Prayers of Intercession - May your Word be fulfilled

James Jankneght, ‘Jesus in the Temple’, 2009

Prayers of Intercession written for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 27th January 2022 (Epiphany 3, Year C) and Holocaust Memorial Day, based on readings from 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a & Luke 4.14-21.

As members of God’s church through the same Spirit, let us pray to Christ, our Lord.

Songs for Suffering - Psalm 44

In Chapter Three of his book “Songs for Suffering : Praying the Psalms in Times of Trouble”, Simon Stocks uses examples from his own experience to illustrate that in any healthy relationship there must exist the ability to voice complaints and concerns. To do so is a way of fully engaging in the relationship.

Whilst it might seem uncomfortable to some, the Psalms show us that this is also the case in our relationship with God; that it is possible (perhaps even healthy?) to complain to God about God, in prayer.