Prayers for the week commencing Sunday 17th October 2021

Servicing the Bald Hills and nearby Communities

Prayers for the week commencing Sunday 17th October 2021

PRAYER OF APPROACH: –

God our creator, we are made in your image,
create and reshape us anew for your purposes.
God our sustainer, who sent your Son Jesus to be our servant,
by your grace, forgive us where we have hurt your world.
God our guide and inspiration,
open our hearts to receive your wisdom,
inspire and direct us – in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let us pray together

God of community,
you look down from heaven
on your children on earth,
and are overcome with love.
Love that reaches out
to touch even the most faraway soul.

  • God the Father, who made all creation,
    and shares all good gifts with us.
    We adore you.
  • God the Son,
    just as you walked on earth with your friends,
    you are always here with us.
    We adore you.
  • God the Spirit,
    though we don’t see you,
    we know you are deep within our hearts.
    You make sense of our place in your world.
    We adore you. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

In the stillness of our hearts we pray together

Lord, sometimes we have very set ideas about communities.
The ones we belong to. The ones we aspire to. The ones westay away from.

Help us to see as you do: you love every member of every community. We are all one in you.

Forgive us when we look down on others or consider our way alone to
be the right one.

Help us to work together with you for good, putting ourselves aside and others always first. 

You see our hearts as we turn to you to seek forgiveness.


You don’t want us to fight for preference but to grow ever closer to you through pure and simple love.
As we come to you, acknowledging that we don’t always get it right,
you freely and abundantly pardon us.


Thank you, most gracious God. 
Amen.

Assurance of forgiveness

 In the knowledge that we are truly forgiven we can say together

 Despite going our own way and not following you,                                                All
despite our doubts and fears of your presence,
you are there gently leading us,
reaching out your arms of healing and forgiveness.
Thank you, eternal God.
Thank you that you are our rock and our salvation, our strength and our high tower.
Thank you that as we choose to go on this journey with you,
as we make decisions and plans,
you are there, gently leading and guiding,
always present.
Praise you, Lord, for your constant love and faithfulness.
Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE.

Let us come before God with our cares and our concerns.

Almighty God, we pray for the Church, that we may grow into a fuller sharing of new life in Christ with energy and conviction.

We pray for the grace of to bear affliction, that you will strengthen us in the face of trial and hardship so that we may remain faithful disciples each day.

We pray for the grace of detachment, that you will free us from the bonds of our egos and attachment to power and prestige so that we may make service of others our priority

We pray for a deeper identification with Christ, that in times of temptation we may look to Christ who was tempted in every way but who remained faithful to you.

We pray for the grace to surrender pride, that we may honestly appreciate our gifts and weaknesses, and surrender our false sense of self to you who heals all weaknesses.

We pray for all who exercise authority, that they may use their authority with justice and wisdom, to free those who are unjustly restrained, to call for the improvement of opportunities for the needy, and lead others to a life of wholeness and service.

We pray that we may open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, free us from selfish disputes and, instead, inspire us to participate in furthering the life and mission of the Church.

For all who are oppressed, that you will bring refugees and victims of war to safety, help them find shelter, food and medical care, and inspire us to help lift their burdens through our efforts and resources.

We pray for all with mental or emotional illness, that you will grant them strength and peace of mind and soul, guide them to life-giving resources, and help them to live life fully.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will draw people together, discourage the forces of destruction and discouragement and foster a spirit of building up and supporting others.

We pray for all who are caught in human trafficking, that you will free them, heal their wounds, and restore them to their loved ones.

We pray for all who are recovering from storms, floods and other natural disasters, that you will relieve their suffering, ease their fears, and give them strength to move forward.

We pray for a greater awareness of the fragility of earth, that you will help us to be good stewards of the earth and to work to preserve it for future generations.

We pray for all who are ill, that you will suppress the Coronavirus, heal the sick, and strengthen all who are carry for the sick or seeking a cure.

Copyright © 2021. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/ 

(also from Leading Intercessions by Raymond Chapman p81, and Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year B by David Hostetter p198 & 199)

We pray for the peoples of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama.  We pray for the children and youth who are traumatized by violence and are afraid to live in their own lands.  Reassure them of your presence and of the strength that you give to sustain and protect them. 

We pray for an end to gang violence and drug trafficking, the work of Satan and his demons to corrupt interpersonal and social relationships, to disrupt family life and to impede learning and education.  Use the holy spirit to convict the consciences of those who seek to profit by these means, and bring them to a point of repentance and renewal.  Use the holy spirit to encourage them to a lifestyle of building up and contributing to social development rather than one of personal profit through the misery and suffering of others.

We pray for a more just distribution of wealth that enables the millions who have been excluded from earning a just and equitable living to have access to a dignified life and livelihood in these countries. 

We pray for the Certificate IV students currently taking part in their intensive Group Work training session through participation in courses operated by Scripture Union.  Guide them as to how to use the knowledge and skills that they have learnt in the learning sessions, such that they can perceive how this knowledge and these skills can be applied in work situations and relationships.

Please comfort and support the family and friends of Violet, who recently passed away after her long struggle with her brain tumour.  May they be encouraged by her cheerfulness and optimism.  May they share her hope based on her love and trust in you, to be reunited in the future with the ones she loved and who loved her.

We pray for Ian Kerr, that you will bless the time that he is spending teaching RI, so that the message of your love and grace is being presented to the children.

We pray for Kylie Conomos, that you will encourage and guide her as she seeks to be a source of comfort and support for the children, parents and staff at Bald Hills State School.  Help her to be a light to guide others to your love and grace for them.

Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care.  To your glory we pray.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.