Prayer of Intercession
Sunday,
25 November, 2012
Edwina
Santoyo, Bruce Van Voorhis, Nina, Lucia Wah
Nina: Today our prayers will focus on the theme of
violence against women and are led by a small group of people. At the end of
each prayer item, we will say “in your mercy,” and the congregation should please
respond with “hear our prayer.”
Let us pray.
Nina
Loving God, you call us by name. The truth of
Christ gives us hope, and the pain of Jesus strengthens us to care for the
abused and the oppressed. Dear God, grant us courage to confront violence
against women and to respond faithfully to your call by advancing your Kingdom
of justice and peace. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Nina
We remember there are homes in our community where
women and girls live in fear of violence. For them, home is not a sanctuary of
peace and love. God of peace, give them the strength to endure, show them your
love, soothe their suffering, and rest their wearied spirits. Lord, enlighten
them that they are worthy of your love and care because they are all your
children. Empower them Lord, and give them courage to break the cycle of
violence. Make all homes places of safety, and protect those who serve others
in their homes. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Nina
God of Life and Justice, we thank you for the courage and good spirit of
all women and men who are working for the healing of their families, community,
and society from any pain and wound caused by a violent and abusive misuse of power
or by violent and abusive systems.
We pray for all those young
girls, women, and men who are still in the struggle to seek and restore justice
and peace and for those who are willing to journey and accompany the struggles
towards life-giving communities. We especially remember:
- Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who asserted
her right to education and who was shot by the Taliban for doing so;
- Liu Xia, writer and wife of Liu Xiaobo, who is under house arrest in China
- Irom Sharmila Chanu, a 41-year-old Indian
women who has been fasting for 13 years to demand that the Armed Forces Special
Power Act (AFSPA) be repealed as it leads to violence in Manipur and other
communities in Northeast India .
Along with many other struggles of people who are
engaging and restoring justice and peace around the world, grant them your
healing and transforming power so that we all may live in peace and become life-giving
communities. Lord, in Your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Edwina
We remember those victims of rape and sexual
harassment at work and women caught in the midst of wars and conflicts. We pray
too for sex workers who are easily subjected to violence and abusive treatment
because of the stigma and discrimination against them in society. We see terror
in the faces of our sisters. Help them turn their fear into hope. Provide them with
a safe working place and a community where they can enjoy freedom and peace.
Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Edwina
We remember those domestic helpers, sex workers,
victims of human trafficking—anyone torn away from their family
in order to support them from abroad—and all those working in an
abusive or oppressive situation. May
peace uplift women out of poverty, stabilize their governments, and free them
from military intrusions in their homes and lives. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our
prayer.
Edwina
We pray for women who have been suffering from
economic violence. Women without an education or professional skills are
subjected to more exploitation at work. They usually receive less salary and
benefits. Lord, help them remain free from the plight of poverty. Enlighten
both employers and society to recognize their labor and contribution to families
and society. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Bruce
We pray for all professionals providing various kinds of
services to the victims of violence. Grant them, Lord, a compassionate heart and a sensitivity
to serve, and nurture and sustain the spirit of activists who have been advocates for gender equality
and a violent-free society. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Bruce
As people of faith, we stand united to affirm our roles
in stopping violence against women. We will work together to educate, advocate,
prevent, and stop violence against women. Lord, with your help, we can ensure
women take their full place in society, eliminating sexism and exclusion. Let
us remember Mathew 25:40 where “The King said, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for
me.’” Let us recognize the love of God shining through the beaten and bruised,
our sisters in Christ, and grant us the courage to help them as if they were
your Son, our Lord. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Lucia
As we gather in both faith and action to promote a
more secure and peaceful world, we pray that you will open our hearts and minds
to support women and girls through our thoughts, our actions, and our words. Help
us to challenge ourselves and strengthen our voices. We pray collectively and
ask for collaboration with other faith communities, knowing that walking hand
in hand we can bring an end to violence against women and girls. Lord, in your
mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
Lucia
God, our loving Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier,
we know the road will be long, but we put our trust in you and will not be
discouraged. Peace in our world will come through peace in our hearts, peace in
our homes, and peace in our communities. May your Holy Spirit fill us so that
we may fulfill your will on this Earth and make us a living testament of your
love for all of your sons and daughters in Christ. Amen.
In the Ecumenical Prayer
Cycle, we pray for the people and churches of Burkina Faso , Chad ,
Mali , Mauritania , and Niger
Let us say together
the prayer Jesus taught us. You may pray in your own language.
Lord’s Prayer
posted by Kowloon Union Church | 10:20 am
