Writing our own intercessions – one pattern

• We ask all present to pray e.g.
  • Let us pray for the Church, for the world and for all people according to their needs.
• Prayer for ourselves
  • Heavenly Father, we thank you for [maybe what we have learnt from the sermon / theme for the day]. May we and all Christians ....[put into practice what we have learnt e.g. love our neighbour as ourselves in our relationships with one another].
  • Here we can pray for all in the Anglican and Diocesan Cycle of prayer e.g. within our cycle of prayer we pray for…...
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer
• Prayer for Christian leaders
  • Strengthen John our Bishop and all Christian ministers [we can pray for the local clergy and Readers here].  May they [again put into practice the theme of the day, maybe with emphasis on leadership].
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer
• Prayer for our world
  • Give wisdom and a desire for peace to all our world’s leaders.  We remember before you...[any situation in the news e.g. war natural disaster et]
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer
• Prayer for our community
  • Give grace to us, our families, friends and neighbours, may we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us. [We can pray here for all leaders within our community e.g. business, local political leaders, community workers and so on as well as praying for ourselves….]
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer
• Prayer for those who suffer
  • Comfort and heal those who [suffer or who are ill etc]  We pray for... and anyone else who is in our thoughts and prayers. [silence for congregation to pray own prayer]...
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer
• Prayer for those who have died
  • Hear us as we remember those who have died including... [you may name here people who have died recently, according to the tradition of the Church and include silence]  and our own loved ones... Grant us with them everlasting light and peace
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer
• Some silence for our own prayers?
  • Finally, in the silence, we bring before you our own needs and concerns… [announce the silence and leave a longer gap than you think is necessary!]
  • Lord in your mercy
    Hear our prayer.
• In the communion of (Blessed Virgin Mary, local saints) and all the saints we commend ourselves and one another and all our life to You.
• Merciful Father
  accept these prayers
  for the sake of your Son
  our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.