For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Ps 22:24
As we complete our time of Lent, with the intensity of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, culminating in the glorious rejoicing of Easter Sunday, we pray that God’s Kingdom will be completed in the world, and that His holy Name will be honoured throughout the earth, beginning, of course, with ourselves.
We pray for the Liverpool Diocese, as we adjust to our new interim bishop, Ruth, asking for God’s blessing on her, and that she will find a genuine welcome amongst loving colleagues. We pray for all deaneries that are undergoing changes to their parishes or are considering them. May they listen well to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.We continue to pray for the process of finding a new Vicar for our parishes. We pray for the Trustees (the church patrons), the PCC representatives and all involved in the process. We pray that God will guide the right person to apply for the post.
We pray for all our young people during the school holidays, and the start of the summer term. Many of our youngsters will be taking GCSE and other exams, and we pray that they will be able to do their best without too much stress and concern, remembering that they are wonderfully loved by God regardless of their academic success. We pray for on-line safety for them, that they will not be touched by bullying or abuse.
And we continue to pray for lasting and enduring peace in the places of conflict in the world, that justice and mercy may be shown in every nation, and exploitation, greed and power-hungriness may be a thing of the past.