Service for times of need

Drawn from the Liturgy of the Iona Community

We gather in silence

Introduction to the service which is drawn from the Iona Service book

We all stand in need of restoration and in this ministry we recognise that this also has a social dimension. The healing of divided communities, the healing of the earth itself, has a place alongside the mending of broken bodies, hurt minds and wounded hearts and of the hurts and divisions within ourselves. So too our prayers are complementary with the work of medicine and other forms of healing, which are also channels of God’s loving and transforming action.

In this service anyone may name particular people and places and situations for which prayers are specifically asked. We do this because each person and situation is known to God, not as a problem to be solved but as a focus for God’s acceptance and love. We are not seeking to change God but to change the world; and we trust God that our prayers will be heeded, although we do not know when or how that will happen.

There will also be an opportunity for those who wish to come forward to receive the ministry of the laying on of hands and annointing. This can be for themselves or for another person or situation. In and through this we affirm that the ministry of healing is not restricted to particular individuals but is a corporate and inclusive process – the work of the whole community in which we have a part to play in the promise of God’s fulfilling and sustaining love which is for each one of us. Whether we choose to come forward or remain seated in prayer and concern, our presence is part of the plea for wholeness and part of the service.

Welcome

Opening sentences

We gather here in your presence God, In our need

and bringing with us the needs of the world

We come to you for you have come to us in Jesus

You know by experience what our human life is like

We come with our faith and our doubts

We come with our hopes and our fears

We come as we are because you invite us to come

and you have promised never to turn us away.

Song

Be still and know that I am God

I am your God who healeth thee

In thee oh God I put my trust

Scripture readings

Prayers of intercession, ending with

God of compassion and love

we offer you all our suffering and pain.

Give us strength to bear our weakness,

healing even when there is no cure,

peace in the midst of turmoil,

and love to fill the spaces of our lives

Glory to God from whom all love flows,

Glory to Jesus, who showed his love through suffering,

and glory to the Holy Spirit who brings light in the darkest places

AMEN

The invitation

Including the words…

Jesus says, ‘Come to me all you who are troubled and heavy laden and I will give you rest’. So come you who are burdened with regrets, you who are broken in body or spirit, you who are torn by relationships and by doubt, you who feel within yourselves the divisions, greed and injustices of the world, Come for Jesus invites us to bring him our brokenness.

Music is played as we come forward for prayer.

A hymn is sung

Closing prayer and blessing

Watch now dear Lord,

with those who wake or watch or weep this night,

and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones oh Lord Jesus

rest your weary ones,

bless your dying ones,

soothe your suffering ones, pity your afflicted ones,

shield your joyous ones,

and all for your love’s sake.