Heavenly Father as we come before we give you thanks for those whose

influence has led us to come to worship in this place this morning. We remember
family members, church leaders, teachers, friends and colleagues who have
encouraged us to follow in the Christian way.

We give thanks for the fellowship which we find in this church which supports us
as we seek to put our faith into practice in our daily lives. Strengthen us, Lord, in
your service, so that we, in our turn, may be an encouragement to others.

We pray for this church and our parish of Langleybury. Keep always before us the
vision of church communities where people of different church backgrounds will
work and worship together harmoniously and where those who seek to know
more about the Christian faith will find a welcome. Lord in your mercy, hear our
prayer.

We pray for the members of church, especially those settling back into school
routines and those heading to university within the next few weeks. We
remember all those whose lives are much more difficult than ours, especially
those who live in poverty and hunger and have no escape from the daily
pressures of their lives, We pray that you may relieve their distress and make
known to us ways in which we can help them. Lord in your mercy, hear our
prayer.

Father we pray for the peoples of the world and their leaders. We pray for all who
offer their services in the leadership of the affairs of the world that they may
uphold what is right for the peace and survival of mankind. We pray particularly
at this time for peace in all countries of the world, where violence, war and
terrorism are taking place. We remember especially today our own armed forces
and we pray for the young lives taken this week on the battlefield in Afghanistan.
We ask you to purify the minds and attitudes of those involved in bringing
violence and terrorism to the world and pray that the world know Christ's peace
without which society loses its direction and ignores a deep desire for all men to
live in unity with each other. We pray for those we know who are working abroad,
and those leading mission work in foreign lands, including David, Sarah,
Rebecca, Ruben, and new baby Hall. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father we pray for those who are sick, especially those whose illness is long term
and demands much patience to bear. We remember before you those who are
lonely and depressed and pray that we may be good listeners when friends and
neighbours need us. Give us the right words to comfort and help us to know what
simple acts of kindness may help someone else. We ask you to strengthen with
your presence those who suffer in body, mind or spirit and give them courage
and hope in their troubles. We think of those we know who are in special need of
our prayers at this time and in a moment of silence we now name them in our
hearts, read pew leaflet list here. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father we remember before you those who have died, read pew leaflet list here,
and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Give strength to all of those who
are left to grieve and help us to share each other's sorrow. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Father God lastly we pray for ourselves, as we go out of your house today and as
we start the week ahead, we pray that in all we do, we may we walk more
closely with you, aware that you are always at our side. Merciful Father, accept
these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.