Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

‘Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.’ (Psalm 147)

Hymn: The King of Love my Shepherd is...

Acts 16:6-12a; 2 Timothy 4:5-17

‘God is love, and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.’ 1 John 4:16

Let us pray: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, you called Luke the physician, whose praise is in the gospel, to be an evangelist and physician of the soul: by the grace of the Spirit and through the wholesome medicine of the gospel, give your Church the same love and power to heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Luke 10:1-9

Please see the message from the minister.

Let us join in prayer, asking for God’s loving presence to be known to everyone:

We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, that people will be drawn together by God’s love.

We pray for the world, for compassion and loving kindness to grow in people’s hearts so that all will flourish, conflict will end, and the healing of the nations will be in evidence.

We pray for our friends, families and neighbours as we continue to share God’s love.

We pray for people who are sick or suffering, and especially those on our hearts and minds today, that they will know God’s healing presence.

We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn.

‘He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.’ (Psalm 147)

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn: Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer...

May the love of our Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts: and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.