Intercessions 20th September 2026 based on the workers in the Vineyard

 Intercessions St Hughs 20th September 2026

Our Gospel reading today Matthew 20:1-16 was about the compassion of the landowner. Concern for the unemployed, for their dignity, their need to feed their families. The Landowner was willing to be personally poorer that they might have enough. So Jesus says here is a sign of the Kingdom for compassion and mercy reflect God’s justice.


Let us pray.

God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

one in perfect community

we believe you brought everything into existence

and everything we have is a gift from you.

Help us to behave like the Landowner

and be willing to be poorer

that others might have enough.

Disturb us until we reflect

your generosity.


Lord in your mercy 

Hear our prayer


Creator God in 

Scripture

and in Jesus

You revealed that we can’t sit on the fence

we have to take sides.

The widow, the orphan, the refugee

the homeless, the child leaving care. 

Unless we speak for them who will? 

In scripture and in Jesus

you challenged us 

to see people as you see them.


So help us to leave behind our prejudices,

our willingness to accept political sound bites 

that brand people as others to be feared

enable us to embrace Your love 

and see you in all people

to accept them.

and help us not to fall into the trap

of wanting to change them 

so they reflect what we think they should be.


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


God of justice 

today we pray for the RNLI

facing abuse on line and threats of violence

by those who seek to divide, 

who use the tactics of fascism 

to create fear.

We pray for those individuals 

who risk their lives to save others

may they never be discouraged

in doing the right thing.

And we pray for the perpetrators of the fear

that they may come to see 

the destructive path they have chosen

and how themselves are manipulated by others

may they repent.


Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


Creator God 

you always see the little ones.

We pray today for the family of Noah

that through their family and friends 

may they be embraced by your compassion

not with trite holy answers

but listening ears 

and allow the anger of why

to be expressed.

that they may come to place of

wholeness and healing.

We give thanks 

for how a community 

came together to help

a sign of your kingdom

may it be hallmark of all communities.



Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer


God of community

you have revealed yourself 

in compassion and mercy

for this is your justice.


May then your church

in its diversity

speak to the world 

in word and action

that your compassion and mercy

becomes the church’s character

even when it costs.


May your church be prepared to become 

poorer that others 

might have enough. 


May we as individuals

within the institution

have the courage to challenge

that which is wrong

and unsafe.


May we bear the hallmark of the Landowner 

going to others first

with compassionate hearts 

 a merciful spirit

that your justice may be done.

Amen.


(c) Mark Goodhand 20th September 2026

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