God of resurrection, God of fullness of life,
we give You thanks for Easter hope and promise.
Help us to be patient and wise
but also be the answer to our prayers of hope
by giving hope to others.
May we find in those answers the courage to persevere,
the signs that nothing done in Your name is in vain.
Renew our faith in You and may it blossom in this season of Spring.
Eternal God, be near people of faith
and encourage them as they try to live authentically
in secular or humanist societies.
May those who are seeking meaning in life
find it abundantly through them.
May the gospel take root in our nation once more
and grow into a positive force for change.
We bring our prayers for peacemakers and negotiators,
for all genuinely seeking to bring justice to the ravaged places on this planet.
We pray for those bringing food, water and other vital supplies
for those offering medical care, for those risking their lives to protect others.
Lord God, hear our prayers and bring an end to the violence.
We pray for people who have lost loved ones in war,
who have seen friends and family injured,
who have gone through months or even years of fear or trauma.
Lord God, hear our prayers and bring peace soon where it’s most needed.
We pray for people whose homes are far from peaceful,
for victims of domestic violence, abuse or bullying,
for those who aren’t believed and those afraid to say anything.
Lord God, bring hope to all who live in fear. Bring relief, safety and a fresh start.
We pray for congregations facing new challenges, new names, new identities,
as a result of the presbytery plans.
May they find renewed faith in You, even in these times of crisis
and find ways of being the church that are exciting and life-giving.
For all those on our minds at this time, we pray, especially this week for:
Ruth, Stuart, Margaret, Malcolm,
Robert H, Evelyn, John C’s family, Eleanor,
John N, Ela, James, Emily,
Anthony, Jill, Cath, Henryk
Amy, Andrew, Jo, Peter,
Ron, Bill B, Mary, and Jean…
We pray for them and for other names and places that have entered our heads.
Bring hope, faith, love, and the risen life, to all who need it, Amen.
Leith St Andrew's Parish Church 