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A large, Perpendicular Gothic church,
serving the
Parish of Thirsk in the Diocese of York
The Benefice of Thirsk
Rector: Revd. Canon Richard Rowling |
St Mary's Church Thirsk: Food for Thought
Intercessions: First Sunday of Lent :
Lord, in this special time of Lent, we ask you to help us find our way through the wilderness. We ask for your strength & protection
So that, though we stumble,
We shall not fall headlong.
Our Church
Guiding Lord,
We know that Lent is a time for reflection & also for action. Help us to use our time wisely.
Help us to use our time & talents for the benefit of others in church & beyond, by listening, giving of ourselves, visiting, comforting others, & using any other talent that we have to offer.
We thank you for the lives, hopes & commitment of all our brothers & sisters in Christ & ask that you help us to see the value we all bring to glorifying your name & proclaiming your love for all humanity through our church.
We pray for the success of our lent events, which offer opportunities for fun & fellowship.
Our world
Merciful God,
As we reflect upon how we might serve you, all over the world there are those for whom life is deeply troubling, where fear & danger are daily challenges & where injustices & violence are the backdrop to everyday life.
We pray that in those areas you walk with those who can change this.
Guide & strengthen those who fear & who experience difficulty.
Inspire us all to seek out ways to transform our world
And to hear your words & behave as you showed us through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Our neighbourhood
In our local area help us to live our lives in ways that show your love to all those we meet.
Help us all to discern the way to behave: knowing that your guiding hand is upon us always, & that you have a plan for us all.
We pray for all churches, church councils & officials in our area.
The sick & departed
Dear God, we think of those in our lives who experience suffering, ill health, isolation & loneliness.
Help those in difficulty feel your love in their hearts, that they may not fear the future.
Comfort & sustain them in their need.
Dear Lord,
You sent your Son to shine as a light in our lives, a light that death cannot extinguish.
We remember those who have died, & our prayers go to those who grieve for their loss. Help them to see your light.
Conclusion
As we look forward & journey through Lent, we pray that you will guide our thoughts & actions & be with us as we reflect upon how we can grow in faith &, through you, serve you & your creation, using our gifts & talents to your glory.
Merciful Father
Accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
| Intercessions for Christ the King by a member of the congregation : Heavenly Father, help us to pray as Jesus taught us, trusting in your everlasting love.
Let us pray for our troubled world, that there may be an end to aggression and violence. We pray for Israel and Gaza, that the ceasefire may hold; for an end to the conflict in Syria and the hostilities in Afghanistan and Africa. We ask for your blessing on all who are trying to bring order and stability to these areas. We ask for healing for all the victims of violence -the wounded and bereaved, the traumatised and the homeless.
Compassionate God, bless all who need your help today. Reach out to the suffering of the world, stay the hand of the violent, dry the tears of the sorrowful and hear the cries of those who long for justice.
We pray for the church in the world. In the light of the recent vote in Synod we ask for an end to the disunity and for growth in love and understanding among all Christians. Give support and encouragement to all who are disheartened and help us to hear your voice in whatever way you speak to us. Help us to trust you. May your kingdom come and your will be done in your church.
We pray for the church in our diocese of York, for Archbishop Sentamu, all clergy and congregations. We ask your blessing on all our clergy, the retired clergy and all the lay workers who give so much of their time and energy in the furtherance of the kingdom.
We ask your blessing on all who are victims of natural disaster, famine and illness, and on those who are trying to help them. In our country we remember especially those who are suffering from the recent storms and those in the rescue services.
We pray for any who are having difficulty because of the economic crisis, especially at this time of the increasing pressure of materialism. We ask your guidance for those in authority and power that they may be an increase of compassion and justice.
We ask your blessing on all who are sick in mind, body or spirit and on all who are called to share in your work of healing. We commend to your loving arms those whom we know who have recently died and pray for your comfort for those who mourn them.
Heavenly Father we pray for all who need our prayers at this time. We pray for any who are worried or anxious or afraid, that we all may know your sustaining love and peace in our hearts.
| CHRISTIAN AID CAMPAIGNS FOR TAX JUSTICE : Recently I visited the red double decker ‘Tax Justice Bus’ outside Northallerton Methodist Church. It was travelling round the country organised by Christian Aid and Church Action against Poverty. Many businesses making big profits in developing countries are putting US$160bn (far more than these countries receive in foreign aid) into tax havens to avoid paying taxes which could be used for education, health and similar projects to improve the lot of the poor.
Christian Aid is asking us to put pressure on our Prime Minister to use his global leadership to end the financial secrecy of these businesses, especially British companies, and bring tax justice to aid the world’s poorest. If you want to join in, visit the Tick for Tax Justice campaign on christianaid.org.uk/tax-bus
Paul Rathbone Thirsk Christian Aid Group
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