This Easter morning Let us pray for the Church and for the world. And let us thank God for his goodness
Dear Lord our heavenly father, we thank you for the truth of the resurrection
That in you there is a light that no darkness can extinguish
A hope that cannot be diminished
And a love even stronger than death
In your grace walk along side us Lord
And may your resurrection life power to shape our lives and prayers
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We commit to you all those who have been affected by horrific acts of war and terror
For those living in constant fear and uncertainty
We remember too all those suffering from the injustices of poverty and oppression
And all those who have been forced to flee their homes
We particularly remember the volatile situation between Israel and Palestine on the border of the Gaza strip.
We remember our charity of the month Borderlands Bristol as it works with people seeking asylum in the UK or who have become refugees from other countries.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
You show us your wounded hands, so we may reach out to mend the broken;
you show us your wounded feet, so we may walk with those the world passes by;
you show us your face, so we may know what our sisters and brothers look like.
Risen Christ: touch us with your compassion.
And move us to be answers to our own prayers
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We commit to you our church and St Pauls at this vacancy time and thank you that we have a new incumbent joining us soon. We ask that through this person both Churches shall be able to flourish together and be able to reach out to organisations and peoples within and beyond our parishes.
We also thank you that a new bishop has been appointed for the diocese and ask that as Bishop he or she will support all traditions of your church and its five marks of mission and be a strong force for good in Bristol and the wider world.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Forgive us when we behave like dead people, and stay in the darkness of our tombs rather than come out into the morning light of your resurrection
As we prayed earlier, When like mary at the empty tomb we fail to grasp the wonder of your presence
When like the disciples behind locked doors we are afraid to be seen as your followers
When like Thomas in the upper room we are slow to believe
Help us to love and give without fear
Be with us this week ahead and help us to live the resurrection life
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
With these words we pray for ourselves and others that we know, some others known only to you
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, We think particularly of:
XXX
Give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your salvation
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
On this Resurrection morning let us pray that those who have died may rest in peace and share in the Risen glory of Christ.
We particularly remember the many who have died tragically in wars around the world, at the hands of terrorists, and those who have taken their own lives. As Jesus wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus we also commit to you all those who mourn for them
We think at this time particularly of: XXXX
In the year’s mind we also commit to you XXXX
And all those whose anniversary falls at this time
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
May God in his infinite love and mercy bring the whole church
Living and departed in the Lord Jesus, the first-born of the dead
To a joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of his eternal kingdom
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, Our saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Prayers by John Bean