Dear Lord, on this Mothering Sunday, as we come to you in prayer in the stillness of our own homes, make each of us aware of you beside us. As your son Jesus Christ showed his love on the cross, in his compassion for his mother and his sacrifice for us all, may we know what it is to love and be loved, in words and in actions. We thank you for the ministry today of John Kiddle and those involved in making our on-line worship uplifting for all and we especially thank Mary for her thoughtful planning in bringing together those leading our worship in music. We are looking forward to opening our churches next Sunday and as we look further forward we pray for our new vicar Revd Dr Melanie Harrington and her preparations for joining us in the summer.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Father, we pray for people all over the world living in fear of any kind: help them to know you are with them and we pray there may be true and lasting peace, justice and freedom in their lands. We especially pray for all mothers who have to raise their children in places where there is war, famine, terrorism and great uncertainty. For mothers who have had to flee conflict to a different country or are far from their homes and their relatives.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Loving Father, to those of us who have been granted the gift of being mothers, we rejoice in that gift, but let us not forget those for whom Mothering Sunday is a difficult day. We pray for those who don’t have children but who mother and love in other ways. May they find fulfilment through knowing your love. We thank you for our own mums, for their loving care and may we show that same love in our daily lives. We pray too for those who have never known their mother or whose mothers have died. We remember all mothers who share in Mary’s suffering of a child’s death and especially for Sarah Everard’s Mum, and also family and friends, during these dark days.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer
Lord, we pray that you are able to give us solace and calm at this difficult time, when we may feel detached from you or are feeling isolated and alone. Be near us in our daily lives, and especially if the current stresses are making it difficult for us to turn our thoughts towards to you. We thank you for the scientists who created the various vaccines which give us hope and pray for those who are working and volunteering to vaccinate everyone with such care and compassion.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Lord, we pray for our community in Kew of the friendships we have that knit us together and how fortunate we are to live in a peaceful community surrounded by wonderfully green and open spaces. We pray for our families many separated by distance. We ask you to take care of them whether they are near us or living farther away. We pray for our young people who have returned to school this week and we pray for all the teachers and school staff for their energy and innovation in the last few months, dedicated to maintaining education for all.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Father, we pray for those who are suffering in mind, body or spirit and in a moment of silence we think of those whom we know and bring them before you – Peter Low, John Lynch, Canon Robin Morrison, Annie Woolmer, Gemma Fryer, Revd Neil Summers, Adrian Risso Gill.
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Comfort those recently bereaved and may they know your loving presence when they feel sad and alone. We fondly remember all our own loved ones who are in your care and we pray for them. We remember before God those who have died and are with You. We remember Grace Hay (Irene Stephens Mum).
Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer
Father God, on this Mothering Sunday we remember that from the cross your only Son, Jesus entrusted Mary his mother and John his disciple to each other’s care. Help us also to care for one another and fill our homes with the spirit of your love.
And finally, a Covid prayer from the Christian Aid Website written by Laura Kelley Fanucci – I am sure we can all relate to it:
When this is over,
may we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the supermarket
Conversations with neighbours
A crowded theatre
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine check-up
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends,
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way–better
for each other
because of the worst.
– Laura Kelley Fanucci
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen