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| The Forgiving Father by Frank Wesley (1923-2002) |
Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 17th September 2020 (Trinity 14/Proper 19) based on the Epistle (Romans 14.1-12) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 18.21-35 with words taken from the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation and the writings of Martin Luther King.
Let us pray for forgiveness in the church and the world; that we may be kind to one another and tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven us.
Lord, forgive us for the divisions in your church. For the times
we are quick to find fault and slow to forgive and when we pass judgement on
those whose who choose to profess their faith in a different way. Forgive us
for the gulf between our practice and our profession - between our doing and
our saying.
We pray for unity in the church throughout the world and for the work of
ecumenical organisations. We ask for your blessing on the ministry of the
church in this city, especially the work of our Archbishop, Justin, our Bishop,
Sarah, Luke our Archdeacon and Katherine our Area Dean. By their guidance may
we learn to reconcile our belief with our lives. To forgive others as Jesus has
forgiven us. Let there be no limit to our forgiveness.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, forgive us for the hatred
which divides nation from nation and race from race. Forgive us for the covetous
desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own. Forgive us for
the greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth.
We pray that those with the responsibility of leadership in the world, this
nation and this city and in our homes and workplaces, may act with mercy, speak
the truth and strive for peace. We pray for the work of the Corporation of
London as it considers how to reconcile its historic sources of wealth and
power with its commitment to racial equality in the present. We ask for your
blessing on for those working to cancel third world debt and pray that all
business in this city strive to act honourably and equitably in their affairs.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, forgive us for our envy of the welfare and happiness of
others. Forgive our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless
and the refugee. Forgive us for the pride which leads us to trust in ourselves
and not in God.
We pray for all in this city who
are burdened by debt or financial worry. We bring before you all those who are
experiencing difficulty in their relationships at home or at work; those
finding it hard to forgive and those finding it hard to seek forgiveness. Lord,
by your grace, grant us the wisdom to find peace within ourselves and with
others, acting always in and through your love and according to your will, not
our own.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, forgive us when we fail to remember those who are sick and
suffering. When we put our own lives ahead of the lives of others.
Lord, bring your comfort and peace especially
to Patrick, Martin and Sam, Sophia and Freddie, Sue, Amelia, Sarah, Liam, Emma
and Michael and to Melvyn, Ian and John and to all those whose names are
written only on our own hearts.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for the faithful departed, who you have received with
mercy and found eternal peace and reconciliation in your kingdom.
In the company of St Stephen and
all the saints, we pray.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ
Amen
Links
The
Coventry Litany of Reconciliation
Corporation
of London Consultation on landmarks linked to slavery and exploitation
The
Forgiving Father – Pathways to God
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