‘Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer us, for we are poor and needy. Preserve our life, for we are devoted to you; save your servants who trust in you. You are our God; be gracious to us, O Lord, for to you do we cry all day long. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to our prayers; give ear to our cries of supplication. In the day of our trouble we will call on you, for you will answer us.’ (Psalm 86 ed)

You are the God who surprised the world by showing yourself as a baby. And as well as angels calling Jewish shepherds to worship you, you put a star in the sky to guide Gentile magi, so that they could also worship you.

Because of this Simeon and Anna could both say that this child is ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles’ and ‘the glory of God’s people, Israel’. And 2000 years later we rejoice, with the shepherds, with the wise men, with Mary and Joseph, and with the angels, that this is still true of you, Lord.

So we pray for the world-wide Church praising your name in a thousand different languages and styles. We especially pray for Churches in regions where any religious faith is suppressed or where Christianity is seen as an unwelcome minority. Give courage and faith to all who hold the name of Jesus central to their lives.
Lord, help our Church body here in Marnhull to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. May we walk humbly with You, allowing You to show us our wrongs, and Your way.

Strengthen Stephen our bishop, Gaenor and Angus our priests, and all your Church in the service of Christ; that those who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for a world seemingly forever caught up in violence and conflict. As we pray for peace in the hearts of all those involved, and we pray especially for the people of Gaza, of Israel, of Syria, of Ukraine, and of Russia.

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. We pray that your transforming light will drive out darkness and fear and bring hope to the lives of those who do not know your presence with them.

We pray for the many places in our world where the ambitions and desires of the leaders are set against your plan for the world. We pray that your light will penetrate those dark places.

March we forth in the strength of God,
His banner is unfurled;
Let the light of the gospel shine
In the darkness of the world:
Strengthen the weary, heal the sick
And set every captive free,
That the world shall be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

Bless and guide Charles our king; give wisdom to our government and 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 pray for those in need in our own community: the elderly, the housebound, and those in care homes, hospitals and hospices. Let us, in a moment of silence, remember those known to us personally.

Lord, help us to do our part in creating a society where both young and old, gifted and less able, feel valued and proud to be a part. We particularly pray for those who are left out, either because they are too shy to ask for help or because they have been overlooked.

We pray for those who have a leadership role in the community, that their leadership may be inspired by you.

Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours; that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Help us all to remember:

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice,
Which is more than liberty.
There’s no place where earth’s sorrows
Are more felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings
Have such kindly judgement given.

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

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