Prayers of Intercession
In today’s readings we are reminded, that it is by God’s infinite grace alone that we are saved and through our faith we will have eternal life in Him. Loving Lord, deepen our faith as we continue on our Lenten Journey. Guide us through the darkness towards your everlasting light.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
For Pope Francis and all modern prophets amongst us—those who whisper their fears and those who shout their protests by bringing challenge, care and concern to the whole of humanity. May they be given the courage they need, especially when faced with opposition, to spread God’s message of love, justice and peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
For the world’s leaders and diplomats, that they will free our world from political corruption, tyranny and injustice. May they hear the needs of the powerless and marginalized and prioritize legislation to help them. May they be willing to enter into negotiations to bring an end to all wars.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
For all humanity, may we respect your Covenant with all living creatures by better stewardship of our air, land, water and resources in our Common Home for our good and for the sustenance of future generations.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
For ourselves, may we have peace in our lives. Renew our spirits and strengthen our faith and bring us through this desert time of Lent.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
On this Mothering Sunday, we thank you Lord for all mothers, for their gifts of loving, caring, nurturing and teaching; for the joys they have shared with us and the pains they have borne for us.
May you Lord, be with those struggling because they have no mothers, near to those who grieve because they have no children, close to those struggling because they are cut off from their children by disappointment, anger or bitterness, comfort those worried for their child’s welfare or safety.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
For those in our community struggling in body, mind or spirit, and everyone on the Prayer Foundation List. Comfort and empower all who live with pain and anxiety: the poor, the homeless, the immigrant, the captive, those struggling with addiction, depression or grief. Lead them to wholeness and give them hope.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer.
For everyone in our cluster parishes who has died, in particular:
Anthony Lawson and Liz Milne.
May Christ welcome them into the fullness of life and joy and may those who mourn them find comfort in God’s unconditional love.
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 - Fifth Sunday of Lent B
John 12: 20-33 If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.
Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. These approached Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and put this request to him, ‘Sir, we should like to see Jesus.’ Philip went to tell Andrew, and Andrew and Philip together went to tell Jesus. Jesus replied to them:
‘Now the hour has come
for the Son of Man to be glorified.
I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.
Now my soul is troubled.
What shall I say:
Father, save me from this hour?
But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour.
Father, glorify your name!’
A voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’
People standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder; others said, ‘It was an angel speaking to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not for my sake that this voice came, but for yours.
‘Now sentence is being passed on this world;
now the prince of this world is to be overthrown.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I shall draw all men to myself.’
By these words he indicated the kind of death he would die.
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)
Life, death, rebirth - it is everywhere in nature... Why would God exclude those he loves?
However, a seed lying in a drawer will always remain a seed. It needs water to swell and burst it; it needs light to grow. How can we better feed the seed of our faith to make it flourish?
- Who or what are some of the "weeds" that are hindering the growth of our faith journey?
- When and in what way have you seen life come from death? *
* All second questions
© The Pastoral Center