Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 26 February, 2017

Ramon Bultron

LET US PRAY.

O'God, You are the Source of our life. You have adopted us in the waters of baptism and made us your own in love. May we embrace our lives and the lives of others with courage and compassion, unafraid of joy and pain, sickness and health. May your care be made known in our care.

We pray for our troubled world, wandering in the excruciating twilight of an uncertain peace. In our hearts we know that this is no true peace – rather suspicion and fear, animosity and greed. We ask that Your Spirit will strive mightily with the leaders of the nations as they seek a formula by which the peoples of the earth can live at peace with one another. Impress upon their minds and heart that until we are at peace with You, we can be at peace with no one else; that freedom can exist nowhere unless it exists everywhere.

That the trouble with our world is still – people; that peace is not possible until people's hearts – our hearts – and the direction of our wills are changed.

Our Father, grant that the promised day may soon come when culture and learning, education and compassion, shall again light all lamps that wars have extinguished; when all wanderers can return to their homes; when all of us may be united in our quest of building a better world.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness.

In particular, we pray for the country of Syria, Libya, Iraq, Colombia, Palestine, South Sudan, Congo, Philippines and other countries in conflict in Asia, Middle East, Africa,  Latin America and Europe, we pray for your heavenly grace that brings genuine peace and democracy to shine upon your Children.

We pray for those affected by the recent immigration and refugee policies in the United States as well as the building of walls in its borders. We also pray for the victims and families of extra judicial killings continously happening in the Philippines in the guise of war on drugs.

We pray for the continuation of peace talks in the Philippines and the safety and welfare of all refugees and migrants around the world. May they find peace and comfort in your grace O' God.

Almighty and most merciful loving God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute,  the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. 

We pray for our sisters and brothers in the KUC congregation, Max, Saimon, Jenny, Jacky and Stella who are facing health challenges. O'God, please heal them and restore their strength.

In the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the people and Churches of Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.

O'God, with your love and compassion, hear the prayers of your people. Enliven us, by your Spirit, to live into the fullness of your reign. We pray through Jesus, our life, our hope and liberator.

AMEN.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 19 February 2017

Judy Chan

O God of every land and nation,
When the world’s needs and sorrows threaten to crush our hearts,

We come to you, not because we must, but because we may as your beloved children.

Hear our prayers this morning,
and grant that, as we proclaim your justice and mercy,
all people will know your power of love at work in our world and in their lives.

We pray:

For the victims of disasters: wildfires in New Zealand and heavy rainstorms in Southern California.

For the victims of accidents in the bus tragedy in Taiwan and the stampede at a football match in Angola.

For the victims of violence:

·        in the suicide bombing at the Sufi shrine in Pakistan and the retaliation on militants by the government;

·        in the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines and those killed by the government in the so-called ‘war against drugs’;

·        for the 10 year Syrian boy whose legs were blown off after an airstrike, crying for his father, “Baba, carry me, baba!”

O God, this is our prayer too, that you carry us through the pains of this life and show us how we might bring relief, compassion, and peace in the midst of so much tragedy and suffering.

In the Ecumenical prayer cycle today, we remember France, Germany and Monaco. We give thanks how their churches and governments have welcomed new immigrants and their generous support of ecumenical, interfaith and development work around the globe, including in Hong Kong. We pray that these nations may also overcome fears and suspicions that still remain from 20^th century atrocities, and more recent terrorist attacks. May their churches and governments effectively counter anti-immigrant sentiments and may the people elect leaders who will further the common good not only for their country but for the sake of Europe and the rest of world.

Finally, Lord, we pray for our nation, our city, and our church. We too need leaders who hear the cries of the people and work for the dignity and human rights of all. We remember those in hospital and at home who are in need of healing and strength in body, mind or spirit, especially Max, Saimon, Stella, Jacky, Jenny, Pastor Maggie, and all those grieving the loss of loved ones near and far, especially the family of our sister Anna Barroga and the family of James Mario Bruno.

Holy God, you gather the whole universe

into your gracious and holy presence
and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.
Bring healing to all wounds,
make whole all that is broken,
speak truth to all illusion,
and shed light in every darkness,
that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.

(With thanks for inspiration from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 2002, Augsburg Fortress, and WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle,  https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/week-8)