Intercessions for Lent 3: 3 March 2013 (2024)

The Collect

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Isaiah 55.1-9

The Lord says this: Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of theLord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek theLord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 63.1-8

O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *my soul is athirst for you.
My flesh also faints for you, *as in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
So would I gaze upon you in your holy place, *that I might behold your power and your glory.
Your loving-kindness is better than life itself *and so my lips shall praise you.
I will bless you as long as I live *and lift up my hands in your name.
My soul shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, *and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,
When I remember you upon my bed *and meditate on you in the watches of the night.
For you have been my helper *and under the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.1-13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Gospel Reading: Luke 13.1-9

There were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them – do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’

When I first looked at the lectionary, I couldn’t see any connection at all between the various passages. On these occasions, Rule 12 operates: when in doubt, concentrate on the gospel. And as I did so – and after having slept on it (Rule 11) – I could see (albeit through a glass, darkly) a link to the fig tree. Jeffrey John comes to my rescue: God visits his people and finds them fruitless, ‘what I gave them has passed from them’. John adds: ‘Jesus was certainly in anguish over the fruitlessness…and spiritual blindness of the religious institutions of his time. Is it likely that he thinks much differently of his Church now?’ (pp 188-202). The prayer for the Church today is based on this.

Prayers of Intercession

Today let us harden not our hearts, but open them to the Lord.

¶The Church of Christ

Lord, we ask you to challenge and change our Church. Judge us and cleanse us and help us to be what you called us to be. Help us to embody you on earth, and make your presence real for everyone in the here and now. Help us to feed your people with bread instead of stones. And, Lord, we ask you to begin with each one of us.

Lord, help us to repay your loving kindness by at last bearing fruit: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

Lord, when we weep at our failure to bear fruit, we are comforted when we consider the glory and wisdom of your creation. Like a painting it is set before us: all through history your great brush has not rested nor has the paint dried on your canvas. In wonderment and awe, we praise you for your great glory, king of glory eternal.

Lord, help us to repay your loving kindness by at last bearing fruit: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶The local community

Lord, as we seek to serve you among our fellow human beings, keep us mindful that the simplest task as a member of the community can also be the fruit of the Spirit. Let us rejoice in each other and the work that we do together, building the foundations of your kingdom on earth.

Lord, help us to repay your loving kindness by at last bearing fruit: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶Those who suffer

Lord, we pray for all those who are suffering, whether mentally or physically. Any help that we can offer or any kindness that we can show, let us do it now, not defer or neglect it. While we may think it is we who are bestowing a blessing, so often we receive far more than we give.

Lord, help us to repay your loving kindness by at last bearing fruit: in your mercy, hear our prayer.

¶The communion of saints

Lord, we remember before you those who have died. Grant us, with all who have known you in their hearts, a share in your eternal kingdom where all shall come to fruition.

Lord, help us to repay your loving kindness by at last bearing fruit: in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The illustration is a fig tree fresco from the Casa del Frutteto (I 9, 5) in Pompeii via Wikimedia
Intercessions for Lent 3: 3 March 2013 (2024)

FAQs

What is the intercession prayer for Lent 3rd Sunday? ›

Heavenly Father, we thank you for our neighbours, our friends and for the people around us with whom we work and share our daily lives. We pray for those who are old and lonely, those isolated because of ill-health, and those who find it difficult to make friends or be accepted.

What do you pray on the 3rd Sunday of Lent? ›

God our Father, in your infinite love and goodness you have shown us that prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are remedies for sin. Accept the humble admission of our guilt, and when our conscience weighs us down let your unfailing mercy raise us up.

What is the opening prayer for Lent 3? ›

God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer. and have not experienced the new life that comes from knowing Christ Jesus; who continue to search for purpose and meaning. God, in your unfailing love, hear our prayer.

What is the Anglican intercession prayer for Lent? ›

Lord Jesus, you were tried and tempted by the forces of evil. May we never be ashamed of temptation, but save us from the weakness of giving way to it. Help us choose the way of faithfulness rather than popularity, service rather than fame, sacrifice rather than power.

What is intercession first Sunday of Lent? ›

Grant us all the strength to stand up against all that is evil and keep us firm in times of trial and temptation knowing that your support and love are always close at hand. Make us resolute in obeying your will and seeking your kingdom that we may stay true to you and proclaim your salvation.

What is the powerful prayer during Lent? ›

O Lord, you who discipline those you love, grant me a special grace this Lent to embrace the disciplines that would enable me to love you with all of my body, so that my body might be free from the passions that draw me away from you and be filled with the passions that draw me near and that would make it easier to ...

What Psalm is on the third Sunday in Lent? ›

Responsorial Psalm

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

What is the significance of the Third Sunday of Lent? ›

Jesus extends His invitation to us once again to "deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him." Our Church gives us this Third Sunday of Lent--Mid-point to Golgotha--to pause with Jesus, to refresh ourselves spiritually, to assess our Lenten journey and to continue with greater determination.

What is a prayer to say each day of Lent? ›

Here are some easy prayers you can say to feel connected to God during Lent this year: “God, may Your light guide my day, and your spirit bring me peace. Amen.” “God, may my sacrifice of today of (state your Lenten sacrifice) remind me of my dependence on You for all the blessings I enjoy.

What word is never said or sung during Lent? ›

What word is never said or sung during Lent? In some liturgical traditions, the word "Alleluia" is not said or sung during Lent. This is because Lent is a penitential season of reflection and sacrifice leading up to the celebration of Easter, which is a joyous feast.

What do you pray for in intercessory prayer? ›

Pray for a variety of needs.

The nations of the world, our own nation, and all those in authority; The welfare of the world, all who labor, and each of us in our daily callings; Particular concerns of the local community; Those who are suffering or in trouble.

What is the intercession prayer for Lent 5? ›

PRIEST: Today we are reminded that the word of God is to planted deep in our hearts. So that we have a duty to proclaim the Gospel and introduce Jesus to those who seek life. Let us proclaim it with joy and give thanks to the Lord, Glorifying his Name.

What is the prayer of intercession for Ash Wednesday? ›

ASH WEDNESDAY – 2 March

We pray for all who know what it is to live in the ashes: the poor, the marginalised, the outcast, the lonely, the sick. May the ashes we wear in humility be for us all a sign of our hope in the rising of the Lord of all life. Lord hear us.

What are the rules for Lent in Anglican church? ›

Some people fast, eat frugally or give up treats following the example of Jesus, who fasted for forty days in the wilderness. People also give to charity, set aside time to study the Bible and meet with other Christians to reflect on Jesus' life and prepare for the events of Holy Week and Easter.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 5759

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.