Easter 2 (Year B)

Prayers of Intercession:

In the rich tapestry of life so many aspects of our living are interwoven therefore O God we offer prayer for all of life this day in the name of your Son Christ Jesus.

In the joy & wonder of creation we find beauty & awe; for the diversity of your world we praise you; for the glory of discovery & the ever searching that continues to find new truths about your world we pray this day………….. Lord save us from destroying your planet through greed or thoughtlessness or stupidity. You gave us the earth to live in & love grant to us a sense of reverence for our environment & to all who can direct the resources of this wonderful creation the ability to use them wisely & to harness them for the benefit of all humanity……..

In the experience of family we find security & love; we discover new truths about ourselves; we learn to live in community…….. Lord bless our family, not only those related by birth or blood but the family of the Church, the people who share our common heritage, the brothers & sisters of the world who confess as we do, ‘I believe’ . Bless those also we do not automatically recognise as our family, the one on the outside who never fits in, the blacksheep of whom no one speaks, the one who brought shame or still does because their life style does not conform. For the family of the Church & humanity we ask your love.....

Certainty the curse of our age O God allows folk off the hook. They do not think because the black & the white have not been met; they do not commit themselves because proof is lacking; they do not accept because they cannot see…….. O God if only life was that simple that certainty could be guaranteed but then it isn’t & so we pray for those who are crippled by a lack of certainty, for those who have courage to go out & live fulfilled lives despite that same; for those who have struggled with doubts about something in their life & it has left them exhausted & weak...

Worry & ill health & anxiety bring O God a fear of trust. Unemployment & exploitation & abuse engender mistrust also. …….. God, our father where people are uncertain about the future or about health or about life we pray they might know the comfort of Christ in their living the one who lived with uncertainty all his life that by his inspiration & example they might find the courage & the hope to continue trusting always in your goodness………….

We can so easily give up but in every generation you have given us the example of the saints, ordinary people, who have made life extraordinary grant that we might follow their example & live lives worthy of your trust so that we might live in communion with you in this world & the next thru’ Jesus Christ our Lord in whose words we pray………… Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name………

Thanksgiving:

Heavenly Father we give thanks for the life of the Risen Christ which has so prompted men & women of faith in every generation to live lives of love & peace & service. We give thanks for the countless acts of love which have been done in his name & have enabled others to know your love in their daily living. We thank you that by his power we have been touched by that same love thru’ the goodness of families, friends & strangers. We offer to you, O God, these gifts, tokens of our labour; we offer our gift of praise this day & in the coming week; prayers & songs love & service: may all our gifts we offer to you be acceptable in your sight & worthy of  the love which you have so freely given to us. This we ask in his name who lives & reigns with you the Father & the Son, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Tom Pollock

Sherbrooke-St Gilbert's Home