Today’s intercessions focus on the decisions we make in our lives as we ask God to be our influence. As we walk together through the week just gone and the week ahead, we offer God the choices we made and ask for his guidance on those decisions yet to come.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
Lord, each day we make a variety of choices – what to eat, what to wear, where to go. Most of the time we don’t even notice the choices we are making. But we call to mind a choice we had to make this week that was more important. We think about how we came to our decision.
Lord, if we made a bad choice, forgive us. If the choice was hard, give us your peace. If we are still awaiting the consequences, give us patience.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
We now look ahead to the week in front of us. Maybe there are hard decisions to be made. Maybe we don’t know if we will be confronted by difficult choices. But, whatever happens, Lord, our deepest desire is to make the right choices – to listen for your guidance and to go your way. Help us to be attuned to your voice; not to be ashamed or afraid to seek advice, and to be prepared to change our minds if we discern you leading us in a different direction.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
Lord, we pray for those in our local communities who need to make choices and decisions this week. We think of the health service: we pray for those who may receive difficult, life-changing diagnoses. We pray for doctors and other health professionals who need to advise patients on their care options.
We pray for teachers and students, particularly at this difficult exam time. Give those taking exams your peace and focus as they decide what to write on their exam papers. Help our young people to make good choices about their next steps. Give them good guidance, we pray, so that the outcomes will be positive for their futures.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
We bring before you, Lord, all those we know who have asked for our prayers. We remember those who are sick, sorrowful, lonely, isolated and afraid. We especially remember…
We ask for your help as we seek to bring them comfort. Help us to be joy-bringers into every difficult situation.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
We pray now further afield, for our leaders. Lord, the leaders of the world need so much wisdom and strength. May they be governed by a desire for integrity and humility. Help them to put the needs of the poorest and the oppressed ahead of the wealthiest and most influential. Stay their hands when they would choose violence over peace. Give them the courage to stand up for what is right.
We particularly bring to mind the following situations….
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
Lord, we remember those whose life choices have not been good and have led to painful or devastating consequences. We remember those in prison and their families; those who are in serious debt; those in situations where they no longer feel safe and loved. We pray for those who choose to leave their countries because of persecution and find themselves in refugee camps or on small, unsafe boats crossing our seas. Lord, protect them and bring good outcomes.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
We think about local businesses and our places of work. Where might we need to make decisions this week? Where might our decisions have serious consequences for others? Lord, in the quiet, we bring those situations to you, asking for your wisdom to fill us as we go forward into a new week….
In our homes and families and social situations, Lord, guide us and help us each day to make the choices that will bring harmony and peace rather than conflict and argument. Help us to be quicker to listen than to speak. Give us discerning hearts.
L: Lord, as we are confronted daily by different choices
All: Help us to go your way.
Help us always to be guided by you. Give us wisdom and show us the right paths to follow.
Amen.