This week we are asked to pray:
Prayers for the week Thank you to Alun for this week’s prayers. Lord, we thank you for the churches of this benefice, for the faith that has blossomed here, for the worship that is offered, for lives that have been touched and for the commitment that has been encouraged and strengthened. We thank you for the ministry team that lead our worship. Grant them wisdom and maturity of faith; may they be confident of your grace as they boldly proclaim the truth of your Word. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer God of mercy and of peace, we bring before you the peoples of so many countries of the world where there is conflict. Be living bread to those who are hungry each day. Be healing and wholeness to those who have little or no access to health care. Be their true home to all who have been forced to become refugees. Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who live in fear because of their ethnicity, religious or political views. Be peace to those engaged in armed fighting and those who live within its shadows. Strengthen our hearts to stand with your suffering people and hold us all in your unfailing love. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer God of love, giver of life and health, we pray for all who in various callings serve the needs of men, women and children in sickness of body or mind. Equip them as your fellow workers in the ministry of healing; strengthen them to share in the task of making life whole again. We pray for those we know to be currently unwell. May they receive comfort and hope, and if it be your will, recovery of health. We remember the recently bereaved; may they be lifted from the darkness of grief to the light of your presence. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer May the love, joy and peace of the Advent season be ours. May we embody, express and experience all its blessings. May God’s promise, faithfulness and love sustain and inspire us as we seek to live in the Jesus way. May we be on the lookout for ways to share this with others, especially those who find themselves the margins. And may this year’s journey to the Saviour’s birth be eventful, exciting, thought-provoking, reflective, hope-filled and precious. Finally, Lord, we ask your blessing on the Ecumenical Advent Groups as they start their meetings in the week ahead. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.