Loving Lord, as we hear the story of Mary and Martha, we are reminded that what really matters is to be present with you. Mindful of this, we come before you in prayer to rest in your company and listen to your word.
We pray for those who do not recognise the urgency of caring for our common home. We ask that humanity might learn how to safeguard and nurture God’s creation, and we commit to caring for nature and wildlife in whatever way we can in our own neighbourhoods and communities.
We pray for those whose lives and livelihoods are affected by climate change, particularly by the heatwaves we have been experiencing this summer.
We ask the Holy Spirit to be a presence of peace in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, particularly for the people of Gaza and Ukraine, who have suffered for so long. We pray too for those working in dangerous conditions to get aid into Gaza.
We pray for migrants and those leaving their homes to flee from poverty, violence or the effects of climate change. We ask God to be with them in their search for safety and security.
We pray for those leaving school or university; that they might take the next steps with resolve, courage and hope, going out boldly to do God’s work in the world.
We reach out in prayer to anyone distressed, whether in heart, mind, body or spirit. We ask the Holy Spirit to be with them, and we pray for insight, to discern how we can relieve the suffering of those known to us and those we meet.
We take a moment to rest in God’s presence with our own prayers…
Lord God, we sit at your feet and open our hearts to you, in the sure knowledge that you hear our prayers and answer us. Amen.