Prayers

Prayers for the people

27 November 2012


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41-year-old Indian women who has been fasting for 13 years to demand that the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) be repealed as it leads to violence in Manipur and other communities in Northeast India.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 traffickinganyone torn away from their family in order to support them from abroadand 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. Amen.

Let us say together the prayer Jesus taught us. You may pray in your own language.

Lord’s Prayer

06 November 2012


Prayer of Intercession
Sunday, 4 November, 2012
Rey Asis

Oh Lord, our father, we have so much to thank and praise you for – the cool weather that delights us, the sun that warms and brightens our days, friends and loved ones who are there with us, the Kowloon Union Church that is our refuge.

Amidst trials and tribulations, calamities and disasters, you are always there for us. Despite our mistakes and failures, you are always there to forgive and bring us up. Indeed, with you in our midst, you and the people whom we love with all heart, soul, mind and strength, life is worth-living.

Today, we pray for our families, our friends, the people we love. We pray for those who are in their happiest moments, those who are in trouble, those who are sick, those who need your help.

We pray for the people of the United States, especially those who have been affected by hurricane Sandy. We pray for immediate and effective measures to rebuild their homes, community and lives.

We pray for the Presidential election in the United States. May the nation continue to uphold her core values of freedom, democracy and human rights for her people.

We pray for peace in West Indonesia where ethnic clashes have killed 14 people last week. We pray especially for the minorities whose rights need to be upheld and protected. May the people there live with respect and tolerance of each other’s religion and traditions.

For Hong Kong, we pray that the Hong Kong government listen to the voices of the poor elderly and all stakeholders as they address the concern of the law makers and together create a sound policy that can help our kokos and popos in need.

For our congregation, we pray for members and friends who are unwell: Siaman, Peter, Adrian, Yiu Keung and Kar Yu. May God’s healing power and peace dwell in them. We pray for our dear friends who have gone back and who are with us here in Hong Kong. We pray that you guide them in their new journeys here.

In the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the people and churches of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

As we pray for our own intentions, we offer everything we have and everything we do for your greater glory. This we pray through your son, Jesus Christ, amen.