During the periods of silence, please add your own particular petitions and intercessions in the silence of your hearts.
We pray for the church.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; ♦︎
let all the peoples praise you.
God of all joy, look with mercy on this your family. Grant wisdom to all who minister in your name, compunction to any preaching a false gospel, strength to those who are being persecuted for your sake, and loving and welcoming hearts to us all as we join together on the pilgrimage of faith.
[Pause]
We pray for the church.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our world.
O let the nations rejoice and be glad, ♦︎
for you will judge the peoples righteously and govern the nations upon earth.
Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, ♦︎
and God, our own God, will bless us.
God of all power, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image. May all that unites us prevail over that which divides, all that is just and true over any injustice and falsehood, all that nourishes and heals over that which exploits and destroys, and all that brings peace and reconciliation over violence and fear.
[Pause]
We pray for the world.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are suffering.
May your way be known upon earth, ♦︎
your saving power among all nations.
God of all comfort, look with mercy on all who suffer, in body, mind or spirit. Give them a sense of your presence and surround them with love. Guide the hands of healers and the hearts of aid workers; bless all caregivers and advocates; and watch over all who are dying, and over those who watch and wait with them.
[Pause]
We pray for all who are suffering.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the souls of the departed.
God will bless us, ♦︎
and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
God of all grace, grant your peace to those we love, but are with us no longer. Let light perpetual shine upon them, and may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
[Pause]
We pray for the souls of the departed.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves.
God be gracious to us and bless us ♦︎
and make his face to shine upon us,
God of all, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you. Teach us to wait on you with patience; to hear and live your questions; to seek wholeness in you. Draw each of us to yourself, that we one day come to see you face to face.
[Pause]
We pray for ourselves.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And so
…we gather up and offer our prayers to the one who inspires and answers.
Merciful God, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
-oOo-
Written for the 10am Eucharist at Exeter Cathedral, using verses from Psalm 67 in Common Worship. The other readings set for the Sunday were: Acts 16.9–15, Revelation 21.10,22 – 22.5, John 5.1–9. The reading from Acts and the Gospel were used in the service.
I wanted to introduce long enough periods of silence so that the congregations in person and online had time to reflect and hold the people or issues in God’s presence. So often the intercessor barely gives me time to register what they have suggested, let alone recall my petition, let alone make it.
The Gospel tells the story of the healing by Jesus at the pool of Bethesda [Beth-zatha]. Jesus asks the sick man ‘Do you want to be made well?’ and this is what struck me when I was preparing the intercessions. What is my need? What is Jesus asking me? Note, not necessarily asking of me. How might that affect how I respond to God and lead my life? This led to my petition with echoes of Rilke: Teach us [that is, me] to hear and live your questions.
