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Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
Lord of heaven and earth,
as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,
give us patience and courage never to lose hope,
but always to bring our prayers before you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 107.1-3, 40, 43
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say this,
those he redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
and gathered out of the lands
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
They are diminished and brought low,
through stress of misfortune and sorrow.
Whoever is wise will ponder these things
and consider the loving-kindness of the Lord.
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
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’
Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
Matthew 19.23-30
This is the word of the Lord.
Prayers
Let us pray to God, in whose love and power all things are possible.
Keep your Church holy, free from desire for earthly wealth and glory. Make your preachers powerful to proclaim your saving word. Guide all who confess your name, that they may walk in the way of your commandments.
Have mercy on all whose wealth in this world holds them back from the knowledge of where true riches are found. Inspire the rulers of wealthy nations to feel compassion for those that are poor. In your mercy, do not send the rich empty away.
Bless us, our families and friends, with desire truly to follow you. Shield us from all temptation, in the strength of Jesus Christ who was tempted like us but lived a fully human life on earth without sin.
We pray for those who have heard your call but failed to follow you; for those who have been unable to fulfil their vocations or have lost their first desire. Grant wisdom and love to those who guide others to find the right way.
Grant the inheritance of eternal life to those who have followed you here. Receive them in mercy as they come to your presence, and look upon the image in them of their great High Priest who has passed before them into heaven.
We pray in the name of Christ who has made us inheritors of eternal life.
Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to our prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
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.