Intercessions for Third Sunday of Epiphany – Year B

John 2.1-11 

We bring to you, our loving God and Father, all that we are today.  We come with memories of the last week and our hopes and fears for the week to come.

In the stillness, quieten our hearts and minds and take from us the strain and stress that weigh us down.  Give us instead we pray, a sense of your compassionate presence and the beauty of your peace.

Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

“Full of compassion and mercy and love is God, the Most High, the Almighty”

We pray to you, Lord, for your Church throughout the world that she may bear faithful witness to your generous love and your saving power.

As we offer you our prayers and worship today we ask that you will bring new richness into our faith making it like the best wine which we can share joyfully with those around us.

We pray especially for the healing ministry within your church and for those who exercise that ministry.  May your compassionate love surround us and lead us in our journey of faith into wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

“Full of compassion and mercy and love is God, the Most High, the Almighty”

Grant us, Lord, to look with your eyes of compassion at the long struggle of mankind, the wars, the hungry millions, the countless refugees, the victims of natural disasters, the cruel and needless deaths, the heartbreak and hopelessness of so many lives.

By our prayers and through our lives may we hasten the coming of the age when all nations shall be at peace and all people shall live free from fear and free from want, when there shall be no more pain or tears and when all your children will live in the security of your will and the assurance of your love.

Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

“Full of compassion and mercy and love is God, the Most High, the Almighty”

We pray for our families, our friends and for the community in which we live. As we share in each other’s joys and sorrows may we be united in your love and strengthened by the knowledge that we do not travel through life alone.

May your healing presence be with those who marriages begun with joy, hope and celebration are now in difficulties or are broken.  In the darkness of their confusion, grief and anger may they somehow sense your compassion and strength which surrounds them and their families and friends who hurt with them.

We pray for all those among us who feel alone, unloved and unlovable.  Lord, give us the insight and sensitivity we need to offer the same love and acceptance that Jesus showed to those suffering the pain of loneliness.  And as we seek to serve Christ in one another may our communities and relationships be transformed by hope and love so that, in our lives, your will may be done.

Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

“Full of compassion and mercy and love is God, the Most High, the Almighty”

Lord, we bring into your compassionate presence all who suffer physical pain of the body, emotional disgress of the mind and empty dryness of the spirit.  You know the deepest needs of each one of us and we ask that in your love and mercy you will minister to those needs.

We pray today especially for ….

And in a time of quiet we name in our hearts those we love who have need of your healing touch.

Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

“Full of compassion and mercy and love is God, the Most High, the Almighty”

Into your hands, Lord, we commend the souls of those who have died recently ….

and we remember too those who died at this time in years gone past….

Help us to trust in your mercy and love that we may live our lives in the assurance of your promise to grant us, with them, a share in your eternal kingdom.

Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

“Full of compassion and mercy and love is God, the Most High, the Almighty”

Lord, may the healing of your compassion, mercy and love remain among us in our worship this morning.  In the days ahead may your transforming spirit bring your joy and love into our everyday lives and may we gladly share that joy, love and faith with those around us.

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