Sunday 10 May 2020
Prayer To those shaken and confused, Lord, grant guidance. To those frightened of what they may have to face, grant reassurance. To those worried they may be showing symptoms of infection, grant wisdom to take the appropriate steps. To those most at risk whose health is taking a turn for the worst, grant quality care and healing. To those troubled about critically ill loved ones, grant help to believe the best, yet to cope with the worst should it come. To those who, despite the best efforts of medical staff, are dying, grant relief from any physical distress, and a peaceful end. To those wrestling with the bitterness of bereavement, grant comfort and hope, even amid the tears. To all engulfed or overwhelmed by the impact of this crisis that has fallen so heavily upon us, grant the knowledge that, however much it may seem otherwise, you are with us, in life and in death, sharing our pain, our heartache and our fear, and that, come what may, your love for all will continue. Amen. (Nick Fawcett) The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven… hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us in the time of trial and deliver us from evil for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Readings Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 John 14:1-14 Prayers for ourselves and others. Loving God, On this day we give thanks for the Work of Christian Aid, the official charity of the mainline churches – the charity that proclaims its belief in “life before death”, and which strives to bring hope to people in greatest need around the world – whoever they may be. All year round the work continues but at this particular time of year we have the opportunity to stand with them and to become partners by giving to support the work. So we ask your blessing on Christian Aid as it continues to make a difference in the poorest parts of earth. God we pray for ourselves and those around us in this time of trouble. We who have been so blessed and who live in relative comfort and security have now woken up to the fragility of life, and been made to ask serious questions of what matters most. So we pray that you will strengthen our innermost being with your love that bears all things even the weight of this global pandemic even the endurance of watching for symptoms or of patiently waiting for this to pass watching while we pray, keeping our gaze fixed on you, and looking out for our neighbours near and far. Instil in our shaken souls the belief and hope that all things are possible with your creative love for strangers to become friends for science to source solutions for resources to be generously shared so everyone, everywhere, may have what they need. May your perfect love that knows no borders cast out any fear and selfishness that divides. May your love that never ends be our comfort, strength and guide for the wellbeing of all and the glory of God. Amen A Closing Prayer In our fear, Lord, be our confidence. In our weakness, be our strength. In our panic, be our calm. In our sickness be our healing. In our confusion, be our anchor. In our insecurity, be our rock. In our darkness, be our light. In our grief, be our solace. In our despair, be our hope. In our storm, be our sunshine. In our night, be our day. Amen. |
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