We hold before God:

those for whom life is very difficult;

those who have difficult decisions to make,

and who honestly do not know what is the right thing to do.
We hold before God:

those who have difficult tasks to do and to face,

and who fear they may fail in them.

We hold before God:

those who have difficult temptations to face,

and who know only too well that they may fall to them,

if they try to meet them alone.

We hold before God:

those who know that they can be their own worst enemies.

We hold before God:

those who have difficult people to work with;

those who have to suffer unjust treatment, unfair

criticism, unappreciated work.

We hold before God:

those who are sad because someone they loved has died;

and any who are disappointed in something for which the hoped.

We hold before God:

Prisoners, refugees, and those oppressed.

We hold before God:

All these and those in our hearts.

And we commit to care for them with actions louder than words.

We hold before God

The gift of grace,

The joy of the resurrection,

And sure hope of eternal life.

In the name of Christ,

Amen.

.

– Inspired by a prayer by William Barclay, but slightly edited for our modern context (Matt).