Whether here or online, in real time or catching up… in union with Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to our God who transcends time and space.
[For the Church] … For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation. (Ps 62.1)
Bless your people, O God, joining together to worship you this day across the whole earth. Give us all a sense of our unity, that our hearts may be lifted as one. Be with those who are tired and wavering. Be with those who cling onto false certainties. Be with those who are persecuted, even imprisoned, tortured and killed because of their faith. Teach us to meet all with a heart that waits only upon you, and to seek your salvation alone.
Bless this Cathedral, O God, our Bishop Robert, and its clergy, staff and its whole community. Bring clarity and inspiration to its reimagining of its purpose and mission. May it be a place where [your people may join in worship,] any in need can meet with you, and a beacon of light in Exeter and far and wide.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
[For Creation & World] … “Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps 46.10)
Bless this good earth which you have made, O God. Bless all plants and living creatures upon it. Teach us to look after it aright, to respect its laws and limits. Teach us to notice the good things that lockdown brought us: the clear skies [when air pollution lifts,] and the sound of birdsong [when the traffic is stilled], the healing to be found in nature [when we pay attention], and the new deeper connections made posible online. Elp us to choose and to do the good. And help us to resist what is bad: the relentless exploitation, thoughtless waste, mindless consumerism, and lust for power that warps our humanity, feeds violence and wars, and destroys our fragile home.
Bless our leaders, O God, in local and national governments, international organisations, public bodies, unions, business, media, not-for-profits and citizen groups. Give them wisdom and integrity as they grapple with the issues of our day [– with coronavirus, with Brexit, with climate change, and with poverty and inequality –] and may they always seek justice, to lift up those who are vulnerable, and to heal divisions.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
[For the Local Community] … Blessed be the Lord day by day, the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens. (Ps 68.19)
Bless this city of Exeter and county of Devon, O God, as the coronavirus lockdown eases. Help us [to hold on to the good things we have discovered during this period, and] to be responsible with our freedoms. Bless all who are still on the frontline – the health and other key workers – all who work in tourism and hospitality, and all who have been struggling to make ends meet and now need to rebuld their livelihoods.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
[For all Suffering] … The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those whose spirits are crushed. (Ps 34.18)
Bless all who are suffering at this time, O God. All who are ill with coronavirus, all who have been bereaved, all who cannot be with the ones they love, all who have been trapped in abusive households during lockdown, all children who rely on school meals and whose education will has set back months. Bless all who are living with chronic physical or mental health conditions, all who are discriminated against and ill-treated because they are not the norm, and all who suffer hardship or violence in any form.
Among them, we name before you …. and in a moment of silence, those who we hold in the secret of our hearts.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
[For the Departed] … Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. (Ps 31.5)
Bless all who have died in this past week, O God. Give rest to their souls, and may they dwell in that eternal light with you, where all is bliss and no more sorrow and death can come.
Among them, we name before you …. and again in a moment of silence, those we hold in our hearts.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. (Ps 90.14)
Merciful God, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
