You're invited to pray the following prayers for our pandemic stricken world, written by Bishop Brian Carrell, that were used in our services last Sunday.

This morning our prayers are prompted by the Covid crisis that is spanning the world and reshaping how we live. We bring before God, at all times and in all circumstances our Creator and Sustainer, the concerns that we all share, seeking God’s help as we face the challenges before us as a nation. The response to the petition ‘Lord, in your mercy', will be ‘Hear our prayer’.

First, we give thanks for the success we have had so far in resisting and restraining the spread of Delta Covid in this land; for the widespread vaccination programme now being undertaken; for the responsible leadership given daily by our politicians and Department of Health; for the high level of compliance demonstrated in our response as a nation; for the acceptance of the lifestyle sacrifices this has meant for all of us.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for our Prime Minister, for her Cabinet, and for all Members of Parliament, that they may have wisdom and a steady nerve in leading us through this crisis. We pray for Dr Ashley Bloomfield and his advisors, for front-line emergency workers and hospital staff – particularly in Auckland – that they may show compassion as well as competence in their various duties.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for those engaged in the many businesses that meet our every-day needs - for caterers and service centres, for struggling hospitality enterprises and independent tradespeople – that they may have the resilience and resources to survive as businesses in this prolonged time of testing.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who find it hard to adapt to the pressures of this time – those living alone, those isolated from family and friends, the elderly bewildered by the changes and challenges this pandemic presents, for the anxious, the bereaved and those prevented from gathering for funerals of friends. In our own parish we especially remember before you the families of Beryl Newman, Jean Smith and Ron Newton.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Beyond our nation we pray for other countries and people in other parts of the world who are less well placed to receive and administer vaccines, less well-equipped to care for the stricken. And we pray for people who are near to us personally, for those seated next to us in this service or at home now, for those who live next to us in our street and family members some distance from us who we care for deeply but can not visit.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

And we conclude as we began – with thanksgiving, praying together:

Praise to you, abundant God, for when we ask, you give; when we seek, you show the way; when we knock, you answer. Praise to you for your unfailing grace. Make us now your faithful people. Amen.