Sermons | drumclamph-group

Heavenly Father in this time of great need, we turn to you.
Jesus, we call upon your name.
Holy Spirit we cry out for you to come.
God who is merciful;
Capture our hearts,
Awaken your Church,
Heal our land.

Prayer for mercy

Lord Jesus Christ, we cry out to you for mercy.
Have mercy on us Lord! We cry out to you
to protect this land from the spread of the
coronavirus. Shield us from this outbreak.
Guard our loved ones. Stretch your hedge of
protection around our neighbours. Jesus, we
turn to you in faith and hope, you are the God
who is able.

Scripture Reflection: Have mercy on me, O God,have mercy!

I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of

your wings until the danger passes by. (Psalm 57:1)

Prayer of Confession

Father, you are a Holy and righteous God. Today
we turn from our sin, our self-worship, our

self-centredness, and our sense of entitlement.
Lord let us consider how our sin grieves you.
Father we repent and turn back to doing the
things that please you; loving you and loving
our neighbours. Forgive us where we have
put ourselves first, relied on our own strength,
wandered from your ways, and forgotten who
you really are.

Pause. Wait. Be Still

Reflect on the things that you have put before
God. Confess them. Bring them before God.

Scripture Reflection: Be exalted, O God, above the
highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the
earth. (Psalm 57:11)

Prayers of Intercession

Lord, we pray for those who are grieving
at this time. We pray that you draw near,
that your comfort becomes tangible, that
your very presence becomes more and
more evident during this loss and pain.
You are the God who sees us and we pray
that those who are hurting and vulnerable
will know that you see them today, that
you draw near and that you are their
Comforter.

Lord we name before you those known
to us who have lost loved ones over this
period, not just to coronavirus. We pray for
those we know who are sick and suffering
with the virus, we pray that you strengthen
them, return them to full health, enable
them to get the care that they need and to
protect those loved ones around them.

Pause. Wait. Be Still

Pray for the people you know by name.

Response: The Lord is near. Do not be anxious
about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7)

We pray for medical staff, carers and essential services

We lift before you all our medical staff and
professionals, carers, community workers
and those providing essential services.
We thank you for their commitment and
dedication to sacrificially serving others.
We pray that your outstretched arms
will embrace their helping hands on
the frontline of this pandemic. Comfort
and uphold them as they deal with the
traumatic situations they face. Lord
give them strength and tenacity in their
tiredness. Protect them from infection and
guard their families. Father encourage
them with your gentleness and give them
compassion and grace in how they serve
and lead.

Pause. Wait. Be Still

We pray for our local hospitals, care
homes, medical centres, essential services

including shop workers, police and fire services,

transport services, postal and council workers.

Heavenly Father we pray for all those
who have lost their jobs, been placed on
furlough or reduced hours and for all those
in fear of losing their employment. We pray
for those whose businesses and livelihoods
are at risk at this unprecedented time. Give
them your encouragement today directly
from your Spirit and also through friends
and family. May your Church rise up to be
people who support one another. We pray
for you to strengthen them today. Build
them up in heart and mind with hope and
trust and remind them of your goodness
and faithfulness. Even in this time of
fearfulness and uncertainty we pray
that by your Spirit you can awaken new
dreams for their future. Lift the anxiety of
the unexpected from their minds and give
them rest for their souls we pray.

Pause. Wait. Be Still

Response: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed

current employment or livelihood. I have called

you by name; you are mine. When you go through

deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through

rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk

through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)
Response: Come to me, all of you who are weary
and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
(Matthew 11: 28-30)

We pray for our leaders

We thank you for our leaders. The women and men

who have to make decisions that directly affect
our lives. We pray for wisdom, discernment, integrity

and a sense of calm in the decisions they have to make.

We pray for those in government, local political leaders,

head teachers, business leaders and other institutions.

We pray for a sense of unity and collaboration in how

they work across stressed systems and structures.

We ask for clarity and your wisdom in how these

leaders can help stop the spread of the coronavirus

and protect our society. We ask for provision and

release of resources that will help maintain, protect

and sustain our health system. Jesus we ask for

courage where courage is needed and patience

where patience is required. We pray that these

men and women lead well and are supported

and encouraged by the public and your Church.

Pause. Wait. Be Still

We pray for the World Health Organisation.

Leaders in virus research.
For Police and Public Body leaders.
Response: Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God

will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
You draw close to us when we draw close
to you. You place the lonely in families
(Psalm 68:6). Lord, we pray for those
who are feeling the effects of isolation
more than others. For those whose social
activities and access to friendships and
fellowship have been taken away from
them at this time. Jesus draw close to them
today we pray. We pray that those who
are lonely can reach out to you and call
upon your name. We pray that your loving
touch and your presence will meet them in
their isolation.

Pause. Wait. Be Still

We pray for our neighbours who may be
lonely at this time. Name them in prayer
and make a note to reach out to them in an
appropriate way later today.

Response: How precious are your thoughts
about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the
grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are
still with me! (Psalm 139: 17-18)

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever,
Amen.

Prayers

Prayer:
God, We thank you for those helping hands
in our lives…our families and our friends.
We ask that you bless them and help us to
encourage them. Jesus, We thank you so
much for those who are on the front lines
- the nurses, doctors, and health workers
who are giving of themselves to help
others. Give them wisdom, courage,
strength, compassion and even joy today.
Jesus, protect them and be their help as
they try to help others.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay
down one’s life for one’s friends.” John
15:13

Prayer:
God, we thank you that Love is greater than
fear. We know that there is a lot to be afraid
of these days, and it can feel HUGE. We thank
you that you are not overwhelmed or afraid
and you give us your courage. Your love is
greater and your love is with us. Jesus, fill
us with your love and give us courage to
cast out all fear.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love
casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

Prayer:
Father God, thank you that even in the
midst of the hard times, there is so much to
be thankful for. Thank you that we can lift
our eyes up above all of the challenges of
today and we can see you and remember
that you hold us in your hands. Thank
you for a new day every day. Thank you
for your peace which is better than we can
understand. Thank you for your goodness.
Thank you for your love. And for the sun
when it shines. And for the rain when it
rains. Thank you that you give us all we need
each day.

Most merciful Father, we offer all these, our

heart-felt prayers to you, in the confidence
that you are a good and gracious God.

You have invited us to make requests of you
according to your will, in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ. This we have done today
in faith that you will hear our cry.

Sovereign Lord, we declare that Jesus Christ

is Lord and that you Father, are in ultimate
control of this world. ‘The earth is yours,

everything in it, the world, and all who live in
it’. Lord of all, would you at this time demonstrate

your rule and reign on the Earth and
‘let your kingdom come, your will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven.’ We are grateful
for governments, medics and all who serve us

at this time of crisis. We declare today
that ‘Our eyes are towards you.’ We trust in Jesus.

Father we thank you for your blessing upon us

as the people of this island, and all
your faithfulness to us in our past. Now in this

hour of desperate need we say, ‘Lord,
have mercy upon us!’ Through the great and

loving sacrifice of your Son Jesus and the
outworking power and presence of the Holy Spirit,

forgive us our sin and heal our land.
May we as a people again turn to you because

you alone are worthy of our lives!
Amen

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…

And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15