Intercessions for Sunday 29th August 2021

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we are gathered here to intercede for the needs of the world. After the words “Merciful Father” the response is “Hear our prayer”

Throughout our lives there are milestones. May we dedicate these to our loving Father. We remember with thanksgiving the life of Michael Baker laid to rest this week and we ask for your blessing and comfort to be given to Sheila and his family. We also ask your strength to be given to Margaret Gilbert, whose daughter is seriously ill. It was on this Sunday a year ago that my husband Michael started his new life and this week I was privileged to celebrate a birthday with faithful friends from St Michael’s.

Let us lift our hearts to God and thank Him for special times in our lives when we are drawn closer to him.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

Loving Father You must be watching the events in Afghanistan with an agonising love for your suffering children. We too are aghast at the happenings there and we dedicate time today to align ourselves with the situation. We humbly beseech You to guide the leaders of the nations with Your pure and peaceable wisdom to act wisely in such challenging circumstances. Give them vision how best to use the human resources available.

Silence: Merciful Father Hear our prayer

We pray for the people on the ground trying to organise escape routes.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

We pray for the American and British troops trying order to deal humanly with so many difficult situations.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

We pray for the people choosing to flee their country: the agony of mind that they must be experiencing and the great uncertainty for their future.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

We pray for all doctors and nurses trying to relieve suffering.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

We pray for the spiritual support of all those families being torn apart by events and those who will have to be left behind. Hold them in Your loving hand.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

And we ask Your blessing of love and compassion on those in countries which are open to receive refugees; that they may make wise decisions as to the care and welfare of so many displaced persons.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

And lastly, dear Lord, we ask that gradually there will be a change of heart in the extremist factions of the world and that Your Spirit will touch, teach and guide them to a new approach.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

Eternal Father, in whose earthly family all Your children stand in equal need and share alike in Your Fatherly care, grant that Your church, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, may show to the world that unity to which You have called it in the gospel of Your Son, and by the living fellowship of all Your disciples , may bring healing to all nations.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

Dear Lord our ruler and guide, help us all to be disciplined and careful looking after ourselves and each other in the continuing covid situation. Help us to remain calm and steadfast in our trust in You . Guide all those who dedicate time and effort to keep us well.

Silence: Merciful Father – Hear our prayer

Most loving Father many of Your children are starting a new academic year. We commend them and their teachers to Your care.

Silence: Merciful Father Hear our prayer

May the blessing of God enfold us, the love of God unite us, and the Holy Spirit enflow us. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of You Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Intercessor: Rosemary Wilson