Sunday prayers 29th June 2025

 In a world that is increasingly polarised, 
and the challenge to discern what is true 
becomes ever more difficult, 
we come before the God of truth 
to lay our prayers offered in hope and love.

God of community
we pray first of all for ourselves 
that in living out our discipleship
we might express a faith 
that does not say we have all the answers
but rather we can point to the one who 
shows the way of living that is required
by being true disciples
revealing Love, kindness, peace 
in the manner of Jesus.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Today especially we pray for Sue
who once again has taken up the 
responsibility of being our church warden
give then to her discernment in leadership,
a joy in her role
and the wisdom not to do too much.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

We pray that as your church in this community
and the church universal 
that we might find a way of living 
in the difficult space 
and difficult times
by not falling into the trap of taking sides
rather to stand where Christ would be found

in the villages of the West Bank asking for peace

the slums of Brazil asking for justice

amongst the migrants asking for a home

in the great parliaments, cabinets and ruling parties
asking for a true sharing of wealth

in the oceans, upon the mountains and in the fields
asking for its proper stewardship 

Where Christ Jesus would be found
what Christ  Jesus would say
what Christ Jesus would do
may we his body express that 
what ever the cost.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

God of community
we acknowledge that you desire
all of creation to be one

we acknowledge that our world
is riven by competing forces
and that we at times collude,
so first we ask for your forgiveness
when we fall into the trap
of labelling people
because they believe differently to us
dress differently to us
vote for different political parties
or don’t vote at all
God of community
Forgive us

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

God of community
when you came in Christ Jesus
you revealed there was a cost
to challenging the world to become one.
Yet you have revealed 
this is the way to freedom.

Christ Jesus you disturbed 
and continues to do so
if we are willing 
through us
and if not 
despite us.

So we pray then 
give to all people of faith
the confidence to disturb 
and a willingness to be disturbed.

When leaders revel 
in their power
the use of weapons of war
when they tell blatant lies 
and dress it up as truth
may we your people 
speak truth to power.

and in the words of the universal prayer for peace

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our lives, our world, our universe.
Peace, peace, peace.

Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Amen.

(c) Mark Goodhand  29th June 2025






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