Faith & Worship

[ Lent Prayers][Easter Prayers][Lent Bible Study] [ Last Supper sermon ]
[ Easter Prayers ][Ash Wednesday Liturgy] [Maundy Thursday][Lent intercessions]
[Liturgy for Lent 1][Lent 2][Lent 3][Lent 4][Lent 5][Palm Sunday][Easter Day]

 

Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is traditionally marked by fasting, both from food and festivities.

---

Lent Intercession 1

 

The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
(Psalm 145:14)

God of love
hear the cry of those who yearn for love;
fractured families, broken homes
neglected, unwanted, alone.
God of love
ALL: hear our prayer

God of justice
hear the cry of those who yearn for justice;
persecuted and oppressed,
exploited, ill-treated, broken.
God of justice
ALL: hear our prayer

God of peace
hear the cry of those who yearn for peace;
in battle zones and broken states,
frightened, fearful, anxious
God of peace
ALL: hear our prayer

God of healing
hear the cry of those who yearn for healing;
physical and spiritual
hurting, weakened, depressed
God of healing
ALL: hear our prayer

God of mercy
Hear the cry of those who yearn for mercy;
convicted, in need of your Grace,
contrite, humble, bowed down,
God of mercy
ALL: hear our prayer

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
(Psalm 116:1,2)

May you know
The peace of God
The love of God
The justice of God
The healing and mercy of God
This day and all days
Amen

 

---

Lent intercession 2

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
(Psalm 119:105)

Lord, your word which summoned this world into existence, brought order out of chaos and beauty out of the formless, has infused the very air we breathe with the precious perfume of your love. This word is the light by which our journey is illuminated, the light by which we see the beauty of this world, and the light we pass to those who would join us travelling in the joy of your company.

Lord, your love extends to the boundaries of the universe yet is focused on humankind; weak, sinful, helpless, blown this-way-and-that-way individuals who you count as your children, wanting nothing more than to welcome them into your arms, prodigals returning to their Father.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
ALL: And a light for my path.

Lord, your love extends to the boundaries of humankind, to rich and poor, have and have-nots, oppressor and oppressed, thief and victim, for we are all inheritors of a fallen nature and all in need of your forgiveness. We pray for all your children wherever they might be, in their joy and sorrow, fear and loathing, pain and suffering; that your word might comfort, your love heal and restore.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
ALL: And a light for my path.

 

I choose kindness... I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
(Max Lucado)

Lord, your love breaks through, demands to be noticed, exposes that which has been hidden, reveals the truth that has been concealed within the heart. We pray for those who exploit the poor, those whose business is slavery or persecution and those who hold power over life or death. We pray that your word, your love might bring change, and bring light into hearts darkened by sin.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light for my path.

Lord, your love has influence wherever it is shown; a shoulder to lean on, a willing ear to listen, a task performed, a gift given, a selfless act. We pray for politicians and leaders, all those in positions of authority who also walk with in your company. May they show your love and share your word through their actions and service, and may they and those they serve be blessed.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light for my path.

Praise the LORD
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
(Psalm 146:1,2)

---

Lent intercessions 3

 

May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice
(Psalm 141:2)

Lord, you have chosen us and set us aside for service in the places where we live, work and move. You have called us to be lights in dark places, drawing others into your glorious light. You have called us to speak out, proclaiming your love, justice and mercy. You have called us to be neighbours to all people. For this privilege of service we thank you but also ask humbly for your power and strength without which we can do nothing. Fill us, we pray, with your Spirit that we might live and work to your praise and glory.
AMEN

Listen to these words from John R. W. Stott:

“Social responsibility becomes an aspect not of Christian mission only, but also of Christian conversion. It is impossible to be truly converted to God without being thereby converted to our neighbour."

Lord, lead us to our neighbours wherever they might be, that we might share your love for their lives. Our neighbours who surround us where we live, our neighbours who work with us, our neighbours who drink with us, our neighbours who pass us on the street or sit next to us on bus or train. May we be the smile that greets, the reassuring word, the helpful comment, the willing ear, the shoulder to cry on, the gift that blesses their life this day.

Heavenly Father, source of our life and salvation
All: Be the centre of all we are, and the life we lead
Lord Jesus, Light in this dark World, illuminate our hearts and minds
All: Be the centre of all we are, and the life we lead
Holy Spirit, Water of Life, flow through our hearts and into our lives
All: Be the centre of all we are, and the life we lead
Heavenly Father, make our lives fruitful as branches and shoots of the one True Vine
All: Be the centre of all we are, and the life we lead
Jesus Christ, Servant King, may we understand the meaning of service
All: Be the centre of all we are, and the life we lead
Holy Spirit, empower us to be the people we could be
All: Be the centre of all we are, and the life we lead

Let’s spend a moment or two just thinking about who is our neighbour and how we might serve them better in these coming days...

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23,24)

The love of God
The light of Christ
And the power of the Spirit
Control your ever thought and action
This day and all days
Amen

 

---

Lent intercessions 4

 

The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
(Psalm 145:2)

 

God of the blessed
we praise you,
for mercy shown, grace given,
living water, Spirit’s power.
We ask you
for daily strength,
hope for tomorrow,
your word to guide,
strong feet to follow

 

The Psalmist says:
“Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.”
(Psalm 25:4-5)

 

God of the oppressed
we bring to you
the broken ones, forgotten ones,
exploited and abused ones.
Bring freedom and release,
love and compassion
to damaged hearts and souls
(silence)
God of compassion
ALL: Hear our prayer

God of the distressed,
we bring to you
the grieving ones, hurting ones,
suffering and wounded ones.
Bring wholeness and healing
comfort and relief,
to broken bodies and minds
(silence)
God of compassion
ALL: Hear our prayer

God of the dispossessed
we bring to you
the lonely ones, the homeless ones,
thirsty, tired and penniless ones.
Bring hope and sustenance
physical and spiritual food,
to hungry bodies and souls
(silence)
God of compassion
ALL: Hear our prayer

The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
May the peace, love and compassion of the Lord
Be with you now and always
AMEN

 

---

Lent intercessions 5

 

Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
(Psalm 95:6,7)

 

Good Shepherd, within your embrace we are safe and secure. Within your embrace we know that we are precious in your sight. Within your embrace we feel the warmth of family and belonging. Within your embrace we grow and are nurtured together as one flock, the people of your pasture under your loving care and protection.
Come, let us bow down
ALL: Before the LORD our Maker

Good Shepherd, within your embrace we find comfort and healing. We bring to you those who are weak, or struggling with physical, mental or spiritual health. You are the great healer, and we pray for healing of mind and body for those we now name in the silence of our hearts.
Come, let us bow down
ALL: Before the LORD our Maker

Good Shepherd, within your embrace we find justice. We bring to you the brave voices who cry out for freedom, those prepared to stand up and be heard without counting the cost. We pray for those who have been imprisoned or tortured for their race, colour, caste or faith. For all Christians who have taken up the Cross and know its weight and pain.
Come, let us bow down
ALL: Before the LORD our Maker

Good Shepherd, within your embrace we find peace. We bring to you those orphaned, crippled or dispossessed by war, for refugees wandering this earth in search of a home, for all victims of strife and warfare, and for all those who have dedicated their lives for the search for peace and reconciliation.
Come, let us bow down
ALL: Before the LORD our Maker

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
(Psalm 118:1)

 

 

---

See Lent Resource - Bible Study based upon Isaac Watt's hymn 'When I survey the wondrous Cross'

[ Lent Prayers][Easter Prayers][Lent Bible Study] [ Last Supper sermon ]
[ Easter Prayers ][Ash Wednesday Liturgy] [Lent intercessions]
[Liturgy for Lent 1][Lent 2][Lent 3][Lent 4][Lent 5][Palm Sunday][Easter Day]