Intercessions
8th September 2024
Let us begin this time of intercessory prayer by reminding ourselves of King David's prayer to God as an act of holy worship in Psalm 141 -
(We) call to you, Lord, come quickly to (us); hear (us) when (we) call to you. May (our) prayer be set before you like incense....
We come before you Lord in prayer like King David; not because we have to, but because we want to; as an act of holy worship like him. In doing so we give you thanks for your abundant love and patience with us, your endless blessings which we often don't deserve, and your faithful watching over us. Thank you for being with us in every season of our lives, the joyful times, and the sad and difficult times, and for being our constant guide when we are willing to listen and be guided.
Thank you for your mighty works in all creation, which here in the Algarve we cannot fail to see every day in the beauty and wonder of nature, the ocean and beaches, and the most amazing sunrises and sunsets. Forgive us when we barely notice, when we take it for granted, or we fail to do our part in looking after it.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, we want to thank you for this church of Christ The King, for all the people that make up this church, and for our Rector Steve and his family. For all who faithfully serve here not just on Sundays but throughout the week. Thank you for the safe homecoming of Steve, Veronica, Ayla and Zelia. We pray they will soon settle back into their life here and especially the girls as they prepare for another school year. Thank you for your continued provision for all our needs, and we pray you will be with us in our vision for a unified, multicultural and prayerful church family. We pray you will equip us through good biblical teaching and discipleship, to go out into this community and evangelise and be good Christian witnesses.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for your church in Myanmar and the nation. The people have endured devastating natural disasters and decades of military rule and conflict. Lord, like so many countries around the world, Myanmar needs an end to conflict and to find a way to lasting peace. Please hear the prayers of your people Lord for change, for fair elections and good governance.
Lord there is a desperate need for peace in many places right now: the Russia and Ukraine conflict which has escalated in recent weeks; Israel and Gaza and tensions with their neighbours, so many countries in Africa that have been in conflict for years that barely get reported about. It's hard for us to know how to pray for peace and hold on to that hope, so Lord Jesus we look to you. We pray for an end to all violence, wisdom and guidance for the peacemakers, the release of hostages, the care and protection of the innocents, and humanitarian aid to get to where it is needed the most. We pray for your church as it ministers in places of conflict, bringing loving support and often protection.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, we pray for Portugal, its people and government. For most of us, this is not our place of birth but where we have chosen to settle. We are grateful to be accepted here and to call this our home. We pray that our newly elected government will lead with wisdom and fairness, will understand and put the needs of its people before popularity, We pray for the needy in our communities, the lonely, the frail. As we look to be missional, guide us Lord to where we can be helping and working in the community in acts of service; caring as you care, loving as you love, giving of ourselves as well as our resources. We pray for the lost, often living without hope, for those who live without purpose and feel something is missing but don't know what. As we launch Alpha this autumn, please guide us to reach the people who need you Lord in their lives, who need the hope that is found in you.
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, we thank you for the blessing of good health. Help us to be grateful for our good health and to be mindful that this is not so for a lot of people. We think of those we pray for every week on our prayer letter, for those in our family, our friends who face health problems, and other troubling issues. In a moment of silent prayer, we bring them before you now........
Lord in Your mercy
Hear our prayer
Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers. Give us patience when the answer seems slow in coming. Help us to trust you in all things, faithful in the knowledge that you only want the best for us and those we love. Be our strength in times of weakness and help us to believe in your perfect timing.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.