Prayers of Intercession
As we start the season of Lent we ask our heavenly Father to equip and inspire our faith communities and our leaders to humbly live by example, showing how God can transform our lives from fear and self preservation to life-giving love.
We pray especially for Pope Francis, that the Lord will protect, inspire and refresh him this Lent.
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
We ask that our Lord speak into the hearts of our leaders that they will seek God’s life giving wisdom in making decisions about the economy, health care and justice. We pray that the voices of the most vulnerable will be heard and decisions made that will give hope and dignity to all.
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
As we start the season of Lent we ask our heavenly Father to equip and inspire our faith communities and our leaders to humbly live by example, showing how God can transform our lives from fear and self preservation to life-giving love. We pray especially for Pope Francis, that the Lord will protect, inspire and refresh him this Lent.
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
As Jesus entered the wilderness, trusting in his Father and in his Word, may we seek to trust In God’s promises when facing our own temptations and difficulties. May we be bearers of hope in a world convulsed by war, degraded environments and poverty. Guide us to make life-giving choices this Lent .
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
We bring before our heavenly Father - the Father of all creation, those who are suffering from the effects of war and conflict; we ask for wisdom and compassion to know how to act to alleviate suffering and how to bring about peace. We remember the conflicts in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon, The Ukraine, in Yemen, in Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, The Congo and Latin America.
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
We bring before our Lord and our Lady those who are unwell in mind, body or spirit, that they and those who care for them will know God’s peace and strength especially as they await surgery or test results. We remember especially those named in the Prayer Foundation.
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
For those in our parishes, communities and families who have passed away recently and those whose anniversaries are at this time, that they will rest in peace in the love of God. We ask that their loved ones be comforted by God’s Holy Spirit. We remember especially Anthony Lawson, Frances Friel and Liz Milne and those named by the Prayer Foundation.
Lord in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
Let us now say together our prayer to be missionary disciples.
Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN
Preparing for next week - Second Sunday of Lent B
Mark 9:2-10 This is my son, the Beloved.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Commentary on the readings
Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see
www.universalis.com.
Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved
Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)
At times we are struck by the care, altruism and generosity of others we meet. It's like a very low setting of what God's love is like for us all. Turn that setting up full volume and the world would be transformed - transfigured by Love as seen by Peter, James & John.
- Recall an experience when someone turned out to be much more than you expected.
- How deeply do you believe that since God is for you, no one can destroy you? *
* All second questions
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