Here’s a prayer of intercession for the second Sunday of Lent, Year B (March 4, 2012). It was written by Bruce Prewer.
Prayer for Others: Lent 2 B
(inspired by Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4: 13-25)
As we seek God’s blessing on other people,
let each of us in silence verify our own contract
to love friend, neighbour and enemy.
Let us pray.
—brief silence—
.
God our Friend and resourceful Helper, as we call to mind other people in their numerous needs, we pray that you will encompass them with your loving Spirit, and enable your churches to find practical ways of ministering to them.
Somewhere at this moment there are thoughtful, kindly men and women who are staring at prison walls because they dared speak out for truth and justice.
Loving God, give your people the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere today children are whimpering after days of hunger, and their parents can only look on with the pain of a love that feels impotent.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere right now oppressed people are working like slaves for scant rewards while their exploiters are living is luxurious leisure.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere at this hour persecuted Christians are meeting for worship in secret, knowing that sooner or later some one might betray them.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere this morning people are facing major surgery, while others are being told that they have a disease for which there is no remedy.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere this day innocent people are suffering the chaos and brutality of war, homes are ravaged, bodies mutilated, hatreds enlarged.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere at this hour of prayer, some silent members of this congregation, and of other churches in our community, may be secretly facing crises which threaten to overwhelm them.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
Somewhere, near or far away, there are folk caught up in the raw grief of a recent death, so distressed that they wonder how they will ever be able to go on living.
Loving God, give us the faith to counterbalance despair
and the love to outweigh self interest and neglect.
We thank you loving God, that your mercies are never confined to the range of our prayers, nor your servants limited to the ranks of the churches. Please bless the mighty host of those who in many races, classes and creeds who are endeavouring to serve others without thought for their own comfort, profit or safety. Through Christ Jesus our reconciler and healer. Amen!
— written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. http://www.bruceprewer.com/
For more worship resources for March 4, 2012 (the second Sunday of Lent), click on Lent 2 B in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. For more prayer resources on this blog, see the Scriptural Index of Prayers at the upper right side of the page.
