Prayers 16

Almighty God our Heavenly Father, we bow in reverence and awe in your Holy Presence, conscious of your Greatness, your Power and your Glory, and conscious also of our own weaknesses, our own failings and our own mistakes. Yet we thank you that because of Jesus and his shed blood, we can come cleansed and cared for as Children to a loving Father. We thank you today for the effectiveness of His Blood in the redemption of the whole world: and that sufficient price has been paid for all of our sin, if we will only embrace and accept such a pardon, and such a peace. We thank you that you have so loved the world that you gave your only begotten son, and that “the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives”.

Dear Father, look with patience upon our sinful world and grant to many on this day repentance and faith, that leads to hope and life in the Saviour who is Jesus Christ. Look with love upon our selfish world and grant us all the generosity of heart and hand that makes a difference for those in need. Look with

wisdom to your Church and grant her fresh insight and firm instruction in the eternal values that mark and make your Holy Word. Open our eyes, and grant us spiritual vision today as we read and meditate upon it, so that we may see the way ahead of us, and shape the world around us. Forgive our small parochial vision, and give us a glimpse of the world, and how we can make a difference in it, for Good and for God. Bless all who have tuned in today, and may the voice of God be heard across these air waves, a stronger voice than that of any preacher – and may doubts be shattered, faith be enriched and prayers be answered. For we ask all these our Prayers and Petitions in the precious name of Jesus, and for His sake….Amen

Prayers of Intercession

Gracious and Merciful God, we come again in faith and confidence before your Holy Throne, to plead and pray for those who are troubled, tried and tested in these dark and difficult days. We remember before you all who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their businesses, their investments, their hopes and their dreams. All for whom the current economic downturn has brought hardship and headache. We pray for those who have a very real struggle to make ends meet, to provide for their families and their children, and to plan and prepare for the future. We thank you that your Word shows us that in difficult times, you do not abandon your children but are indeed a “very present help in trouble”. Lead us day and daily to understand the ways in which you have adequately provided for us all, and help us to put away greed and selfishness and to favour others better than ourselves. You have taught us that it is in seeking happiness for others that we unconsciously find it for ourselves, so enable us to do what we can across the street and across the world to make life better for all. Grant to our Governments and our World Leaders, courage to tackle the difficulties and compassion to care for the weak and vulnerable. We thank you that when the outlook is bleak, we can make that upward look and find compassion and love in the heart of God. Give your Children peace in the midst of this storm, and anchor us always in the promises of your Holy Word. Help us to listen more to the voice of God than the voice of the Government, more to the wisdom of the Bible than the worldly predictions of the Broadsheets, or the Tabloid Newspapers. Grant that we might set our hopes in things Eternal, and not in things Temporal.

For we ask all these our Prayers in the mighty name of Jesus who taught us when we pray to say…. Our Father…Amen