Prayer of Intercession
Sunday, 8 April, 2018
(Second Sunday of Easter)
Prepared and led by Edwina
Antonio
As we celebrate the Second Week of Easter, we
remember the early disciples of Jesus who are hiding themselves from the
authorities that persecuted and crucified Jesus. Yet, when Jesus appears in the
midst of his disciples their fear from the authorities and darkness were gone.
They found the peace in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus and following
Jesus’ teachings and examples.
As we prepare ourselves for the people’s prayer let
us remember the poor and powerless in many urban and rural communities who are
living in fear, persecuted and oppressed by those in power. Let us pray for the
church so that they find the courage to journey and stand in solidarity with
these people and faithfully proclaim the liberating message of Jesus. In every
prayer and petition may I invite you to respond with a song;
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God of life and history, we remember the horror
and the groaning of 6 million Jews who died in Holocaust together with the
homosexuals, members of Jehovah’s Witness and the Roma (gypsies) who are
also persecuted and died during the darkest period of our history. Let this
darkest year of history be a learning for every one of us, so that such horrors
and complete disregard of person’s humanity should not be repeated in our
present times and future. Moreover, may it be a challenge to every government
to rectify such history by respecting the essence of being human particularly
the humanity of the poor, the deprived and the oppressed.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that give us the
courage to proclaim the Good News to the poor, we stand in solidarity with the
American people in commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr
especially during this time where migrants, immigrants, people of color and
marginalized sectors in US are experiencing racial discrimination, deportation,
xenophobia and other forms of harassment under the Trump administration. Let
the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. of equality for all be a moving message to
fight all forms of racial discrimination, abuse, exploitation and all forms
human rights violations.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God you promised us
with abundant life, we firmly believe that it is not according to your will and
purpose where China and the US are engaging in trade war for the sole purpose
of advancing their imperialist agenda of taking control of the world resources
at the expense of millions who are suffering from hunger, destitution and
greed. Let this ongoing trade war between China and the US serve as a wake up
call for many small, poor and developing countries of Asia and of the world
like the Philippines to do the necessary solutions to minimize the economic
impact of such war to the lives and livelihood of people in the communities
especially the poor.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that empowers the
poor and powerless like the widow, women and other marginalized sectors. We
rejoiced with Malala
Yousafzai for her first homecoming since 9 October 2012. At the same time, we
also pray and stand in solidarity with Ahed Tamimi and the many Palestinian
children who are standing for justice and freedom. Let Malala Yousafzai, Ahed
Tamimi and millions of women and children experience full respect of their
human rights and dignity. Let us work for a community where children are given
equal opportunities and where human rights, justice and peace prevail.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that protects the community from all the
dangers and harm. We pray for the ongoing construction of an artificial island
at mega Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. Let the authority exercise full
transparency of the on going construction that takes seriously the state of
environment and the safety of the communities living nearby the ongoing construction.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that empowers the people to speak the truth and strengthen their
resolve to fight for justice and human rights. We remember Benny Tai Yiu-ting
and the many human rights defenders in China and the Philippines who are being
monitored, harassed and charged with trumped up charges while speaking the
truth and standing up in solidarity with victims of extra-judicial killings and
all forms of human rights violations. Let God who actively works in our midst
protect them, provide comfort for their families and strengthen their resolve
to continue their noble of fighting for freedom of speech, human rights,
justice and peace.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that provides sanctuary and refuge for the disposessed, exploited
and neglected. We remember the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge that serves
as a sanctuary and refuge for many distressed foreign domestic workers in Hong
Kong in their struggle for survival and continuation of their ministry for
migrants. Let God’s love and compassion for the distressed migrants work with
people and organizations who are more than willing to give financial support
for the Bethune House to continue its mission of providing shelter and
empowering the distressed migrants in Hong Kong.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God the author of life. We remember our sisters who are about to give
birth to their children. Let God’s comfort and healing be with our sisters
during their pregnancy and especially while giving birth to their children.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that give us wisdom and humility. We remember the students who are
preparing for their examinations. Let God give wisdom to students so that they
can pass the scheduled examination with humility and gratitude to their
families, teachers and people who help them succed.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God that entrusted the Church with Jesus’ ministry
of love, compassion and justice. We remember the upcoming Annual General
Assembly of Kowloon Union Church. Let the AGM happens according to your will
and purpose as we members and church workers of KUC listen to the reports, make
actions and elect new leaders of the church council.
O Lord, hear our prayer
O Lord, hear our prayer
When we call, answer us
O God of all nations. We pray for the people and
churches of Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. In one spirit, we pray
for sustainable development in these countries. While the economy is developed
to serve all people, we pray that adequate measures are installed to protect
the environment and to end practices that may harm the air, soil and forests.
We pray that people of different ethnicities live in harmony and peace. May the
children receive adequate education, young people
find decent jobs and elderly provided health care they need.
As we
conclude our prayer of the people. Let us all pray, the prayer that Jesus
taught us. You may pray it in your own language.
Our Father
who art in heaven,
hallowed
be thy name.
Thy
kingdom come.
Thy
will be done
on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give
us this day our daily bread,
and
forgive us our trespasses,
as
we forgive those who trespass against us,
and
lead us not into temptation,
but
deliver us from evil.
For
thine is the kingdom,
and
the power, and the glory,
for
ever and ever.
Amen.
