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... and now let us pray for God's family, the World, and ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.

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​Let us pray aloud, and together:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Holy God, as we gather in prayer, in the presence of the Risen Christ, walk with us as individuals and as our faith community on our own Road to Emmaus.  Open our eyes, as you did with Jesus' companions, to the reality and truth of the resurrection.

 

<longer silence for personal reflection>

 

We pray for all who seek to walk with the Risen Christ as they bring a light to those in darkness and words of love to those in need of comfort.

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<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

   

Creator God Your Son walked the roads and tracks of the Holy Land and taught us to seek Your hand in the beauty and wonders of earth and sea and the sky. We so often see too much of the evidence of poor stewardship in our surroundings and it is easy to forget that the world belongs to You. Help us to recognise Your presence in our modern world, and help us to use more wisely the resources of the earth.

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<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

 

Lord, in this world which often seems filled with antagonism, division, mistrust and hatred - we pray for world peace in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We pray for countries, and particularly their elected leaders, to find diplomatic solutions that will bring harmony between nations.

We pray for wars to end.

We give thanks for Your promise that one day there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Until that day, we pray for your continued grace and goodness to overflow in this world so that humans can live alongside one another respectfully, allowing for mutual flourishing. 

 

<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

 

Father God we thank you for the gift of Your Son, our Saviour, who walks with us on our life’s journey. We pray for all who travel with us in our family, among our friends and within our community. We pray for a deepening awareness of our need for one another and of Your image in the hearts of everyone we meet.

 

<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

 

Loving God, send Your Son to walk with those we know who are going through a time of suffering and pain. Help us to always be aware of one another's needs and to respond accordingly and assist them with words and deeds on to the road of recovery. 

 

Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.

 

We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.

 

<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

 

Merciful God accompany those travelling, through the valley of death and may our love and prayers support those who walk that journey today.

 

We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed sisters and brothers, Mary (England), Mary-Kate (USA), Graeme (NZ), Bill (UK), Bradley (USA).

 

We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.

 

<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

 

In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.

 

Make us worthy of the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.

 

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

 

Faithful God as we go from this time of prayer, we thank you for walking alongside us wherever we travel and, if like those first disciples, we fail to be aware of You forgive us for our human weakness and open our eyes to see You as a  constant companion and friend.
 

(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer

 

Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.

 

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