Here’s a thoughtful prayer of intercession for February 12, 2012 (Epiphany 6B). It was written by Rev. Fraser Macnaughton of St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.
The prayer includes a time of silence, during which people are invited to bring their own concerns before God. Rev. Macnaughton writes: “Often in our services we rush this kind of silence, which for many can be the most helpful part of worship. Extending it to four or even five minutes can make a real difference for people in their prayer lives. If you do wish to extend it, perhaps tell people before the prayer begins that a longer period of quiet will be used and that in this silence they will be invited to simply talk to God.”
Prayer of Concern
(inspired by Mark 1:40-45)
We pray for the Christian community.
May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,
help us to live unselfishly and focus on serving others
in the wider community:
We pray for all social outcasts.
May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,
inspire us to regard everyone as a possible neighbour.
Sung response (see below)
We pray for those suffering in mind and spirit.
May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,
help us to care for them with dedication and good humour.
For those excluded from society:
the poor, the refugees, the handicapped.
May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,
help us to love them and come to their aid,
just as Jesus.
Sung response
Let us pray, in the silence of our hearts,
for our own personal intentions:
(pause in silent prayer….)
Sung response
God who saves, Your Son can restore the outcast,
have mercy on us.
Stretch out Your hand over us and touch us
and we will be saved. Amen.
Note: Rev. Macnaughton suggests using the refrain of the Maillaig Sprinkling Song.
Jesus is living, Jesus is here.
Jesus my Lord, come closer to me.
Jesus our Saviour, dying for me,
and rising to save his people.
~ written by the Rev. Fraser Macnaughton, St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s excellent Starters for Sunday website.
