Prayers of Intercession - Fruit of the Spirit

Pomegranates, Gustave Courbet, 1871

Prayers of Intercession written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 30th June 2022 (Year C, Second Sunday after Trinity) based on the text of Galatians 5.1,13-25

Almighty God,
Guide us by the Spirit to bear the fruit of love through your church.
May we live in faithfulness to your Word; not as slaves to selfish familiarity, but to the newness of life you bring.
Help us to embrace the freedom you have given us, to be the people you made us to be.
We pray for our Bishops, Priests and Deacons; may they guide and train us as we grow in our discipleship.
We ask for your blessing on the newly baptised, confirmed and ordained; that they may relish the sweet taste of fellowship with you.

Lord in thy mercy,
Hear our prayer

Loving God,
Guide us by the Spirit to bear the fruit of peace in the world. 
May we live in the light of your Son, not as slaves to unjust systems but in pursuit of freedom for all.
Help us to find security not in stockpiles of weapons but in your outstretched arms on the cross.
We pray for all in positions of authority and influence in the world; may they do your will.
We ask for your blessing on the people of Ukraine; all those working to bring an end to violence and conflict, damage and decay.

Lord in thy mercy
Hear our prayer

Bountiful God,
Guide us by the Spirit to bear the fruit of generosity in our lives.
May we live as true neighbours, not as slaves to separateness but to solidarity.
Help us to stop naval-gazing - while the make-shift ships of our brothers and sisters capsize around us. 
We pray for all in this City who offer themselves in service of others. For Timothy, Nigel, Edward, Jennette and Philip standing for election as Alderman next week. We give thanks for the dedication and fruitful service of our present Alderman, John and ask for your blessing on him.

Lord in thy mercy
Hear our prayer

Healing God,
Guide us by the Spirit to bear the fruit of gentleness amongst all who are sick and suffering.
We pray especially for Stephen, Melvyn, Margaret, John, William, Shelley, Alexander and his family, Caroline, Francine, Carole, Peter and for Juliet and her family, Adrian, Jennifer and their family, Martin, Sam and Sophia, for Sally, for Tom, for Sarah, Kim and Mark, Jonathan, Anthony, Sue and their family and we ask for God’s blessing on all those who care for them.
In a moment of silence we bring before you those whose names are written on our own hearts, who are in particular need at this time.

Lord in your mercy 

Hear our prayer 

 

Eternal God,
Guide us by the Spirit to bear the fruit of patience as we wait for your coming again.
May we live in the knowledge of the Resurrection life, no longer slaves to death and sin but to one another.
We pray for the faithful departed and ask for your blessing on all who mourn.
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

Image : Pomegranates,Gustave Courbet, 1871