Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
Lord of the hosts of heaven,
our salvation and our strength,
without you we are lost:
guard us from all that harms
and raise is when we fall;
though Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 106.3, 35-41
Blessed are those who observe what is right
and always do what is just.
They mingled with the nations
and learned to follow their ways,
So that they worshipped their idols,
which became to them a snare.
Their own sons and daughters
they sacrificed to evil spirits.
They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
Which they offered to the idols of Canaan,
and the land was defiled with blood.
Thus were they polluted by their actions,
and in their wanton deeds went whoring after other gods.
Therefore was the wrath of the Lord
kindled against his people,
and he abhorred his inheritance.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Reading
Mark 7.24-30
Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Prayers of intercession
Let us pray to God whose love embraces all that he has made.
Grant to your whole Church grace to show true faith through works of love and mercy. Take away all prejudice that causes unequal treatment. May the places where your name is honoured be always open and welcoming to all who come.
Have compassion on a world where rich and poor are separated by selfishness and lack of understanding. Inspire those who are rich in this world’s goods to respond to the necessity of individuals and nations. Bless all who work for the relief of poverty.
May we, our families and friends, be sensitive to discern the needs in our community and generous to relieve them.
We pray for the sick, especially for sick children and those who grieve for them. Have mercy on all who are afflicted, and restore them to full power.
We remember the departed, made perfect in your love. Grant that those whose hearts were hard may be pardoned through the saving mercy of Christ.
That we may be worthy to receive the true bread, we pray in the name of Christ.
Prayer for the week
Lord Christ,
shine upon all who are in the darkness of suffering or grief;
that in your light they may receive hope and courage,
and in your presence may find their rest and peace;
for your love’s sake.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
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