O God, you yoke us to yourself,

sharing our burdens, 

walking through life with us,

shouldering, with us, all that we face –

all our joys and sorrows, 

all the mundane things and the things that challenge us.

Help us to share with others as you share with us,

especially where people are struggling with heavy loads –

like Simon of Cyrene, let our feet be propelled towards you.

When we see need.

We pray for your church;

this weekend the General Synod is meeting,

and there are serious questions to be answered

about the care of abuse survivors.

We pray especially for Jasvinder Sanghera, and Steve Reeves

who have been sacked from the Independent Safeguarding Panel

after raising concerns.

We pray for honesty, openness, integrity, repentance,

and for justice for those who have waited 

so long for compensation. 

We pray for those who are sick or in need.

In a moment of silence, we remember them. 

As you healed, we thank you for those whose vocation this is:

for doctors, nurses, dentists and all who work in the NHS.

As you brought care and comfort to people in need,

we pray for carers, paid or unpaid, in homes and in care homes:

May your healing love, 

your concern for putting people in need

at the very centre,

be the pattern for our caring today.

We remember those who have died,

those whom we have loved,

and those who have died unloved or alone.

And we give thanks;

for the faith you have given us,

which enriches our lives

and enables us to know your love: 

keep us thankful and hopeful

and keep us faithful. Amen

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