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#ACALLFORPRAYERIRELAND# \u2013 SUGGESTIONS PRAYERS AND INTERCESSIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n PALM SUNDAY 5TH APRIL 3-4PM<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We are invited to pray across Ireland from 3-4pm on Palm Sunday 5th April. We are encouraged if able, to kneel down in INTERCESSIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 1. BEREAVEMENT<\/span><\/strong> peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard PAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL.<\/em><\/strong> 4. LEADERS<\/span><\/strong> PAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL<\/em><\/strong> Our Father Prayer aloud. OPTIONAL CLOSING PRAYER<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" #ACALLFORPRAYERIRELAND# \u2013 SUGGESTIONS PRAYERS AND INTERCESSIONS PALM SUNDAY 5TH APRIL 3-4PM We are invited to pray across Ireland from 3-4pm on Palm Sunday 5th April. We are encouraged if able, to kneel down in an act of humility during the last 10minutes of our prayer. The organisers want the heart of this prayer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1243"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1243"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1243\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2038,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1243\/revisions\/2038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stagnesbelfast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nan act of humility during the last 10minutes of our prayer. The organisers want the heart of this prayer time to be when
\nwe all kneel in our homes at 3.50pm.
\nOPENING PRAYER<\/span><\/strong>
\nHeavenly Father in this time of great need, we turn to you.
\nJesus, we call upon your name. Holy Spirit we cry out for
\nyou to come. God who is merciful; Capture our hearts,
\nAwaken your Church, Heal our land.
\n1. PRAYER FOR MERCY<\/span><\/strong>
\nLord Jesus Christ, we cry out to you for mercy. Have mercy
\non us Lord! We cry out to you to protect this land from the
\nspread of the coronavirus. Shield us from this outbreak.
\nGuard our loved ones. Stretch your hedge of protection
\naround our neighbours. Jesus, we turn to you in faith and
\nhope, you are the God who is able.
\nScripture Reflection: Have mercy on me, O God, have
\nmercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the
\nshadow of your wings until the danger passes by. (Psalm
\n57:1)
\n2. PRAYER OF CONFESSION<\/span><\/strong>
\nFather, you are a Holy and righteous God. Today we turn
\nfrom our sin, our self-worship, our self-centredness, and
\nour sense of entitlement. Lord let us consider how our sin
\ngrieves you. Father we repent and turn back to doing the
\nthings that please you; loving you and loving our
\nneighbours. Forgive us where we have put ourselves first,
\nrelied on our own strength, wandered from your ways, and
\nforgotten who you really are.
\nPAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL<\/em><\/span>
\nReflect on the things that you have put before God.
\nConfess them. Bring them before God.
\nScripture Reflection: Be exalted, O God, above the highest
\nheavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. (Psalm
\n57:11)<\/p>\n
\nLord, we pray for those who are grieving at this time. We
\npray that you draw near, that your comfort becomes
\ntangible, that your very presence becomes more and more
\nevident during this loss and pain. You are the God who
\nsees us and we pray that those who are hurting and
\nvulnerable will know that you see them today, that you
\ndraw near and that you are there. Comforter. Lord we
\nname before you those known to us who have lost loved
\nones over this period, not just to coronavirus. We pray for
\nthose we know who are sick and suffering with the virus,
\nwe pray that you strengthen them, return them to full
\nhealth, enable them to get the care that they need and to
\nprotect those loved ones around them.
\nPAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL<\/em><\/span>
\nPray for the people you know by name.
\nResponse: The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about
\nanything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
\nwith thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the<\/p>\n
\nyour hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-
\n7)
\n2. MEDICAL STAFF, CARERS AND ESSENTIAL<\/span><\/strong>
\nSERVICES<\/span><\/strong>
\nWe lift before you all our medical staff and professionals,
\ncarers, community workers and those providing essential
\nservices. We thank you for their commitment and dedication
\nto sacrificially serving others. We pray that your outstretched
\narms will embrace their helping hands on the frontline of this
\npandemic. Comfort and uphold them as they deal with the
\ntraumatic situations they face. Lord give them strength and
\ntenacity in their tiredness. Protect them from infection and
\nguard their families. Father encourage them with your
\ngentleness and give them compassion and grace in how they
\nserve and lead.
\nPAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL<\/em><\/strong>
\nPray by name for your local hospitals, care homes, medical
\ncentres. Remember also essential services including shop
\nworkers, police and fire services, transport services, postal
\nand council workers, etc. Pray by name for anyone you know
\nwho works in these areas.
\nResponse: Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry
\nheavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
\nyou. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at
\nheart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
\neasy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.\u201d (Matthew
\n11: 28-30)
\n3. THE EMPLOYED, UNEMPLOYED AND<\/span><\/strong>
\nUNDEREMPLOYED<\/span><\/strong>
\nHeavenly Father we pray for all those who have lost their
\njobs, been placed on furlough or reduced hours and for all
\nthose in fear of losing their employment. We pray for those
\nwhose businesses and livelihoods are at risk at this
\nunprecedented time. Give them your encouragement today
\ndirectly from your Spirit and also through friends and family.
\nMay your Church rise up to be people who support one
\nanother. We pray for you to strengthen them today. Build
\nthem up in heart and mind with hope and trust and remind
\nthem of your goodness and faithfulness. Even in this time of
\nfearfulness and uncertainty we pray that by your Spirit you
\ncan awaken news dreams for their future. Lift the anxiety of
\nthe unexpected from their minds and give them rest for their
\nsouls we pray.<\/p>\n
\nPray by name for people you know who have lost jobs or are
\nconcerned about their futures.
\nResponse: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed current
\nemployment or livelihood. you. I have called you by name;
\nyou are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be
\nwith you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will
\nnot drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression,
\nyou will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
\n(Isaiah 43:1-2)<\/p>\n
\nWe thank you for our leaders. The women and men who
\nhave to make decisions that directly affect our lives. We
\npray for wisdom, discernment, integrity and a sense of
\ncalm in the decisions they have to make. We pray for those
\nin government, local political leaders, head teachers,
\nbusiness leaders and other institutions. We pray for a
\nsense of unity and collaboration in how they work across
\nstressed systems and structures. We ask for clarity and
\nyour wisdom in how these leaders can help stop the spread
\nof the coronavirus and protect our society. We ask for
\nprovision and release of resources that will help maintain,
\nprotect and sustain our health system. Jesus we ask for
\ncourage where courage is needed and patience where
\npatience is required. We pray that these men and women
\nlead well and are supported and encouraged by the public
\nand your Church.
\nPAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL.<\/strong><\/em>
\nPray for our politicians by name. Pray for the World Health
\nOrganisation. Leaders in virus research. For Police and
\nPublic Body leaders.
\nResponse: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
\ncourageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for
\nthe Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
\n(Joshua 1:9)
\n5. LONELINESS<\/span><\/strong>
\nScripture Reflection: You draw close to us when we draw
\nclose to you. You place the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6).
\nLord, we pray for those who are feeling the effects of
\nisolation more than others. For those whose social activities
\nand access to friendships and fellowship have been taken
\naway from them at this time. Jesus draw close to them
\ntoday we pray. We pray that those who are lonely can
\nreach out to you and call upon your name. We pray that
\nyour loving touch and your presence will meet them in
\ntheir isolation.
\nPAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL<\/em><\/strong>
\nPray for your neighbours who may be lonely at this time.
\nName them in prayer and make a note to reach out to
\nthem in an appropriate way later today.
\nResponse: How precious are your thoughts about me, O
\nGod. They cannot be numbered! I can\u2019t even count them;
\nthey outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up,
\nyou are still with me! (Psalm 139: 17-18)
\n6. FOR THE DEAD<\/span><\/strong>
\nWe pray for all dead especially those who have died as a
\nresult of COVID-19 many God grant them a merciful
\njudgement and eternal rest.<\/p>\n
\nPray for your family members, friends, neighbours and those
\nin your community who have died and whose anniversaries
\noccur at this time.
\nScripture Reflection: Do not be troubled! Trust in God and
\ntrust in me! In my Father\u2019s house there are many rooms;
\notherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a
\nplace for you. (John 14:1-2).
\nOTHER SUGGESTED TOPICS\/<\/span><\/strong>
\n PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR<\/span><\/strong>
\no Refugee Camps and Poorer Nations
\no The homeless and destitute
\no Those under threat, abuse and violence in the home.
\no Fear and Trauma
\no Mental Health
\no World Economies
\no Education \u2013 Teachers \u2013 Home Schooling
\nKNEEL – CALL UPON HIS NAME<\/em><\/strong>
\nScripture Reflection: If my people, who are called by my
\nname, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
\nand turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
\nheaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2
\nChronicles 17:4)
\nFor the last 10 minutes we would like everyone in your house
\nto kneel (if physically possible). Find a comfortable spot.
\nKneel and wait on God and don\u2019t rush praying lots of words,
\nlet the silence settle.
\nPAUSE. WAIT. BE STILL<\/em><\/strong>
\nAfter a few minutes then start to cry out to God. Cry out for
\nmercy. Cry out for forgiveness. Cry out for your need of Him.
\nPray as His Spirit leads you.
\nAt 4pm close with praying the Lord\u2019s Prayer\/<\/p>\n
\nOur Father,
\nwho art in heaven,
\nhallowed be thy name.
\nThy Kingdom come,
\nThy will be done,
\non earth as it is in heaven.
\nGive us this day our daily bread,
\nand forgive us our trespasses,
\nas we forgive those who trespass against us.
\nAnd lead us not into temptation,
\nbut deliver us from evil.
\nAMEN.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMost merciful Father, we offer all these, our heart-felt prayers to you, in the confidence that you are a good and gracious
\nGod. You have invited us to make requests of you according to your will, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. This we
\nhave done today in faith that you will hear our cry. Sovereign Lord, we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord and that you Father,
\nare in ultimate control of this world. \u2018The earth is yours, everything in it, the world, and all who live in it\u2019. Lord of all, would
\nyou at this time demonstrate your rule and reign on the Earth and \u2018let your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it
\nis in heaven.\u2019 We are grateful for governments, medics and all who serve us at this time of crisis. We declare today that \u2018Our
\neyes are towards you.\u2019 We trust in Jesus. Father we thank you for your blessing upon us as the people of this island, and all
\nyour faithfulness to us in our past. Now in this hour of desperate need we say, \u2018Lord, have mercy upon us!\u2019 Through the
\ngreat and loving sacrifice of your Son Jesus and the outworking power and presence of the Holy Spirt, forgive us our sin and
\nheal our land. May we as a people again turn to you because you alone are worthy of our lives! Amen.<\/p>\n