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Listen to or read a short service of Prayer for Thursday 2 July 2020, the Thursday after the Third Sunday of Trinity
Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
God our saviour,
look on this wounded world
in pity and in power;
hold us fast to your promises of peace
won for us by your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Psalm 19.7-10
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever;
the judgements of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold,
sweeter also than honey,
dripping from the honeycomb.
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
And after getting into a boat Jesus crossed the water and came to his own town. And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
Matthew 9.1-8
This is the word of the Lord.
Prayers
Let us pray for the mercy of God, to pardon and to heal all ills in the Church and in the world.
May the Church be always open to those who come. Cleanse her from the pride of claiming sole possession of the power of God. May her ministers be compassionate to both spiritual and physical needs, that the glory of God may be seen in all his works.
We pray for all who work to relieve suffering, who set aside their own interest for the benefit of others. When the problems of the world seem beyond remedy, open new ways through which people may be made whole.
Grant to us concern for sickness and distress, and give us the will to help those around us who are in need. May our community be filled with the spirit of friendship and mutual help.
We pray for the sick, for the disabled and all who cannot help themselves. Bless with skill and compassion those who care for them. Give them faith in the power of God to heal when human hope fails.
Have mercy on the departed who have come through the winding ways of this world, to be brought at last to the feet of Christ. Their infirmities healed and their sins forgiven, may they glorify God in eternal life.
May our prayers be accepted through Christ, who forgives the sins of the world.
Father, give to us, and to all your people,
in times of anxiety, serenity;
in times of hardship, courage;
in times of uncertainty, patience;
and at all times a quiet trust in your wisdom and love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
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 Conclusion
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.