Prayer of Approach:

Gracious and yet demanding God,

we offer you this time and our focus…

Grant us that knowledge of you

and your will for us,

that we might continue to trust you;

and trust that your will

brings us ever deeper into faithful obedience

which is your way of salvation for us.

We praise you for your incredible acts

on our behalf

effected through Jesus Christ our Lord,

and made known by your Spirit

so that your Kingdom

expands as mysteriously yet inevitably

as a mustard seed grows into a place of refuge for birds,

and as yeast permeates the whole dough

preparing it to become the bread of life…

therefore we pray as our Lord taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

Now and forever,

AMEN

Prayer of Petition:

We come as a people very much aware

of our own fragility

during this time of a resurgence of infected people.

Lord hear us

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray again for all whose bodies that

have been attacked and invaded by this COVID-19 virus.

Grant them your peace and strength,

their medical and personal carers your wisdom and compassion,

their families your hope…

and assurance we all are in your care.

Lord hear us

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

So much of what we have taken for granted is under threat;

getting together in crowds to appreciate music,

or barrack for a sporting team,

or to gather for worship

sitting shoulder to shoulder with other worshippers,

singing with gusto…

grant us new possibilities for community life.

Lord hear us

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for our leaders at state and national levels,

who face awesome decisions,

balancing numerous competing outcomes…

Grant them not only wisdom beyond their experience,

but also a spirit of co-operation.

Lord hear us

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for the millions of people without paid work;

may the rest of us shoulder the cost of providing

shelter, food and clothing…

and the other stuff which is necessary to live

as an appreciated member of society….

Lord hear us

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for the tens of thousands of final year

secondary and tertiary students,

whose employment prospects seem bleak…

Grant us new visions for how we can manage

the economic and social welfare and cohesion of our society.

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

We pray for those dear and near to us

who continue to struggle with serious ill health

and debilitating sickness.

We name …. (say aloud, or in silent though mention these folk)

Grant them your peace and daily strength

Lord hear us

LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

In the name of the Christ who suffered beyond our comprehension,

AMEN