Prayers April 6th

 Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?  It was worth a year’s wages. ”  He did not say this because he cared about the poor . 


Let us pray


We call upon you our loving God, 

the God of justice and truth, 

to hear our prayers 

offered in the face of a world that can be selfish and greedy.

Where phrases like charity begins at home 

are spoken to deny those in greater need than ourselves. 

Where politicians play the public, 

under the guise of bringing them greater prosperity, 

while amassing greater power and wealth for a chosen few, 

leaving the poor worse off 

and the planet heading for ecological disaster.

We call upon you our loving God 

to move afresh 

and turn our world upside down. 

So that the values of your kingdom 

might direct this and all nations

 into the ways of truth, 

compassion, peace and justice.


Lord in your mercy 

hear our prayers


We pray for the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Sudan 

where the decisions made in other places 

wreak havoc with

bombs, famine and a lack of humanitarian aid. 

We call upon you our loving God 

to move within the hearts of decision makers 

that compassion may win the day, 

and peace finally come with justice.


Lord in your mercy 

hear our prayers


As we call upon you our Loving God for change and healing

stir up within us that knowledge 

that we ourselves are often the answer to our prayers.

Help us then to sit more lightly with what we have, 

so that we might be more willing to share.

Help us to seek to live at peace with those around us 

that we might become peacemakers.

Help us to move beyond the news headlines 

and sound bites that feed our prejudices, 

to a place 

where your gracious Love rules all that we do and say.


Lord in your mercy 

hear our prayers


So we pray for our community here at St Hugh’s 

that we might offer your hospitality of welcome to all. 

That those who are unwell in body mind and spirit 

may receive your touch and receive wholeness in their living. 

We pray 

that as we seek to discern how we might best serve the wider community 

your Holy Spirit might inform our discussions and decision making.


Lord in your mercy 

hear our prayers


We pray that you would direct the right individual 

to come and work with us as a priest. 

That those whose task it is to select 

will be guided by your Holy Spirit in their discernment.


Lord in your mercy 

hear our prayers


We call upon you our loving God, 

the God of justice and peace

come quickly and bring in your Kingdom. Amen.


(c) Mark Goodhand 6th April 2025

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