we may stay true to you and proclaim your salvation.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Lord Jesus, we ask your blessing on our church of Christ The King. We ask you to bless our clergy and council with wisdom and the skills and energy to do your will. As our Annual Meeting approaches help us all to prayerfully consider whether you are calling us to serve your church in a new way
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we ask you blessing on our brothers and sisters in the Church in Wales.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Lord Jesus, we pray for all people who hold positions of authority across the world that they do not misuse their power to the detriment of those they are supposed to be helping. We pray for all the world’s leaders and, following the recent elections, for our own leaders who are responsible for making decisions about the future. We pray that they will be given the insight and integrity to govern wisely according to your will, being fully aware of the true needs of the people.
We hold before you all the innocent ordinary people in Gaza and the Ukraine, and other places around the world, who are living under the threats of bombings and violence. Be with them, give them courage and an awareness of your presence and love for them.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Lord Jesus, look with compassion on all those in our communities whose minds are full of anxiety and bewilderment and for whom everyday is one of despair. We pray for those who are experiencing severe financial difficulty at this time; many elderly people and young families trying to exist on very limited incomes: those people faced with losing their homes and those who have lost their jobs. We pray that you will turn their despair to hope and free them from fear and self hatred. Whatever the future may bring them, may they know that you are the rock on whom they depend and that your love will help to ease their burden.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Lord Jesus, into the gentleness of your healing love we bring before you the lonely, the hungry, those living in poverty and those without hope. We remember all those who are ill and in pain: those recovering from surgery - giving thanks for the work and dedication of our doctors and nurses: for those involved in crippling accidents.
We have in our hearts some people known only to ourselves, some known to our church and some only through the news who are in need of our prayers and we remember them in a moment of quiet -
May your healing touch support and strengthen them and we pray that you will remove from them all that hurts, harms and hinders.
We give thanks for answered prayers:
We pray for all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones that you will comfort and strengthen them in their time of need.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Lord Jesus, we pray that you will bless and protect our homes, our families and our friends. Help us to build bridges of tolerance and understanding between the different generations. May our homes be havens of peace and rest – a place to call our own and a community in which we can feel safe and secure.
Help us to be mindful of those who have no homes, families or friends. Make us grateful for all that we have, give us the willingness to share what we have with others and help us to make a difference to the life of someone within our own community.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Be with us Lord as we go out in your name:
may the lips that have sung your praises always speak the truth;
may the ears which have heard your word listen only to what is good
and may our lives as well as our worship be always pleasing to you.
Lord of Lent
Renew our lives
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.