Intercessions, All Saints Sunday, 31st October 2021

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we, as part of God’s family, here at St Michael’s, raise our hearts and minds to our all-loving Father, to intercede for the needs of the world.

After the words Loving Father, the response is “Hear our prayer”.

In the 13^th Century, St Francis of Assisi expressed his gratitude for the beautiful world in his Canticle of the Sun. Let us join him in our Thanksgiving for God’s creation.

‘O most high almighty good Lord God, to you belong prise, glory, honour and all blessing!

Praised be our Lord God with all His creatures, and especially our brother, the Sun, who bring us the day and the light; fair is he and shines with a very great splendour; O Lord, he signifies Thee to us.

Praised be our Lord for our sister, the moon and for the Stars, which he has set clear and lovely in heaven.

Praised be our Lord for our brother, the wind, and for the air and cloud, calms and all weather by which You uphold life in all creatures.

Praised be our Lord for our sister, Water, who is very serviceable to us, humble, precious and clean.

Praised be our Lord for our brother, Fire, through whom You give light in the darkness, and he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong.

Praise be our Lord for our mother the Earth, which sustains and keeps us and brings forth diverse fruits and flowers of many colours, and grass.

Let us join St Francis in his great appreciation of the world and always remember to show our gratitude to God for it.

Loving Father, hear our prayers.

On this auspicious Sunday, before the gathering of the nations at COP26 in Glasgow, we are especially conscious of our precious and beautiful world and its present fragility. So let us spend a moment in silence to make know to Good our deepest personal appreciation of the world in which we live and our great concern for its preservation.

Silent recollection

All powerful, sovereign Lord, our hearts are full of concern for the welfare and preservation of Your world. We join this morning in earnest supplication that You will bestow the gifts of your Holy Spirit; of vision, imaginations, sincere and genuine concern, unselfishness and urgency to all those gathered in Glasgow.  Illumine their minds with the reality of the dangers which face us and fill them with a determination to take real action to preserve Your world for You and all future generations.

Let them be fully aware of the full responsibility they have, to take action NOW before it is too late.

Create an atmosphere of sincere and honest debate, and of willingness to share the burdens even at the cost to their own countries.

Give us all grace to uphold them daily in prayers that they may be given in strength to make real strides in saving the balance of our world.

Loving Father, hear our prayer.

Dear Lord, we ask for protection against Covid for all the delegates gathered in Glasgow and that they, in their turn, may not bring futher variants and infection to Scotland. Give strength and health to all the welfare services. We ask for healing and restoration to all those suffering from the infection, especially those facing the effects of Long Covid and families struggling with pain and bereavement.

And so, now we remember with love and thanksgiving the faithful and courageous witness of the life of our sisters, in Christ, Judy Harbour, who died peacefully on Wednesday this week.  May she rest in the peace she so much. We ask for comfort and support for her husband of 40 years, Jake, and all the family and we thank God for his example of faithful and loving care of her for so many years. May he feel upheld and strengthened in his great loss. We also remember Ron Wilson and Emma Farrow. May they rest in peace and all known to them.

Loving Father, hear our prayers.

Dear Father, we ask for your special support and comfort for our beloved Queen. In her disappointment of not being able to travel to Glasgow, help her to value the great prayerful help she can offer. Endure her doctors’ wise wisdom how best to care for her. We thank You for her example of Christian leadership.

Loving Father, hear our prayers.

And in final prayer for ourselves by John Whittier in the 19^th Century.

If there be some weaker one,
Give me strength to help him on;
If a blinder soul there be,
Let me guid him nearer Thee.
Make my mortal dreams come true
With the work I fain would do;
Clothe with life the weak intent,
Let me be the thing I meant;
Let me find in Thy employ
Peace that dear is than joy;
Out of self to love be led
And to heaven acclimated,
Until all things sweet and good
Seem my natural habitude.

John Whittier 1807-1892

Merciful Father, accept these prayers,

For the sake of your Son,

Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen