Mark 5.21-43 

Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.

Heavenly Father, as we pray to you this morning may we believe in our hearts that for you, all things are possible.  Help us to have faith in your power to bring the freshness of new beginnings and new life into the stale atmosphere of oppression and despair and the warmth of love and reconciliation into the frozen cold of anger and hatred.

May the transforming power of your Spirit work among us and through us today.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Lord of the Church, we pray for our brothers and sisters throughout the world who acknowledge your presence and power in their lives.  We pray for those who are laughed at or victimised because of their faith in you.  We pray that you will give us strength to be true to our faith when it is questioned or belittled.

We pray for our church and our community and for a renewal of our vision and dedication to the work you have called us to do.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Lord of all nations, we pray for the needs of this world.

We pray for those nations where communities are broken by prejudice and hatred, where the fear of violene is never far away.  We pray that where human endeavours to find peace and reconciliation seem so inadequate your power to draw people together will bring renewed hope for the future.

We pray for those who have knowledge and power in the fields of medicine and science.  Let them not be corrupted by greed and ambition but grant them wisdom, integrity, humility and compassion to use the knowledge they have gained only for the good of all people.

Throughout the world-wide community of nations may there be a sense of responsibility for each other and a desire for equality and justice for all your children.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of compassion, we pray for all those who are suffering with anxiety, stress, grief or pain and illness.

Long ago a woman believed she would be healed if she could just touch the clothes of Jesus.  May we today believe that if we pray to you for those we know and love, your healing power will also flow into their lives bringing wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

In a moment of quiet our hearts reach out to you in prayer for the needs of those we love.

Grant us strength in our weakness, comfort in our sorry, peace of mind in our anxiety and stress and the renewed hope for life which only your presence and power can bring.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Lord of time and of eternity, we pray for those who have died and are now with you in your kingdom ….

We thank you for the communion we share with all those who have gone before us and pray that our lives may reflect on earth the light that surrounds them in your eternal kingdom.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Lord, be present among us this morning and may the transforming power of your Spirit work in us and through us today and throughout the coming week.

Merciful Father
accept these prayers
For the sake of your son,
our saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.