Lord, the people of Nazareth thought that they knew everything about you and yet they didn’t believe in you. We come to you today with our prayers, conscious that we need you more than we could ever fully appreciate.
We pray for all religious leaders as they work to support the faith of the people you call them to serve. Strengthen their own faith and make them good shepherds of your flock.
We pray for our new Government and Parliamentarians as they begin to put into practise the many promises they made during the election campaign. Give them the wisdom and insight that will make them effective servants of your people.
We pray for all those involved in local, national and international governance. May they work for peace and understanding between people, regardless of their social status.
We pray for the people of the Caribbean who were struck by Hurricane Beryl and who are starting to rebuild their homes and their lives. Give them the courage and the support that they will need at this time. Be close to them.
We pray for families as they begin the school holidays. May they grow closer in love for each other and for the people around them.
We pray for those who are making big changes in their lives. Watch over them, protect them and bless them in their decision making.
Loving Lord, we give you ourselves and everybody we know and love. Fill our world and its peoples with the hope and compassion which make life worth living. Amen.