The Second Sunday before Lent

Our written service today offers prayers, music and the readings as we come together in worship this Second Sunday before Lent.

We continue to open our written services with a heartfelt prayer for peace:

A Prayer for Peace

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Opening Hymn

Hymn 401 – Lights abode, celestial Salem

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The Collect

Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Intercessions

To God who welcomes all in love,
let us pray for the good of the church
and the concerns of those in need.

God of time and space, we cry to you for your children – our neighbours – in southern Turkey and northern Syria, following the earthquake that has devastated hundreds of lives. Only they and you know what it is like to experience such trauma in the middle of the night. We give thanks for the aid that is already being given and for the promises of help that have been made by many nations. Comfort, we pray, those who are trapped in collapsed buildings; those who have lost loved ones; those who wait for news and those digging through rubble to save others. Grant the gift of hope so that those caught between life and death know that you are with them and that others are ready to support them as they seek a future that overshadows the experiences of today.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our prayer

We pray for our church, and the churches in our local community asking that there will be a growing desire to get together. We give you thanks for those who come up with fresh ways of making your name known to the wider community. We remember the General Synod, which met this last week and for all those who work so hard to make important and sometimes difficult decisions regarding the everyday running of the Church of England.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our prayer

We thank you for the joy of human love, and for all those among whom we live and work. We pray particularly for loved ones who worry us with their health, or circumstances, or life direction. We pray for those among our friends and families who do not know you, or whose faith has been shaken.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our prayer

We pray for all who bear the burdens of pain, bereavement, worry and depression. We pray for those whose illness stems from anxiety. We pray that they may have an awareness of your presence and an understanding that you are bearing those burdens with them and always working towards their healing and wholeness.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our prayer

Merciful God, through your love and mercy, you turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life. Comfort those who grieve in their sorrow and those who are worried about how they will cope on their own, and reassure them that you will never leave them to carry the burdens of life unaided.

Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our prayer

Everlasting God, we ask you to lead us into the coming week, help us to believe that you are close by us, keep us from making mistakes and help us never to disappoint you through our words and actions.

Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Closing Hymn

Hymn 343 – Breathe on me, breath of God

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Closing Prayers

Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things,
now and for ever.
Amen.

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you, scatter the darkness from before your path, and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.