Here’s a thoughtful prayer of intercession for the first Sunday in Lent. It was written by Bruce Prewer.
Prayer of Intercession: Lent 1 B
(inspired by Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:9-15, Luke 4:1-13)
Most Holy Friend, your goodness always tests our readiness to receive it, please increase our eagerness for you and enlarge our ability to share your love around.
Gracious God, steer us through times of temptation,
And deliver us from evil.
On this Sunday in Lent we think of those who are being acutely tempted:
tempted to look the other way when wrong is happening in their workplace;
tempted to misuse their gifts for a sordid purpose;
tempted to allow untamed emotions to hold sway;
tempted by the corrupting power of money;
and those tempted to stay in a rut rather than strike out on new paths for Christ Jesus.
Generous God, steer us through times of temptation,
And deliver us from evil.
We pray also for the many who feel pushed and tested almost beyond their endurance;
those in positions of heavy responsibility who feel overloaded to the point of collapse;
or those pressured from all sides by factions in workplace or community;
suffering people–and all who must watch a loved one suffer– who feel they can bear no more; kindly folk whose patience with a difficult friend is now at breaking point;
persecuted Christians whose faith seems stretched beyond their limit;
and the depressed whose inner being endures a misery which no human word can alleviate.
Merciful God, steer us through times of temptation,
And deliver us from evil.
We also pray for those who seem to be in a position of advantage:
the happy, that their happiness may always be used for goodwill and compassion;
the strong, that their energies may be used wisely and gently;
the clever, that they may employ their mental facility for good not evil;
for the rich, that their wealth may be shared for the uplifting of the poor;
for the powerful, that they may use their position as a blessing to humanity;
and those of strong faith, that they may walk humbly and affirm the weaker souls.
Righteous God, steer us through times of temptation,
And deliver us from evil.
And now most Holy Friend, we pray for each other in this church. None of us know the extent of the pressures that some may be under this very day. Look upon us all, read our thoughts and weigh our feelings, and by your utter resourcefulness, “save us in the time of trial and deliver us from all evil.” Through Christ Jesus our Saviour.
Amen!
— written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. Visit that site for many other lectionary-based excellent resources for worship. http://www.bruceprewer.com/
