25th October 2026 10.30am – Last Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist.

The Readings

Leviticus 19.1-2, 15-18

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

You shall not render an unjust judgement; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbour. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbour: I am the Lord.

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbour, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.

Matthew 22.34-end

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet’ ”?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

Let us pray for the Church, for the world, for our communities,
and for all those in need, remembering the words of Jesus in
today's Gospel:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with
all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your
neighbour as yourself."

Heavenly Father, We pray for your Church throughout the
world, and for all who seek to follow your Son, Jesus Christ.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus reminds us that the whole of the
Law and the Prophets rests upon two commandments: to love
you, and to love one another.

Help us to remember that our Christian faith is not simply a
matter of attending worship, observing traditions, or knowing
the scriptures, important though these things are. It is also
about how we live our lives, how we treat others, and how we
respond to the needs of the world around us.

Give wisdom and courage to all who lead your Church, and
help us, as members of Christ's body, to be witnesses to your
love through our words and actions.

May our churches be places of welcome, understanding and
compassion, where all may encounter your grace.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Lord of justice and peace, In our reading from Leviticus, we are
reminded that we must not judge unjustly, show favouritism, or
allow hatred and resentment to take root in our hearts.

We pray for the leaders of nations, for those who exercise
authority, and for all who have the responsibility of making
decisions which affect the lives of others.

In a world where division, conflict and injustice seem so often to
dominate the news, we pray that those in power may be guided
by wisdom, honesty and a genuine concern for the people they
serve. We remember especially those caught up in warfare,
those forced to flee their homes, those who suffer persecution,
and those whose voices are seldom heard.

Help us to recognise that our neighbours are not simply those
who live next door, or those who share our beliefs and values,
but all those with whom we share this world. May the
commandment to love our neighbour challenge prejudice,
overcome hostility, and encourage reconciliation wherever
there is division.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Loving Father, We pray for our own communities, for our
families, friends and neighbours, and for the places in which we
live and work. Leviticus reminds us not to bear grudges or seek
revenge, but to love our neighbours as ourselves. These are
simple words, but we know that putting them into practice is not
always easy.

We all experience disagreements, disappointments and
occasions when we feel that we have been treated unfairly.
Sometimes it is easier to hold on to resentment than to offer
forgiveness.Help us to recognise these feelings within
ourselves, and give us the grace to respond with patience,
understanding and kindness. We pray for those who feel
isolated or forgotten, for those struggling with the pressures of
daily life, and for those who depend upon the kindness of
others. Open our eyes to the opportunities we have, often in
quite small and ordinary ways, to make a difference to another
person's life.

Remind us that loving our neighbour is not just an ideal to
admire, but a calling to be lived out each day.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

God of compassion and healing, We bring before you all who
are suffering in body, mind or spirit. We remember those who
are ill, those awaiting treatment or diagnosis, those living with
chronic pain or disability, and those who struggle with anxiety,
depression or loneliness.

We pray too for those who care for them, whether
professionally or within their own families, especially those who
are exhausted by the demands placed upon them.

Jesus calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Help us to
understand that this includes offering kindness to those who
are struggling, but also recognising our own need for care, rest
and compassion.

In a moment of quiet, we bring before you those known
personally to us who are in need of your comfort and healing.

May they know your presence in their difficulties, find strength
for the days ahead, and experience your love through the care
and concern of those around them.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Eternal Father, We remember before you those who have died,
especially those who have died recently, and those whose
anniversaries fall at this time. We give thanks for the love they
shared, for the ways in which they touched our lives, and for
the memories which remain with us.

We pray for all who mourn, especially those for whom grief is
still fresh, and those who carry the sadness of loss quietly,
perhaps many years after a loved one's death.

Comfort them with the knowledge of your enduring love, and
with the hope of the resurrection promised to us through Jesus
Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

And in a moment of silence, we bring before you the concerns
of our own heart, and a desire to find guidance in the words of
today’s scriptures.

Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour
Jesus Christ.
Amen.

St Marys Walkley

The Church on the Road: inclusive, eucharistic, a safe place to be with God

25th October 2026 10.30am – Last Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist.