Evening Prayer Sunday, 7 June 2020
Heavenly Father, hear us as we pray to you at close of day on this Trinity Sunday.
God in three persons, blessed Trinity,
on this special day we offer our praise and adoration.
You are GOD, the Creator, giving us richly all things to enjoy.
You are CHRIST, the Saviour of the world, made flesh to set us free.
You are the SPIRIT of TRUTH and LOVE, willing to dwell in us.
You are Holy and Blessed.
One God, Eternal Trinity,
be with us this night and be close to our world.
Your love brings light and life.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God in three persons, Blessed Trinity,
we pray for our world as it reels in anger and rage,
following the brutal death of George Floyd.
May this unspeakable crime highlight the need
for all of us to respond in learning, prayer and action
to the scourge of racial injustice in our societies.
Our commitment to finding a just solution
is embedded in our identity as followers of Jesus Christ,
in whom we are all one.
May our leaders be urged to speak the language of healing and reconciliation,
and may all protests be measured, lawful and powerful in their peacefulness.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God in three persons, Blessed Trinity,
we pray for those parts of the world suffering the severest effects of Coronavirus,
especially Brazil, Peru, Spain, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom.
We pray for the thousands of people across the globe
who are in grief because of the loss of loved ones,
those who were unable to attend the funeral of those close to them,
those who have been left alone,
and those who face a difficult and uncertain future.
Lord, bring them the comfort of your love and healing touch,
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God in three persons, Blessed Trinity,
we thank you for the many opportunities
which lockdown restrictions have brought us –
a pause from the regular routines of life,
a chance to read, reflect, savour the wonders of nature,
enjoy telephone/Facetime conversations with friends and family,
devote more time to the garden,
even de-clutter the house!
We pray especially for those for whom lockdown
has been a difficult and challenging time –
those who are lonely and isolated,
those who are experiencing mental health problems,
those caring for loved ones who are terminally ill,
and those who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships.
Father, be with them in their time of trouble
and embrace them with your love and care.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God in three persons, Blessed Trinity,
we remember all who bear the responsibilities of leadership at this time –
heads of state, politicians, scientific advisers and others –
as lockdown eases and people begin to return slowly to a ‘new normality’.
Let your will for the world be accomplished through the decisions they make,
and give them a vision of a better life for all.
We thank you for the skills of researchers and scientists
who are working tirelessly to discover a vaccine,
so that young and old may once again feel safe and secure.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Finally, Father, we rejoice at the news that churches will re-open for private prayer on 15 June,
that people may be able to visit us once again
and find peace and comfort, healing and strength in the beauty of our building,
freshly restored by the efforts of Simon, Woody and their team.
We long for the day when we can all meet together again in worship,
to sing, pray, share the Eucharist, shake hands, embrace,
and enjoy the love and fellowship of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
