Intercessions based on Mark 10: 17-31 – the rich man
Let us pray for the church and for the world, and let us thank God for his goodness.
Lord, you look at us with love. As we turn to you now in prayer, help us to grow in awareness of your loving presence…
We pray for your church throughout the world, for those who have left everything to follow you, and for those who haven’t; for those who are persecuted, and for those, like us, whose lives remain comfortable. May we and all your people create new communities of homes, friends, families and fields, so that the whole world reflects your kingdom and your life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We thank you for Cotham and St Paul’s, for our members, visitors, volunteers and leaders; for our buildings, and material wealth; for our diverse faith stories, our desire to pray, for all the riches you have given us. We hold up to you the events that will happen here this coming week: this afternoon’s Sing for Bethlehem concert, our daily morning prayer and churchwatching, the Drop In, the ministry team meeting, the Findings writing group, the next edition of Connections and our Charity of the Month – St Mungo’s. As we go about our parish life, may we grow in faith and trust. May we learn to follow more, love more, risk more and give more so that our parish life is aligned with your eternal life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We thank you for your astonishing gifts, for life, for being here, for this beautiful world. We repent of all the ways we make ourselves rich at the expense of your creation. Purify our hearts and the hearts of all your people, make us less greedy for things and for convenience, make us better stewards of your beautiful earth. We’re a long way off, but with you all things are possible. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for all those in authority, especially for those with responsibility for many overwhelmingly difficult situations of the world. May those who bear the burdens of being first, learn the freedom of being last, and the freedom of following you. May they put first your kingdom of justice and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. For those who feel their lives are coming last. For those who wonder where you are. Here today we particularly remember…… and those whose suffering is seen only by you. In the midst of their suffering, may they know your love, may they be met with love by others, may we all find new practical ways to love more. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have died recently….. and in the year’s mind we remember…… We trust them to your love, and your life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The rich man went away sad because he had great wealth. May we, who are also wealthy, go away joyful, loved, and free of attachment to everything but you. With you all things are possible.
Merciful Lord, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.