A warm welcome to
St Cuthbert Church and Home Prayer Group,
whether at Home or in Church.
Our March Prayer Topic is 'Those in Particular Need'
Jesus’ ministry was so often to those at the edge of society but Jesus preached of the need for inclusivity, typically for the poor, and the outcasts.
At Matthew chapter 25 verse 40 Jesus says, 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Shall we commence our Prayer time together with the Lord’s Prayer in the traditional form.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
A general prayer for those in particular need from the Book of Common Prayer.
We humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity. Help us to minister to them thy strength and consolation and so endow us with the grace of your sympathy and compassion that we may bring to them both help and healing. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
A prayer for the unemployed from Reverend Canon Frank Colquhoun (Adapted)
O God who rejoices in both our work and play we remember that your Son Jesus said to His disciples, ‘My Father has worked till now and I work’
We pray for those who, due to no fault of their own, are unable to find employment that leads to fulfilment in their lives. May they not grow despondent or come to regard themselves as useless. Help them to employ their skills and gifts in other directions and a measure of fulfilment in the service of the Church or community until employment comes their way. We ask this in Jesu’s name .AMEN.
A prayer for the victims of violence.
Lord, we commend to your merciful care, those who suffer and those who sorrow as a result of acts of terrorism and other violent acts.
Heal the injured; comfort the bereaved; console the dying .Strengthen those relatives and friends who are shocked and anguished by the victim’s pain and suffering.
Deliver us from evil and lead us all in the ways of justice and peace.
For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
A prayer for those with serious addictions from Reverend Canon Michael Botting.
We rejoice Heavenly Father, in the promise that in your Son Jesus Christ there is perfect freedom.
In His name we pray for those who are subject to the slavery of sin , whether by gaming gambling and betting, excessive drinking, by addiction to drugs, by the misuse of their sexual instincts. Enable them by the power of your Holy Spirit to overcome these sinful compunctions, and in your mercy grant them the liberty you offer them in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
A prayer for those abused as children from Tracey Hansen.
Jesus our brother and friend,
Look with kindness and compassion
On those who are sexually abused.
You see the lost child within
still crying alone in the darkness
where the hidden wounds of childhood
still hurt and make them afraid.
When they feel abandoned give them hope,
When they feel ashamed, give them comfort,
When they feel unloved, give them faith,
When they feel betrayed, give them peace.
In the power of your resurrection
May love triumph over fear,
Light shine in the darkness,
And the long reign of terror be ended. AMEN
A prayer for the homeless from Shelter.(Adapted)
Our Father we hold before you in prayer the many homeless people of our land. We ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and our hearts to their distress and suffering. Though we know that much has been done to secure more and better housing, we also see the continuing tragedy of homelessness. Forgive our indifference to the misery around us, and in your mercy bless and prosper all that is being done at this time to remedy this calamity, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
A prayer for the poor and distressed from the World Council of Christian Churches.
Lord, we remember the millions in our world who must go hungry today,
all those who do not even have the basic necessities of life, and for whom life itself has become a burden.
Out of the depths we cry to you O Lord,
Hear our cry, and listen to our prayer
Lord, we remember all those who because of their caste or class
colour or gender, are exploited or marginalised –
the forces of oppression that trample on people and the unjust
systems which break the spirit of people , and rob them of their
rights and dignity.
Out of the depths we cry to you O Lord,
Hear our cry and listen to our prayer. AMEN
A prayer for those younger people in trouble and distress from Eddie Neale.
Father of purity and light, goodness and love, with whom there are no shades of grey or passing shadows: we bring before you many young people who by accident of birth live often in the shadows; some without a father, some with parents who are mentally ill, some bursting with stifled intelligence, some innocently caught up with a bad gang; those in detention, or those who are slaves to drink or drugs from an early age.
Father of light, allow that great light to shine through each of us on those who walk in darkness; through the light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
A prayer for the persecuted and the persecutor from Amnesty International.
Lord Jesus, you experienced in person torture and death as a prisoner of conscience. You were beaten and flogged, and sentenced to an agonising death, though you had done no wrong.
Be now Lord with prisoners of conscience throughout the world. Be with them in their fear and loneliness, in the agony of physical and mental torture, and in the face of execution and death.
Stretch out your hands in power to break their chains.
Be merciful to the oppressor and the torturer and place a new heart within them.
Forgive all injustice in our lives and transform us into instruments of your peace, for by your wounds we are healed. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN
OUR OWN SILENT PRAYER
Shall we say the Grace.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Thank you for being with us whether at home or in Church and so contributing to our prayers for ‘Those in .particular need.’
Roger.
Church and Home prayer group meetings are usualluy held on the first Wednesday of each month and are advertised on our website and in our church magazine.
After the prayer meeting in church, on alternative Wednesdays. there is a short Holy Communion service which begins at 10.30am and lasts about half an hour. There is no pressure to stay, but you would be most welcome! There is also the added bonus of coffee and fellowship in a local cafe after the Holy Communion service!
We would very warmly welcome your support.
