Thanksgiving and intercession prayer 6 March 2022

Lord God

Heavenly Father

to you be all praise

thanksgiving

gratitude

for all you offer us

this place where we can worship

the lengthening of days

blue skies and clean, gushing water

friends with whom we can laugh, play, cry

who support us through bad times and good

those who message or phone to offer thanks and encouragement

in the small and big things we do in our daily journey with you

Journeying One

as we begin our Lenten pilgrimage

led us as you will

assist us to prepare our hearts and minds

to be more reflective of the Way of Christ

we thank you, in his humanity

he knows temptation

understands its allure

understands how hard it can be to resist

in these times of great uncertainty

for your church in Scotland

and for your world

we thank you that through the spirit we are assisted to resist temptation

fill us more with that power, this Lent, we pray

As we bring our thanks, it is right and proper we bring our concerns for the world, for ourselves, for our communities before the throne of grace

for those who wage war, because of the temptation of power

we pray

Lord in your mercy, we pray

for those who broker for peace

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

for countries who open their borders to refuges

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

for those taking food, clothing, medicine to those in need

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

for those holding the hands of the dying

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

for those who are taken in by fake news and half truths

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

for those who are tempted, through addiction

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

for those who support addicts

we pray

Lord, in your mercy, we pray

And Lord, in the quietness of this place

we pause

to bring the people, places and situations which are in our hearts and minds, but for which we cannot find the word

[pause]

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers

spoken and unspoken

offered through Christ Jesus

Amen