Proper 4 – Year C Sermon and Intercessions

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications and is included here with their permission. 

Luke 7.1-10

 “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith”  (Luke 7.9b) 

It’s Jesus who usually uses stories and examples from everyday life to describe aspects of faith and the kingdom of God.  But in this story it’s the one seeking Jesus’ help who explains his own faith by using an example from his everyday military experience.  He knows what it is to have authority and to be able to command those under him to do something.  He uses this example to show his understanding of the power of Jesus which he has heard about or perhaps even witnessed.

It’s not often that Jesus is surprised by anyone.  He is deeply moved and compassionate when he encounters suffering and angry when faced with trick questions or criticism from religious leaders.  But it takes the absolute faith of a centurion, a gentile who as far as we know Jesus doesn’t actually meet, to fill him with amazement and approval. 

We learn quite a lot about this centurion from this story.  He is a military man, possibly a Roman soldier, under the command of Herod Antipas.  He is therefore used to military discipline and chains of authority.  He is not a Jew, nor has he converted to the Jewish faith.  However, we learn that he loves the Jewish people, respects their beliefs and supports them financially.  It would seem that he cares about his slaves and seeks the healing of one who is critically ill.

At his request the elders of the synagogue go willingly to Jesus and when explaining the situation they make their own request that Jesus heal the slave because of the good relationship between them and this particular gentile.

Jesus sets off with the elders but before he gets to the house he is met by some friends of the Centurion who understands the religious laws that prevent Jews entering the house of a gentile.  The Centurion, as we have seen, also understands chains of command and authority and he recognises Jesus as someone who is given authority over certain matters and who is himself under a still higher authority.

And so we hear the message the Centurion sends to Jesus, “only speak the word, and let my servant be healed”

And we hear Jesus’ amazed response, “I tell you not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

The servant is healed and now has his own story about Jesus of Nazareth to tell those who will listen.

These events take place in circumstances that were perhaps unusual at this time.   Jews and gentiles are already working together and living side by side with mutual respect and co-operation.  Some of the social and religious barriers have been broken down and people normally divided are more open to listening to each other and less inclined to exclude one another with prejudice and suspicion.

Something about the faith of the people of Israel and the way they live has attracted the Centurion and the way he has treated them has allowed the Jewish people to welcome his involvement in their community and his financial support in building their synagogue.

Between them they have created some good ground which will nourish and grow the seeds of the Kingdom of God which Jesus is sowing among them.

Hearing this story may make us think how we stand in our relationship with the community around us.  We might want to ask ourselves some difficult questions about our faith and what our lives together as Christians tell others about the God we worship.

The Centurion has no doubt in his mind that Jesus can heal his slave.  He’s probably seen Jesus at work or perhaps heard a lot about him and now truly believes in his power to heal.  His request is therefore made with confidence that it will be granted.  It’s that strength of faith that amazes Jesus.

Thinking about this man and his faith may make think about how we pray to God, asking for his intervention in our lives, his healing and his guidance. Again, we might ask ourselves some difficult questions about whether we truly recognise the authority and power of God and about how confident we are that our prayers will be heard and answered.

This short story of the Centurion holds some great truths about God, about faith and about us as his people.  Our final question to ourselves may be whether Jesus would find such strong and confident faith in his authority and power in our church  today or would he have to look further afield to find a 21st Century Centurion?

Summary

  1. In Capernaum Jews and gentiles have been living alongside each other with tolerance and respect.  A Centurion, a gentile, has been supporting the Jewish community and has financed the building of a synagogue.
  2. When one of his slaves is critically ill the Centurion, through elders of the synagogue, asks Jesus to heal the slave and later sends a further message showing his understanding of the authority and power of Jesus to heal.
  3. Jesus is amazed by this confident faith by one who is not of the people of Israel.
  4. 4.    The story may challenge us to think about our own faith as Christians and the way we relate to communities around us.  

Intercessions

President

Let us bring our prayers to God trusting in his steadfast love and in his willingness always to hear us when we call on his name. 

Biddings

We pray for God’s church in the world that she may remain faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim that Gospel to people of all nations.

We pray for God’s world with all its needs and hurts and for ourselves that we may respond to those needs with compassion and generosity. 

We pray for all God’s children in our communities of neighbourhood, work and school.  We pray that God’s steadfast love may be made known within these communities by the way in which we live and in the way in which we serve them.

We pray for all who are in need of God’s healing and peace that they may know God’s presence surrounding them in their pain and distress. 

President

Lord God, our heavenly Father, we offer these prayers to you now.  We ask that through them and the prayers of all your people your will may be done in the church, throughout the world, in our lives and in the lives of all for whom we have prayed.  We ask this in the name of your Son, our saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Sermon and Intercessions for Pentecost – Year C

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications and is included here with their permission. 

Acts 2.1-21
John 14.8-17, (25-27)
 

“the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send ….. will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”  (John 14.26)

Michele Guinness is a writer, a Christian, a vicar’s wife.  She’s also Jewish.  She tells the story of a Passover meal she and her husband organised for their congregation.  As one man was leaving the hall he said to her, “Well that was very nice, thank you.  It’s good to know that the Jews use our psalms as well”.

Jesus was Jewish, he knew the psalms and he would have celebrated Pentecost as well because Pentecost was a Jewish feast long before the disciples started speaking in tongues.  Indeed, it still is a Jewish feast.

For Jews Pentecost celebrates the wheat harvest and the offering to God of the fruits of that harvest.

For the feast of Pentecost we hear about this morning people would have come from far and wide to Jerusalem to celebrate.  They would have camped outside the city overnight and there would have been an exciting festive atmosphere with plenty of new wine flowing.

This explains why there were so many people speaking so many different languages in Jerusalem and why others might think the disciples were drunk on the morning of Pentecost itself.

And it’s into this excited and joyful gathering of people that the Holy Spirit descends with vivid tongues of flame and roaring wind.  People speak in many different languages as they have done since the ill-fated building of the tower of Babel but now the Holy Spirit unites them in this overwhelming experience and shows them the power of God in their lives. 

The Holy Spirit is clearly very powerful and is likened to a violent wind and tongues of blazing fire.  It changes people enabling them to speak in languages not their own and fills them with joy and excitement.  But what else can we learn from today’s readings about this Holy Spirit and our relationship to it?

In our Gospel reading we hear Jesus promising his disciples that when he is no longer with them they will receive “another Advocate” to be with them, in fact to abide in them, always.    He describes this Advocate as the “Spirit of truth” who will teach the disciples about the ways of God and remind them of the words Jesus spoke while he was with them.

So we learn that as our Advocate the Spirit will be alongside us before God and, like an advocate in court, will present our “case”, explain how we see the world and why we respond as we do to events and situations.  In and through Jesus the Son of Man, God knows what it’s like to be human and in the Holy Spirit he understands us and has compassion on our weaknesses and failures.

The Holy Spirit as advocate can also be described as a “helper”, someone who supports us, helps us and gives us the energy and strength we need to live in accordance with God’s will for us.

It can also be described as a “Comforter”, someone who brings extra strength to someone in special need.  In bereavement or other tragedy we offer comfort to the bereft and stay alongside them to support and reassure.  The Comforter brings God’s comfort and support within our very selves so that somehow we are held through dark times.

What Jesus is saying about the Holy Spirit is that this is how he himself will remain with his present and future disciples always.  This is how God will always stand alongside and within us teaching us how to stand alongside God, living as he wants us to live.

It might be hard for us to identify with the experience of those early disciples on the feast of Pentecost.  Perhaps we find it hard to imagine the crowds of people, celebrations, wine, singing, tongues of fire, mighty winds, preaching in many languages and lives changes so dramatically.

It might be easier for us to identify with the disciples sitting with Jesus in a quiet room somewhere while he talks to them, a small group, about the Spirit that will come to them when they no longer have him with them.

We might long for a stronger sense of having an Advocate at our side, a helper to get us through tough times and a comforter for when our hearts are troubled and afraid.

Perhaps this morning we receive a timely and encouraging reminder of the promises of Jesus to those disciples, and to us, that we will not be left alone, God will not abandon us but will come to us in a new way and make his home within us for ever. 

Summary

  1. The Holy Spirit is first poured out on the followers of Jesus at the Jewish feast of Pentecost.
  2. In their own languages people from all over the world hear the message of Good News spoken by the first disciples.
  3. Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would be sent by his Father after he had gone to be with him in heaven.
  4. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would teach us God’s truth, help us to live in God’s way and comfort us in times of distress. 

Intercessions 

President

Jesus has promised that when we pray to God in his name our prayers will be heard and answered.  Let us pray in the faith that the Holy Spirit within us will teach us how to pray in the name of Jesus and how to align ourselves with God’s will for us and those for whom we pray.

Biddings

We pray that through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit God’s church may be united, strengthened and renewed in her proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring renewed willingness among the leaders of our world to seek ways of peace and reconciliation, justice and freedom from oppression.

We pray for the communities in which we live and work that we may be advocates, helpers and comforters for one another and for those who feel excluded and forgotten by people around them.

We pray for all those whose hearts are troubled and afraid that the Holy Spirit will bring them strength and comfort, healing and hope and a sense of the presence of God around and within them always..

President

Loving God we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit.  We ask that you will bless us with that Spirit and teach us how to work with you to bring the fulfilment of your kingdom here on earth.  We offer these prayers to you in the name of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Lent – Year C

Sunday 28th February 2010

Luke 13:31-35 

Each year during Lent and Passiontide I am struck afresh by the integrity, strength and courage of Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem and, of course, during the events of Holy Week.    I sometimes wonder if this strength and courage are aspects of Jesus that aren’t always recognized or thought about in depth.  But it’s an aspect of him that I find particularly compelling and inspiring.

This morning we hear about some of the dangers Jesus is facing.

To begin with we have Herod who, some sympathetic Pharisees tell Jesus, is out to kill him.

This Herod is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great who sought to kill the infant Jesus when he learned of the birth of one who was “King of the Jews”.

Herod Antipas rules the region of Galilee, tolerated by the Romans because he keeps control over his subjects and unchallenged by rivals because he has a ruthless way of dealing with his enemies.  It was Herod Antipas who had John the Baptist arrested, imprisoned and then beheaded because John had spoken up against Herod’s sleazy private life.

So when Jesus is warned that Herod wants to kill him we know that this is a very real threat and it may well have scared off some of Jesus’ followers.

Jesus refuses to be quashed and even refers to Herod as “that fox”.

Jesus is determined to continue his ministry of healing and deliverance and anyway, he says, “it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem”.

So here’s the second danger Jesus is facing:  Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem” says Jesus, “the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it”. 

Later, Jesus will tell a powerful story about a vineyard owner sending servant after servant to collect from his tenants his share of the fruit of the vine.  Each servant is insulted, injured and thrown out.  Finally the vineyard owner sends his own son thinking he will be respected.  But no, the tenants kill the son thinking that by doing this the vineyard will become their own.

There’s no doubt that Jesus identifies himself as that son, sent by his father in the hope that he would be accepted where others had been rejected.  Jesus knew, when he set his face towards Jerusalem, what danger he would be in – but he’s going anyway.

So Jesus is in danger from Herod and is heading towards danger in the city of Jerusalem, the city at the very heart of the people of Israel – his own people who will not receive him.

And this leads on to the third risk that Jesus is taking and has been taking ever since his time of temptation in the wilderness.  This risk, which perhaps requires even more strength and courage than facing physical dangers, is the risk Jesus takes by walking in the way of love.

Perhaps many of us here this morning have known the pain of unrequited love or experienced the rejection of a much loved friend or relative who is suddenly shutting us out.  It takes courage to go on loving and trying to express that love in the face of what feels like a brick wall.  We might decide it’s easier to block out love and forgiveness and respond with anger, hatred or bitterness for our own protection.

But Jesus just goes on loving:  in the good times, the bad times, in danger, in distress, in tragedy and despair and on the cross.

He is a man of extraordinary integrity and courage.

Today we are privileged to be able to worship God without fear of modern day Herods or hostile cities.  But we have brothers and sisters in other parts of the world where it is still dangerous to be a follower of Jesus; places where Christians need strength and courage in the face of oppression, persecution and even the possibility of death for their faith.

And it may be that there are situations in our lives which require us to face a different sort of danger.  The danger of being ridiculed or criticized for our faith as Christians, of being shunned by colleagues when we take a lonely stand on some issue which differs from their views.

But perhaps the biggest challenge to our strength and courage is to do with our own inner lives.

I wonder if during this journey to Jerusalem Jesus hears again the temptations of the devil in the wilderness, the devil who has been waiting for an opportune time to strike again.  Does Jesus battle again with the temptation to overthrow Herod and take control of the region and then the world?  Does he once again resist the idea of performing some spectacular stunt like jumping off the temple walls to show the people of Israel that God will save him – he is the Messiah?

If Jesus is tempted again like this he once again has the integrity, strength and courage to resist and to remain true to his calling.

Traditionally Lent is a time of self-examination, penitence and prayer.  Last week Tricia spoke very movingly about some of the darker sides of our personalities that we may want to think about.  She mentioned lying and gossiping and I’m sure we can all think of many others including being critical and judgmental, selfish and proud.  I think that we would agree that we all have failings and fall far short of what love demands from us.

Like Jesus we, too, struggle with our own particular temptations which are tailor made to fit our particular weaknesses.  We too need to hold on to our integrity, strength and courage to remain true to our calling as his followers.

It takes a lot of courage to be truly honest with ourselves and with God.  We become very vulnerable and perhaps afraid of the consequences.  But let’s hold on to the picture of a tender, compassionate and merciful God who in Jesus holds out his arms in love to reach us and strengthen us with his own extraordinary love and courage.

Intercessions for the First Sunday of Lent – Year C

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications and is included here with their permission. 

President

Let us bring our prayers to God giving thanks for his willingness to hear us, for his generosity towards all who call on him and for his power to protect us from all that can harm our souls. 

Biddings

We pray for God’s church during this season of Lent that she may remain faithful to the Good News she proclaims.  Let her doors always be open and welcoming to those who seek God and her people generous and compassionate towards those who cry out for salvation.

We pray for the nations of this world that their leaders may exercise power with responsibility.  We pray that they will seek justice for those who are oppressed, freedom for those who are held captive and relief for those without food, water or basic medicines.

We pray for our community and particularly for all whose lives are a struggle against poverty, addictions or violence remembering especially children who are at risk in their own homes.

We pray for all who are ill, in pain or distress that they may be comforted, strengthened and protected by the Holy Spirit who ministers God’s love to all who suffer.

President

Lord God, you sent angels to minister to Jesus in the wilderness during his time of temptation.  We pray that you will send your angels to minister to all those for whom we have prayed and to ourselves as we seek to do your will in the church, the world, our communities and in our own lives.  We offer these prayers to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who leads us along the way of fellowship with you.  Amen.

Intercessions for the First Sunday of Christmas – Year C

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications and is included here with their permission. 

President

Let us bring our prayers for the needs of ourselves and others to almighty God who is also our loving Father, full of compassion and mercy. 

Biddings

We pray for the leaders of churches and the teachers of faith that they may be blessed with wisdom and insight to encourage and guide those who are seeking the way to God.

We pray for the leaders of nations and all in positions of authority over others.  We pray that they may be blessed with compassion, a sense of justice and the humility and meekness to accept the responsibilities that come with power.

We pray for the community in which we live and worship.  We pray that our fellowship may be one in which all are welcome to share in our journey of learning and discovery.

We pray for those who are weighed down by illness, pain, bereavement or anxiety.  We pray that the peace of Christ may rule in their hearts bringing them comfort and hope in their suffering.

We pray for those who have gone before us into God’s eternal presence and give thanks that they join us in singing praise and thanksgiving to God who loves us and calls us to himself. 

President

Heavenly Father we pray that you will accept these prayers, offered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and give us grace to speak and act also in his name always giving thanks to you through him.

Reflection and Prayer for Sunday next before Advent – Year B Feast of Christ the King

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications
and is included here with their permission.

John 18.33b-37
A King from another world 

If Jesus was a King from this world:

  • His followers would fight to keep him from injustice and death.
  • He would have had you, Pilate, overthrown or killed.  You would not be standing in judgment and passing sentence.
  • He would suppress any truth spoken against him and twist words to suit his own purpose.
  • He would control with force and obedience to his will would come from fear of punishment or death.

But Jesus is not a King from this world.

  • His followers have fled in terror and he stands before you, Pilate, vulnerable and powerless to defend himself.  Yet he is a King.
  • And you, Pilate, can do with him what you will.  Your position is safe, protected by the might of Rome.  Why would you seek to do justice?
  • He is Truth itself and challenges you, Pilate, to believe him.  You cannot hide behind clever words and lies. You have a choice.  Accept Truth and let him change your life or reject him and for ever know you put innocence to death.
  • Our love for him is our response to his love; our loyalty to him is our response to his faithfulness through all generations; our obedience to his will is our response to his obedience which led him to die on the cross for us.

You see, Pilate, we have been given eternal life through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, Christ the King.  It was for this he was born.

Prayer:

Christ Jesus, our Lord and King, renew and strengthen our love for you and keep us faithful in serving you above all rulers from this world.  Amen.

Reflection and Prayer for Second Sunday before Advent – Year B

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications
and is included here with their permission.

Mark 13.1-8
“Be still and know that I am God”  (Psalm 46 v10a)

Picture in your mind a huge church building:  St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey or York Minster perhaps.  Wonder at the scale of the buildings, the beauty of its architecture and windows, admire the carvings and altar frontals and sense the holiness that speaks of generations of prayer and praise.

Now imagine someone saying to you with great authority that this amazing building with all its beauty and holiness, all its symbolism and meaning is to be utterly destroyed leaving only rubble and nothing of the glory.

We would want to know how, when and why this was to happen.  Will it be an earthquake, a crashing plane, rioting vandals, a terrible conflict or the act of a government or regime that will not tolerate any religious buildings, public worship or even personal belief?

Like the disciples, we might not get a reassuring reply.  The destruction will be just one of many terrible things that will happen throughout the world.  There will be much to suffer before time itself stops.

“Don’t be alarmed” says Jesus “this all has to happen”.

It’s hard not to be alarmed when nations and kingdoms rise up against each other, when earthquakes cause untold damage and destruction and famines bring suffering and death to thousands of men, women and children.  We might want to pray words from Psalm 46.

Prayer (based on Psalm 46):

Lord God, be our refuge and strength, helping us in times of trouble.  Protect us when the earth changes, mountains shake and the nations are in an uproar.  Help us to be still and to know that you are God, our refuge and strength.  Amen.

Reflection and Prayer for Third Sunday before Advent – Year B

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications
and is included here with their permission.

Mark 1.14-20
“You’re hired!”

There are no adverts in the “Vacancies” column or application forms; no shortlists or interviews; no profiling or testing; no job description or contract; no salary or pension plans.

Just one man on the road with a message to proclaim and a mission to accomplish.  A man in need of students, apprentices, witnesses and friends.

“Follow me” he says, “I’ve got a job for you.”

And they follow him into the unknown without, it seems, a backward glance.

What a way to start a bid to change the world:  is he crazy?  Does he have an alternative plan?  How can this work?

Four ordinary working men are called to join another ordinary working man and, like him, to leave behind their work, families and friends – all that is familiar.

But here’s the key to this story.  The one who calls them is not ordinary at all.  This man setting off with purpose and passion is God in human form and for God all things are possible.

The four men don’t yet recognise him but still they go.  We do know who called them.  We hear him calling us too.  He calls us to change the world, to bring peace and reconciliation where there is conflict and division and to make God’s love known among all people everywhere.

We hear him calling, he’s waiting for our response, today, now.  He has a job for us to do, we’re hired!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we hear your call but don’t always respond immediately and willingly.  Help us to follow the example of the fishermen of Galilee and walk with you into the unknown future as your disciples and friends.  Amen.

Sermon and Intercessions for Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity – 7th October 2018 (Proper 22)

This material was first published by Redemptorist Publications
and is included here with their permission.

Mark 10.2-16
“And the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two, but one flesh.”  (Mark 10.8)

We are at the wedding of two friends both of whom we’ve known quite a long time as members of our congregation.  They contribute in different ways to the life of the church and we in turn wish to support them as they become a married couple.  We sense that as they are joined in marriage a new being is created, made up from the two of them but also with its own energy, personality and characteristics.

The words of Jesus heard in our Gospel reading today, which form part of the marriage service, serve to affirm this new relationship which has come into being: “What God has joined together, let no-one separate.”  As friends and family we are asked to respect and support the relationship between husband and wife as they themselves nurture the new creation they now share together.

But it’s likely that we have also witnessed the tragedy of a broken marriage when it seems that a separation or divorce is the only way ahead.  When that happens we will grieve at the sadness of our friends but perhaps also for the loss of that new being, that energy which once belonged to them as a couple.

Any discussion about marriage and divorce and what Jesus said about them will undoubtedly touch some very sensitive and maybe painful areas of our lives and surely Jesus in his teaching, while stating clearly God’s ideals, would recognise our overriding need for his compassion and love.

In that loving spirit then let us look more closely at those teachings of Jesus which we hear this morning. 

Some Pharisees come to question Jesus about divorce and, as he does on other occasions, he turns the question round to those who asked it.  “What did Moses command you?” he asks.

Their reply is based on Deuteronomy 24.1-4 which states that if his wife does not please him and he finds something objectionable about her, a man may indeed write a certificate of divorce and dismiss her.

Jesus then says that this was allowed as a “concession” because men and women, being human, could not live up to the ideal required by God.

By the time of Jesus controversy had arisen as to what behaviour or condition of the wife might be described as “objectionable” and not pleasing to her husband.  For some only adultery came under these headings.  For others it might be that something as trivial as cooking food disliked by her husband could be grounds for divorce.  Such abuses of this law left divorced women vulnerable, unprotected and without the financial means to look after themselves.  Jesus would always speak up for the powerless and unprotected and this is no exception we can be sure.

However, he would also not lose sight of the perfect will of God for the man and woman he created.  For that perfect will Jesus goes back to the book of Genesis (which at the time was believed to have been written by Moses):  “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”.  Jesus goes on to say that when they marry two people become one and having been so joined by God they are not to be separated by human intervention.

In other areas of our lives we recognise that we cannot always attain the highest standards or the perfect performances.  We confess our sins to God, acknowledging that we fall short of being the people he means us to be.  In all these situations we know that there is an ideal or a perfection to strive for as we seek to do God’s will in this broken world.

But this is a broken world and human beings are broken people with failings and weaknesses which prevent us from becoming completely healed and restored in this life.  Given this truth is it any wonder that we sometimes fail to live up to the vows we made to each other and to God?   And sometimes the brokenness is so great that to heal each individual the marriage has to be put aside.

Like Jesus we can chose to acknowledge God’s will for man and woman to be together as one being, never to be separated whilst also accepting that when this proves not to be possible we may have to support a couple as they move apart from each other.  They will need, not judgment and condemnation but love and compassion.

Summary

  1. God’s will is for a man and woman to join so that they become one being and cannot be separated.
  2. Because of human failings and weaknesses the law of Moses permitted divorce in certain circumstances.
  3. That law of Moses was abused leaving divorced women particularly vulnerable and  unprotected.
  4. Jesus re-states clearly God’s perfect will and the ideal of marriage.
  5. We are called not to lose sight of that ideal but to be compassionate when others cannot meet its demands. 

Intercessions 

President

With our brother, the Lord Jesus Christ, at our side to intercede with us and for us, let us pray to God our Father who will look with compassion, love and mercy on us and on all for whom we pray.

Biddings

Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, especially those who suffer because of their faith in the Lord Jesus.

Let us pray for all who hold authority over others from leaders of nations to leaders of industry and trade.  Let them care for those who look to them for protection, justice and freedom to live in peaceful times.

Let us pray for communities and families around us, especially those in which relationships are strained to breaking point.  Let us pray that God’s spirit of love and reconciliation will bring healing, understanding and new hope for the future.

Let us pray for all who are suffering pain and distress that they may sense that God is mindful of them and cares for them with a love which will not let them go. 

President

Lord God, your love is beyond our understanding and you promise to hear our prayers.  Help us to trust in your promise and to recognise your spirit at work among those for whom we have prayed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.