Liturgical Prayers for Sunday 28 July 2013.

Liturgical Prayers for Sunday. (28 July 2013.)

Call to Worship:

Psalm 34:1- 3, 8

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

With all my heart I will praise the Lord;

Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad.

Honour the Lord with me!   Celebrate his great name.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him!

Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Prayer of Praise and for the forgiveness of our sins.

Gracious God our Father, creator of light and source of life, who made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord, we worship you!

Lord Jesus Christ, who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by your glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life, we worship you!

Holy Spirit, our Lord and Guide, who by water and the Word made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, we worship you!

Almighty God, source of all wisdom, who knows our needs and our concerns even before we ask and who knows our ignorance - even when we pray earnestly:   Have compassion, because we are weak and heavy laden. We know that we are unworthy and dare not demand anything from you, yet we beseech you to have compassion on our blindness and unwillingness to listen to your commandments, yes to your Word. Forgive us our trespasses for the sake of the imputed worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ.

[The house of my soul, yes my heart, is too small, now, enlarge it that you may enter in.

It is harmful, O repair it, dear Lord!

But who shall cleanse my heart and to whom shall I cry but to you? Cleanse me from my secret iniquities, O Lord, and spare your servant from strange and damaging sins, dear Lord I pray.  St Augustine]

Father, listen to our prayers, for the sake of  our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.    Amen.

Prayers of Intercession:

Adoration

O heavenly Father, who filled our world with beauty:  Open our eyes to be able to see your gracious hand in all your works; that, as we find great joy in all of your creation, we may learn to serve you, our Lord, with delight and thanksgiving, for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

For humanity

Gracious Lord, look with compassion on the whole human family across the globe; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in holy love to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races and peoples may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne.

For Africa

Eternal God of all creation, of all the earth and every continent, and as such also the Lord of Africa!

We add our prayers to those of all your children who are concerned about the needs of this large continent with so much potential, which also suffers so much because of poverty, decease, war and all the consequences of centuries of the vices of those who lorded over us, who oppressed and abused us and our resources:

Hear our prayer that Africa may find rest – for your love, dear God, covers and heals our wounds and restores your joy in our lives!

Bring lasting and sustainable peace to Africa and its entire people, guide all her leaders and bless her children.  Let your Spirit fill us all who live in this, our Motherland, with the Saviour’s love and all the benefits of his gospel!

For my country

Almighty God, who has given us our beloved country as our heritage:   We humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves to be a people who seek your favour and humble ourselves before your Throne of mercy.

Bless our land with honourable industry and jobs, sound learning, and pure conduct, dear Lord, we pray.

Save us from violence, crime, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.    In days of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in trouble, help us to trust in you, our Lord and King.

For the nations of the world

Eternal God, in whose perfect Kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, your Word of life, and no strength is known but the strength of love:  Now fill your people in every city and every country with your Holy Spirit, revive in us the pure life that comes from the faith we received by your grace and mercy, that all peoples may be united under the precious Name of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father.

For the Church

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy, universal church.  Fill her with the truth who is Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, and fill her with peace and love. Where your Church do what is right, make it strong and courageous; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is persecuted, keep, spare, sustain and unite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Saviour.

Dear Lord, in your mercy listen to our prayers, when we ask you to be with.....     and when we pray for...

Enlightenment

And now we pray and humbly ask, almighty Father, that the words which we will hear this Lord’s Day with our outward ears, may, by your grace and the work of your Spirit, be implanted inwardly in our hearts, that your Word may bear the fruit of good living and holiness, to the honour and praise of your Name;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen