Prayers for People Hurting and Distressed

God of the heights and the depths,
we bring to you those driven into the desert,
those suffering with difficult decisions.
May they choose life.

God of the light and darkness,
we bring to you those lost in the mist of drugs and drink,
those dazzled by the use of power.
May they choose life.

God of the wild beast and the ministering angel,
we bring to you those savaged by others’ greed,
those exhausted by caring for others.
May they feel your healing touch.

Christ tempted and triumphant,
we bring ourselves to you,
tired of difficult choices, anxious about the future,
drained by the loss of loved ones.
May we feel your healing touch.

May we feel your healing touch,
know God’s presence in all things,
and receive the crown of life,
through the Holy Spirit of compassion.

Kate Mcllhagga

Our Father, in praying for the unemployed we think especially of those
who through no fault of their own have lost their jobs
and are searching for other work for the sake of their families.
May they not grow despondent or come to regard themselves as useless.
Help them to employ their skills and gifts to other directions
and to find a measure of fulfilment in the service of the church or community
till employment comes their way again.

Frank Colquhoun

Church family, let us pray for God’s guidance through the day.

Make us remember O God that every day is your gift and ought to be used according to your command, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Samuel Johnson (1709–1786)

Lord, you know the fears and anxieties that fill our hearts at what today will bring.
Free us from panic and worry. Anchor our thoughts and minds in your great power and love.
Send us into this day with your peace in our hearts and sure confidence in your fatherly care.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

We pray for all staff in hospitals, care homes and nursing homes who care for and attend to patients.
Grant to us, O God, this day to do whatever duty lies before us
with cheerfulness and sincerity of heart.
Help us in all things fearlessly to do what we know to be right;
save us from hypocrisy and pretence.
Make us truthful, unselfish and strong;
and so bring us to the ending of the day unashamed and with a quiet mind.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

From Prayers for Use in Hospitals

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Daniel Iverson (1890–1977)

Glynne Gordon-Carter