Prayers of the People

Lord Christ, who loves us all with equal measure, we bring to your care the children in our world whose souls and bodies have been ravaged by abuse of all kinds;  of malice;  of neglect;  of evil.  We lift these little ones to your protection.  We pray that You will put your hedge around them so that there will never be damage which is beyond healing. We pray that you will begin to knit their souls back together again.  We pray for teachers, friends, neighbours who come into contact with children such as these.  We pray for Agencies whose staff strive to rescue children from harm;  theirs is a difficult task and we ask for wisdom and efficiency for them. Bless adults who have terrible memories of abuse or trauma.  Give them coping mechanisms and healing.  Have mercy on them as they attempt to overlay their bad memories with good ones.

We commit into your care today, those who will contemplate suicide;  those for whom this seems an answer to the pain of their lives.

Bless those with degenerative illness, especially Motor Neuron disease and Cystic Fibrosis.  Bring us closer to knowing the cause and cure of these illnesses.  For those who suffer from Schizophrenia, we pray.  We ask that they will receive very real help and understanding. 

Bless those who are grieving, who are disappointed, disillusioned;  for those who are tempted beyond what they think they can bear. For those unfairly victimized, give your deliverance.

We pray for those who mourn:  for lost loved ones;  for children straying;  for broken relationships;  for personal hurts and disappointments.

The winds of melancholy blow over us all at times and we can’t sense your presence.  We look for signs and miracles and wonder why you are silent in the face of our suffering, and learn at last that the best of your power is your quiet abiding in our hearts,  and the imparting of your beautiful character to us.  You bring good out of bad and remake our suffering, until changed from glory to glory, we are more like you. We still believe you, though we can’t always understand, and it’s this kind of faith which can break down strongholds and summon the angel host.

You use the hardships in our lives to lead us to a deeper abiding in the steadfast strength of your love. You grieve with us when we grieve and you remake the suffering until our souls are bright with the warmth of your flawless and beautiful character and we are strong and happy.

Our heads are full of dreams;  our hands are full of chattels.  Lord, we offer to you the things which are most important to us.  Sometimes they obscure our connection to you.  We cling to their importance.  But the shadow of the cross will always fall on us;  we are your people.  Help us to live with a clear, uncluttered vision of the things which You hold dear. 

We look to Jesus, light of the world, comforter, counsellor, prince of peace, author of love, who cannot lie, who cannot cheat and who will never lead us anywhere which is unsafe for our souls. 

Christ, whose countenance is always kindly turned towards our frailty, give us grace to run bravely the race of faith, to fight steadfastly the good fight; to love all who cross our path.  

Christ, who has promised a harvest of righteousness to those who sow in peace, give us your holy presence today, that we may see our way clearly, without the shadow of ego and willfulness. Amen

 

This prayer is the intellectual property of Susan Starr. Please feel free to use it in Christian ministry, and acknowledge it as my work.