Prayers for Sunday 30 March 2025

4th Sunday in Lent/Te Rātapu Tuawhā o Rēneti

 Taken from/inspired by Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, and the ANZPB

Bidding: The Lord’s unfailing love
Response: surrounds the one who trusts in Him.

[Psalm 32:20b]

Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
 You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

[Psalm 32:6-7]

Let us pray.

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

[Psalm 32: 1-2]

We pray that our communities would grow in Your love and forgiveness;
may we offer grace to one another
as you have offered grace to us.

[silence]

Bidding: The Lord’s unfailing love
Response: surrounds the one who trusts in Him.

 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
[Luke 15:31-32]

We pray for the church

Father, teach us how to embody your grace;
may we be defined by your compassion.

[silence]

Bidding: The Lord’s unfailing love
Response: surrounds the one who trusts in Him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
[2 Corinthians 5: 17-19]

We pray for the world

We pray for those who are suffering as we anticipate the new creation.

[silence]

Bidding: The Lord’s unfailing love
Response: surrounds the one who trusts in Him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
   sing, all you who are upright in heart!
[Psalm 32:11]

We praise you God, that the light of Christ shines in our darkness and is never overcome; show us the way we must go to eternal day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.