Lord God, we rejoice in you and in recognising that you love us so much. We come before you today, confident that you love us all more than we can possibly imagine.
We pray for all religious leaders. May they be instruments of peace and joy in our world.
We pray for world governments. May they serve people in humility and compassion, bringing security and peace, especially in areas of conflict.
We pray for people who are trapped in situations of injustice and war. May justice and peace replace violence and mistrust. We pray especially for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the suffering of innocent people.
We pray for those who mourn the death of a loved one. May they know the comfort, hope and joy of the resurrection and may those who have died have eternal life.
We pray for everyone who is experiencing financial or employment difficulties. May they find the security that they need to live a happy and meaningful life.
We pray for ourselves as we look towards Holy Week and Easter. May our Lenten journey bring us closer to you and to each other.
Lord of life and joy, fill us with trust in your promises as we continue our Lenten journey. Amen.