God, who brings new energy out of spent energy
fresh vision out of previous endings,
surprise and challenge out of frustration,
we come to You to seek hope today –
for ourselves, for the churches, for the world.
May we seek not to judge but to set in motion
ways to create a better society.
Holy God of all nations, of all the universe,
we pray for leaders, those with power over others,
power to do right or wrong, to bring peace or war, justice or corruption;
we pray You will guide and help many to make the right choices
and work for a more stable and compassionate world.
We pray for people we come into contact with
and who, perhaps unexpectedly, need us to do a simple good turn,
or who long for a kindly word or gesture,
or who just need a listening ear.
Help us to be good neighbours to those around us.
We pray for people whose needs are great:
those who are hungry or thirsty,
those who have many mouths to feed but little on the table,
those who struggle but begin to feel their struggles are in vain;
bring justice, and bring hope to all who strive to live with integrity and dignity.
We pray for those who teach, in college and school, in church and community,
that You will give them time and energy to fulfil their tasks,
that You will keep them safe from violence and threat;
guide policy makers to prioritise education and resource it properly
and be with all who are given such responsibility in the classrooms and halls.
For all those on our minds at this time, we pray, especially this week for:
Jill, Stuart, Anthony, Amy,
Ron, Evelyn, John C, Eleanor,
John N, Mary, Peter, Emily,
Malcolm, Jean, Ruth,
James, Margaret, Andrew,
Bill B, Ela, Cath, and Robert H…
Compassionate God, we come to You in trust and hope.
Be near all we pray for and be with us
as we seek to be Your disciples during this season of Lent.
Amen.
Leith St Andrew's Parish Church 