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John 14:27      ESV
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’.

Gracious God, as we begin the start of Dementia Awareness Week, we pray for all those who lives are affected by Dementia. We pray especially for sufferers who experience the frustration and anxiety of memory loss or the inability to function at their usual capacity. We pray that they will be conscious of Your love and presence with them this day. We pray for the family of sufferers as they seek to support their loved ones in often very difficult and upsetting circumstances. Give them strength and may they too be assured of Your love and presence with them. We pray for all carers and medical professionals that they will be able to use their expertise to support and sustain families. And finally Lord God, we pray for all those engaged in medical research to help us as communities to deal with this illness and to offer support and empathy to everyone affected by it. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Lord God, we lift before You the two families suffering the tragic loss of their beautiful young sons, Jordan and George. We pray for comfort, strength and assurance at this most difficult of times. May they be surrounded and held by Your love and compassion, supporting and sustaining them in the days to come, Amen.

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As we reach the end Christian Aid week, we share in the tea-time prayer.

Amos 5:24
‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’

God of all of life, waiting for the water to boil we confess and lament the rise of temperature that has led to a climate crisis across this beautiful planet. We wait, impatient for change.

Pouring out hot water on loose-leaf or tea bag, into teapot or favourite mug, we pour out our intercessions for a change of heart by politicians to put planet and people first.

Stirring teabag, leaves or sugar we ask that you would stir in us
a passion to take action, to do all we can at this critical hour to take care of our common home and amplify the call for climate justice.

Drinking that first satisfying sip we give thanks for the day when ‘they will hunger no more, and thirst no more’. Infuse us with a strongly brewed vision of your creation healed and restored. Amen

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As we journey through Christian Aid week, we use prayers suggested for us by the charity.

Amos 5:24
‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’

We pray that the planting of trees would become an international priority and nature would be given space to flourish for the good of all creation. We pray for protection for the forests of the Earth and for the end to the burning of the Amazon rainforest. We pray for the vision of creation healed to inspire us all to do what we can to be part of that healing process.
Creator God, from the tree of the garden of Eden, to the tree in the city in Revelation, we thank you for your vision of creation healed. Help us to be Your agents of restoration, tending to the beauty of the Earth, and enabling your healing of the nations. Amen.

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As we journey through Christian Aid week, we use prayers suggested for us by the charity.

Amos 5:24
‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’

We pray that the voices of indigenous communities may be heard and heeded as we learn how to live in harmony with nature. We pray for a rapid and just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We pray for a radical change of heart for politicians. We pray that as a global community we will care for our common home and for people living in poverty, where the right thing is done in the right way.

Spirit of God who hovered over the waters, harness your power in us to live faithfully and in harmony with the rhythms of righteousness, for the restoration of creation and the glory of your name. Amen.

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During this Christian Aid week we will be using prayers suggested for us by the charity.

Amos 5:24
‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’

We ask God to refresh us if we are weary of the suffering in the world. We ask God to replenish us with whatever we need to live faithfully with creation. We ask God to renew our resolve to take action in the face of climate breakdown.

God of all creation, we come, together or apart, longing to meet with You to be refreshed and restored, by the spring of living water, by the source of all life. In Your mercy, meet with us here. Amen.

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Ephesians 5:20
‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’.

Gracious God, as we approach the end of the week, we bring our prayers before You. As we take a moment of quiet, we reflect upon and thank You for Your unfailing presence with us. For the times you have run alongside us, we give thanks. For the times You have taken each slow step with us, we give thanks. For the times You have danced in joy with us, we give thanks, and for the times you have carried us and picked us up when we have struggled, we give thanks. Lord God, we know that You are a God who is with us, who is there waiting to support and sustain us. At all times, whatever the situation, help us to continue to be assured of Your presence and place our trust in You. This weekend we ask for Your blessing upon anyone we are concerned about at this time, family, friends, neighbours, the folks we see in the news who we may never meet yet are in need our Your presence and Your love in their lives. May the power of Your Holy Spirit work through us to transmit love and peace in our world. We bring all our prayers before You in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

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Romans 8:28
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’.

Gracious God, as we come to You on this day of local elections, we thank you for the gift of democracy. We pray for all those who hold positions of power and authority at a local level. We pray that all those elected will serve with integrity and wisdom for the good of all the people in their care. Lord God, in the life of Your Son Jesus, we witnessed leadership rooted in justice, compassion and humility. We realise that there are many difficult issues to address in our communities, as the pandemic has impacted upon our economic and social well-being. And so, may all those entrusted to serve others have the courage to make just decisions, the knowledge to know how to respond in different situations and the vision to build communities where all people can thrive and all voices are heard. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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Philippians 2:1-2
‘Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind.

Gracious God, as Deaf awareness is marked this week, we remember all those who live in a world of silence and give thanks for the Deaf community and their culture. We celebrate the use of sign language and pray that You will support and encourage all those who engage in learning to use it. We pray for all those who teach and support Deaf children and adults and pray that You give them understanding and insight. We pray that we will embrace its use in society and provide those who can interpret and translate it, in order to ensure that our communities are inclusive and welcoming. Lord God, help us to achieve a greater awareness of British sign language and strive to reach out to Deaf people in our communities so that they do not feel alone. We give thanks for the amazing work of hearing dogs for Deaf people who help to combat loneliness. So too, we pray for the work of all medical professionals who strive to support hearing loss. May all those who live in a world of silence feel the power of Your love and Your presence with them today and in the days to come. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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Matthew 5:9
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’.

Romans 14:19
‘So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding’.

Gracious God, as Foreign Ministers of the World’s leading economies meet today for the first time in two years, we lift their conversations before You. At a time when the whole world has been effected by the pandemic, at a time when poorer countries have been left even more vulnerable, we realise the importance of these conversations. And so Lord God, we pray for wisdom, we pray for empathy, respect and understanding between nations and most of all we pray for unity. We pray that the voices of those nations not present will be heard. Creator God, you created a world of diversity and we wish to celebrate that, but the reality is, not all countries are equal economically and we pray that decisions made today will afford equality and justice for all nations. So too, we pray that policies made will be for the good of the health of our planet. We pray, one world, Your world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.