Prayers of Intercession - Servant of All

Jesus washes the disciples feet by Luke Allsbrook, 2017

Prayers of Intercession written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 21 October 2021 (Year B, Trinity 20, Proper 24) based on the text of Hebrews 5.1-10 and Mark 10.35-45

God our Father, Great Teacher, by your Spirit grant to us a true understanding of your Word. 
May this, your Church, be united in humility; acknowledging its weakness whilst serving those in need.
Strengthen the ministry of our Bishops, Priests and Deacons and all who serve others in your name: especially those who are working to redress abuses of power and privilege.
Transform our prayers into works of your love.

Lord in thy mercy,
Hear our prayer. 

Almighty God from whom all power flows, bless all who hold positions of authority and influence on earth.
Send down upon them the grace not to be slaves to personal ambition or precedent but servants to justice and righteousness for all. 
We pray especially for Her Majesty the Queen and all those preparing to attend the United Nations Climate Change conference. 
May your kingdom may come despite everything that seems to fight against it; a kingdom in which the first are last and the last first, where all your people live together in perfect peace and in harmony with your creation. 

Lord in thy mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God our Saviour, set us free from the prison of our fear, so that we may meet you in the face of the stranger in our midst;
bold enough to ask: “What is it you want me to do for you”; wise enough to do what really matters.
We pray for the work of the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London and for the continued support of all the charities and social enterprises at work in this City; that they might seek not only to relieve poverty but address its causes.

Lord in thy mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Loving God, whose Son offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears in his suffering;
hear the cries of all who reach out to you in pain.
Bless all medical professionals and care-givers; those who serve you by bringing healing and comfort to those in need.
We pray especially this day for Tom, Carol, Francine, Sophia, Sarah, Anthony, Melissa, Caroline and Manuelle, Emma, Peter, Jennifer, Adrian and family, Melvyn, Ian, Jim, Nick, Martin and Sam and John;
and for all those whose names are unspoken but written on our hearts. 

Lord in thy mercy 
Hear our prayer 

Eternal God, whose Son, our Great High Priest is the source of salvation for all who obey him;
welcome into your kingdom all your obedient servants who have recently departed this life; including Philip Hoath.
As we await the day when the Son of Man will come again in glory, may we be your faithful servants on earth. 

With St Stephen, St Luke and all the saints, we pray;

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ
Amen

Image: Jesus washes the disciples feet by Luke Allsbrook, 2017