To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, do not refuse to hear me, for if you are silent to me, I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.

Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to you for help, as I lift up my hands towards your most holy sanctuary. (Ps. 28)

Lord, we give you thanks for all the thousands of saints who have worshipped you here in this Church over the centuries.

And we give thanks for the many hands throughout the world lifted up, in past years, in praise to you – manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil; young, strong hands or hands gnarled with age; blue-collared people, and three-piece suited people, who made great sacrifices to bring their faith to us.

Help us to follow their examples of faith, dedication, worship and love.

For all the saints who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blest.

Heavenly Father, we thank you today for calling us your saints. In spite of our unholy lives you look at us and see Jesus’ perfect life and death covering ours.

Help us, Lord, as we try in our muddled way to follow you – as a saint of old put it:

Take me, Lord, yet leave me alone.
Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.
Give me what I need but leave me free to choose.
Help me work it out my own way, but don’t let me go.
Come unto me, O Lord – I want you there.
Lighten my darkness – but don’t dazzle me.
Help me to see what I need to do and give me strength to do it.

Bless Stephen our bishop, Gaenor our priest and all who have positions of responsibility in our Church.

May all those who confess your name be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Over 400 years ago, Hans Denck wrote:

O my God, how does it happen in this poor old world that thou art so great and yet nobody finds thee, that thou callest so loudly and yet nobody hears thee, that thou art so near and yet nobody feels thee, that thou givest thyself to everybody and yet nobody knows thy name? Men flee from thee and say they cannot find thee; they turn their backs and say they cannot see thee; they stop their ears and say they cannot hear thee.

And, Lord, as we think of our world today, there are so many conflicts going on it is hard to know which ones to mention in our prayers. But we do particularly ask that You will cause the leaders in Israel, Gaza, Iran and the USA to seek peace rather than political advantage.

Protect those who are poor and hungry; move those with plenty to share with those who have little.

Good and gracious Lord, give us eyes to see the needs of those around us,
Give us feet to venture wherever the Spirit leads.
For our mission is to bring your good news to all.

Bless and guide Charles our king; give wisdom to all in authority; and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We commit to you, Lord, all those for whom this day will seem long and hard; for those in hospital or ill at home; for those struggling with despair or depression.

We particularly remember with thanks our own Village Care and our nurses, doctors, and care workers – they help us so much with our health needs.

So we ask, Lord, that you will comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit;

give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Heavenly Father, we commit to you all who have died. And please be with all those who are suffering the loss of loved ones; help them to have the assurance that, however hard the loss, death is but the gateway to eternity with Jesus.

Lord, your love reaches beyond the grave. May those who have gone before us rest in your eternal peace.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and all Christian people to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.