Prayers for those who have been affected by divorce (by Alison Flynn)

Loving God, our heavenly King: we thank you that you are full of compassion and lovingkindness, gracious and abounding in steadfast love. We praise you that you are rich in mercy, that you incline your ear toward us and hear our prayers. We thank you that we are your children, bought with the precious blood of your Son Jesus Christ, and that by your Holy Spirit we are being made new day-by-day.

Loving Lord, we thank you that you do not judge us by our weakness and our wrongdoings, by our fears and our failures, by our struggles and our stress. Often we cannot forgive ourselves, and live with burdens and regrets that we cannot lay aside. We thank you for your forgiveness, and we pray that you would plant your grace deep in our lives and enable it to grow and flourish.

Healing God, for those of us who have been divorced, for whatever reasons – enable us to leave the past with you, strengthen and heal what has been broken in us, and grant us your beauty in our lives going forward.

Merciful Lord, for those of us affected by divorce, as children, parents, in-laws, grandparents, friends, neighbours, colleagues; show us your mercy in our pain and sorrow, and in our weakness let us know the riches of your grace.

Faithful Saviour, for those of us who are married, grow us in faithfulness, and teach us to revere and cherish all the more the relationship you have given us.

Holy Lord, for those of us who are single and seeking a relationship, grant us wisdom and opportunity in our intimate relationships, to act in a way that pleases you and honours others.

Beloved Saviour, for those of us who are called to singleness, grow in us the gift of contentment and enable us to serve You, our great love, with holiness and purity of heart.

Lord, please help us, as a community of your people, to be faithful in our relationships and to model faithfulness.

Lord, we ask these things because you are the Faithful God, you have promised to hear the prayers of all who ask in Jesus’ name. In your mercy accept our prayers.
Give us what we have asked for in faith, according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen

We join together in saying

Our Father in heaven…