Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 16 Decenber, 2018

Prepared and led by Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro

O God, father and mother of us all, we come to you at this moment to bring before you our concerns and intercessions:

We pray for the world, especially the smaller and poorer nations that face the threat of climate change and extinction of life; we pray for the rich countries and companies to commit to meet the “safer cap of 1.5⁰ C warming,” and help us truly prepare for the worst effects of climate change.

We pray that injustices, oppression, hatred, conflict and violence to stop for they bring inconceivable sufferings –

to the peoples of the Rakhine, Kachin and Shan states of Myanmar;

to the Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines and all over the world,

to the victims of killings, and of rapes in many places in this world.

We pray for peace and stability in France; for comfort to the families of those killed in Strasbourg Christmas market; for the families of those who died due to a train accident in Turkey.

We pray for places where hunger and poverty, illness and death have made unbearable burden for the people.

We pray for countries in Asia that are beleaguered by disputes over maritime boundaries like Singapore and Malaysia, and for the leaders of China and Philippines to respect the UN’s arbitral tribunal ruling on the case of the West Philippine Sea.

We pray that the trade war between China and the U.S. will stop, and not drag small countries into the fray.

We pray for those who are engaged in drug dealing and trafficking to come to their senses, and be concerned for the lives of people that they destroy.

We pray for the Philippines and other countries where leaders dwell in lies and in opulence acquired by wanton corruption and impunity, for they have challenged your will for truth, justice, and equality.

We pray for the citizens and leaders of Asian countries that are already preparing for the elections of leaders in different levels next year – India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, and even in Hong Kong. May the principle of “once country, two systems” be truly respected. May these countries also put leaders who live out the meaning of integrity.

We pray for the states and leaders to respect the rights of peoples, of the earth and non-human citizens of this planet. We pray for the persecuted Christians and Muslims in China, and elsewhere.

We also pray for those who spend their lives in peacebuilding efforts;

for the gains of the peace endeavours in the Korean Peninsula to be durable and lasting;

for the peace processes in other parts of the world to succeed;

for the peace talks in the Philippines to resume.

We pray for Kowloon Union Church, that it may be consistent to its mission as God’s people;

for the members to be the light wherever they are;

for Pearl’s mother to have a fast recovery from her surgery, and for Pearl to find the strength as a caregiver to her aging mother;

for the new-born babies to grow healthy in body, spirit and wisdom.

for Raghnild’s safe travel to her home in Norway, that you O God will accompany her in   her study and life’s journey.  We pray that you will bless her country as it commits to help in the peace processes of countries around the world, including the Philippines.

God of love, and grace, hear our prayer.

Give us your light, give us your peace, and as we celebrate Advent and Christmas, teach us to pray mindfully the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples and us, saying:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come;

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil;

For yours is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory forever. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 9 Decenber, 2018

Prepared and led by Ragnhild Hungnes

Dear God, we thank you for our safe arrival to Kowloon Union Church today and for the opportunity to worship together. We pray for everyone here and for the rest of the congregation who are not here.

‪December 10th is International Human Rights Day. We pray for all who have had their rights violated and for you to strengthen human rights activists and keep their faith strong. We pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us on the path of love so that we will be inspired to treat all human beings well.

In Hong Kong, we pray for the rule of law, freedom of the press and a more equal share of political power and wealth among the people. We also pray for the nine activists who participated as leaders in the Occupy Movement who are currently fighting their cause in court. May the people in our city keep hope alive to strive for a better life and community.

We pray for the world—for human rights in Burundi, the relationship between China and the United States, for peace and stability in France and for the search for the missing U.S. marines in Japan after their ship was involved in an accident.

This week we especially pray for the people and churches of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Many people bear physical and emotional scars from years of conflict in these countries. May the victims of monsoons and other disasters in the region recover and enjoy economic development and political stability.

For the congregation, we pray for those of us—friends and family—who are facing health challenges. Dear Heavenly Mother, help them recover. We also pray for those who are grieving for the loss of their loved ones.

Today we warmly welcome Cynthia Leung and Pauline Loh who have joined KUC’s family by baptism. We pray for their growth in the love and faith of Christ. We also pray for the growth of the newborn babies—Wesley, Joseph Jr., Angelina Elsa Bethany, Bethel, Bernice, Pearl and Pascal— and for those who are preparing for baptism.

Loving Father, help us remain a warm and welcoming congregation where “all are one” in you. In Jesus Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 2 December, 2018

Prepared and led by Emelia Pobee

Heavenly father, we thank you for yet another Sunday. We are grateful for your mercies in our lives and we thank you for our friends and family.

As we have gathered here today, we entrust the world into your care. We commit those living with HIV Aids who continue to face social prejudice into your hands as World Aids days was commemorated on December 1.

We also pray for academics in the field of genetics following gene editing by Dr. He. We pray that the advancement of scientific studies is carefully examined and monitored with particular attention to ethical issues.

We pray for desperate immigrants who in their quest to get to the US border have been tear gassed by US agents. We pray that their quest for a safe home as they flee humanitarian crises in their home countries will be preserved as well as their human rights.

We remember the people of the Philippines who live in fear following various human rights abuses associated with the “war on drugs” by their government. We pray that you strengthen and guide the hard-working organizations in the country, which stand up for the rights of civilians even at their own peril.

On the 10^th anniversary of a terror attack in Mumbia, India where 166 people were killed, and hundreds more were hurt, we stand together with the victims of the meaningless attack and condemn killings in the name of God.

In Hong Kong, we pray for the nine activists who were involved in the Occupy Movement towards the fight for universal suffrage as they stand trial. We pray that God’s justice prevails, and God’s peace is with those who sacrificed to build up Hong Kong with democracy and justice.

We pray for the people who died in a fatal traffic accident in on Friday morning. We also commit the injured and those who have lost their loved ones into your care O Lord.

For our Congregation, we remember babies who are preparing for baptism in January. We continue to pray for the growth of: Wesley, Joseph Jr, Angelina Elsa Bethany, Bethel, Bernice, Pearl, and Pascal.

We pray for Pauline Loh and Cynthia Leung who also be baptized in the church next week.

We also remember friends who are facing health challenges and pray for their recovery.

In our Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the ethnic minority and religious groups in Myanmar and Thailand, who continue to experience discrimination, persecution or even genocide (like the Rohingyas). We also pray for the victims of sex tourism.

This we pray through your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 18 November, 2018

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Prepared and led by Bruce Van Voorhis, Norma Diaz, Aline Kamugunga

1.     God, who calls us by name, we reaffirm that we all are created in God’s own image and likeness. May our faith inspire and motivate us to do justice for the low and the oppressed. Today we come together as a faith community to say NO to gender-based violence and to stand in solidarity with women in different parts of the world in our commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. We especially uphold those millions of women, girls and children who are suffering and experiencing various forms of violence and discrimination in our homes, communities, society and in the world. (Bruce)

2.     We particularly remember and pray for foreign domestic workers here in Hong Kong. Foreign domestic workers are mothers, sisters, aunties and grandmas who are forced to leave their families often due to life-threatening situations marred by poverty, landlessness, unemployment, oppression, political persecution and other forms of human rights violations that deprive them of an abundant and dignified life. Guide and lead us, O God, to continue our acts of solidarity and to offer our hospitality and acts of mercy so that these sisters of ours may find the courage to speak up and stand for their rights and dignity as women created in God’s image.  (Norma)

3.     We remember the refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of sex trafficking and anyone torn away from their family and homeland due to war, violence, calamities and economic injustices and who are surviving in a foreign land.

We especially remember today women who have been raped, sexually assaulted and who live in an environment where violence is used as a weapon of war. We also remember the women sexually abused within churches due to an abuse of power by religious leaders. May God give courage to the community to address it and create a safe space. We pray for protection and an end to all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination against women around the world. Give them justice and heal their hearts and minds. (Aline)

4.     As we mark this day to eliminate violence against women, we men must, first of all, acknowledge that we are the cause of this violence through rape, physical and verbal abuse and harassment and have even used it as a weapon of war in some parts of the world, like Burma. Our passion, anger, frustration and misuse of power in society have resulted in lifelong trauma for daughters of God. Since we are the cause of this suffering, we men must also be the solution by ending these violent practices and standing with our sisters as they seek justice for their painful experiences. Our attitudes furthermore must shift to view women, not as objects, but as daughters of our Lord, as human beings with equal status within society. May God bless we men with wisdom, compassion and respect for women to make this transformation a reality. (Bruce)

5.     We remember the activists, civil societies and faith communities across the world for their relentless engagement in responding to the challenges and for providing support, care and solidarity. May God's guidance empower and strengthen the community to be prophetic in the present time, and may the faith communities journey together in solidarity for a better world!

May your presence be felt in our acts of solidarity and compassion to those who are vulnerable and who face discrimination, abuse and exploitation in the marginalized sectors of our society in their struggle to manifest your reign of justice, human rights and dignity. (Norma)

6.     For the restoration of life and for transformation of the world, God, we uplift our prayers to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.