Intercessions St. Peter’s Patronal Festival 22 June 2014
We give thanks and praise for St. Peter, the rock on whom the Church was founded and our patron saint. We ask for St. Peter’s prayers and to be inspired by his example, that we too, intensely human and fallible, easily getting things wrong, so often denying Jesus in our thoughts, words and deeds, might nevertheless persevere and finally see our patron opening wide for us the gate of heaven.
We also give thanks for this our church, for all who have found healing and peace here, for all who have found new hope and forgiveness, for all who have bowed before you in love and worship. May all who come here find this a holy place, a presence-filled place, a place of renewal, of refreshment and of service.
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us
Loving God we pray for those with positions of responsibility for our Bishops Richard and Paul and within this church, for Father Michael, Revd Sue, and Rosalyn, for our servers, church wardens, those who lead the Heaven at 11 worship and all those who work in the background to make this a holy place. We also remember all of those to be ordained at this Petertide, particularly Janet. We ask that they may find resources of faith to equip them for their tasks, that they may fulfil their calling eagerly, conscientiously and with imagination.
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us
God of love, guide communities which are growing in fellowship and understanding. Direct all who are seeking to build up community life. We pray for DayBreak, Manna, Messy Church and for all of our local community leaders. We seek your blessing on this country and on your world. We pray for the people of Syria and Iraq and for an end to the conflict and suffering. Father strengthen our bonds of love and help us to seek peace and understanding.
Lord Hear us
Lord graciously hear us
Lord, you forgave and restored Peter, who denied he ever knew you; you forgave and restored your friends who fled away when you most needed them. Save us from the sin of Judas, of thinking that our thoughts and actions, however bad, are too terrible for your forgiveness. All that can keep us from your forgiveness is unrepentance or pride - save us from both, and purify us in your love, which throws light on our misdeeds so that we can see ourselves as we truly are, but then burns them up so that we may start forgiven and afresh in your footsteps.
Lord Hear us
Lord graciously hear us
We pray for all who have suffered hardship or trauma this week, for those injured in accidents or taken suddenly ill. We pray for all with the gifts of healing for all who anoint the sick. We remember all those from the three churches listed on our weekly sheet.
Lord Hear us
Lord graciously hear us
Lord, give life to our loved ones departed, give them joy and peace in your eternal kingdom. We remember all those who have died this week whether they lived their life in the spotlight or in quiet anonymity, we remember that they were all someone’s parent, someone’s child, someone’s sibling or someone’s partner, we pray for the departed ...... and the bereaved...... and those whose anniversary of death falls at this time ......
Lord Hear us
Lord graciously hear us
Heavenly Father, my life is full of continual weaknesses, and I am like sand - changeable and shifting, wanting to be a strong rock but washed away by the smallest wave. Thank you for loving me and having a use for me despite all this : Please help me to hang on to you whenever I am sinking so that, through the pressures of life and the passage of time, you can turn me from sand to rock, and use me as your faithful soldier and servant.
Merciful Father