Prayers  -  Sunday 1st May  -  Second Sunday of Easter

As we gather here to share fellowship, to hear the word of God and to break bread in the presence of Jesus, let us pray.

We bring to you, Lord, the Church in all its richness and all its need;  in all its diversity and all its division.  Give us a fresh understanding of what it means to live together in harmony with each other and with you,  May all of us – both clergy and congregation – celebrate the reality of your presence among us, filling us with new life and new hope.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We bring to you, Lord, our town, our nation, our world, our universe.  All the hearts and homes that do not know you.  All the places where there is poverty, famine, war, terrorism, fear or abuse.  All the lives that are in turmoil today because they do not know peace in their hearts and are searching for meaning and fulfilment. 

Lord you long to bless all of your children and have endless gifts ready for all those who call upon you.  Help us to claim these blessings and  live our lives in your presence.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We bring to you, Lord, our homes and families and all the joys and sorrows of our relationships.  We bring the rooms in which we eat, work, relax and sleep and we invite you into them all.

We ask for your blessing on Prince William and Princess Catherine and we thank you for the wonderful day that we all enjoyed and we shared with them in their wedding celebrations.

Bless O Lord all those whose lives have been joined together in marriage.  Help one to support the other through the good and bad times. Comfort those who are lonely because they have lost a husband or wife through death or divorce and help them to look to the future with hope, knowing that you are always with them

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We bring to you, Lord, those whose lives are damaged through illness and we ask for your healing touch on all those who have asked for our prayers, especially .....................  We pray too for all those who are in hospital, in nursing homes, in the hospice and those who are unable to leave their homes.

We bring to you, Lord, those who have died recently, naming before you ...................  We thank you for lives well lived and commend to your sure keeping those who we love but see no more and all those whose anniversaries fall at this time.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Lord, we thank you for walking with us wherever we travel and keep us in your tender care until the day when we walk with you in Heaven.

Merciful Father

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen