Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 28 July, 2019

Prepared and led by Emelia Pobee

Heavenly father, we praise and magnify your holy name. We thank you for all your guidance and protection and all that you do for us in our lives.

This morning, we come again before you committing the world into your hands. We pray for the people of India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan as severe floods have left many dead and several people homeless in these countries. We pray that you comfort those who have lost family members and that you give hope to those left behind as they try and start a new life. We pray that their governments will take precautionary measures to avert any outbreak of flood related disasters especially where sanitation and water delivery systems are damaged. May world leaders take serious actions and implement policies to respond to global climate changes.

We pray for the people of Congo where an outbreak of Ebola has claimed more than 1,500 lives. We pray for strength for frontline workers physically and spiritually. We also pray that a result proven vaccine can be developed against this disease.

In the mainland, persecution of the Christian faith is on the rise. We pray that you O lord will strengthen the faith of pastors and members of churches under prosecution and give them protection and peace.

We pray for Hong Kong as protests against the extradition bill continues. We especially pray for victims who were attacked at Yeun Long following the protests last week. We pray for healing for those who are injured and traumatized. Oh Lord, quiet the soul of the people and help this city restore her reputation for stability and peacefulness.

In our ecumenical prayer cycle, we pray for the people and churches of the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. We pray for fair and elections and political stability in these regions and economic development that shall benefit all especially the vulnerable. May the witness of the churches and all faith groups continue to be strong.

For our congregation, we pray for members and friends who are facing health challenges and going through treatment and medication. We particularly pray for Ramon Bultron who will have heart surgery tomorrow. We pray for success of the surgery and a good recovery.

We also pray for renovation plans of the church building scheduled to start in October.

We commit our upcoming summer vacation bible school for the kids as well as the different activities to celebrate the 95^th anniversary of the church. May you O Lord continue to guide KUC to serve with vision and courage.

This we pray through your son Jesus Christ, Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 21 July, 2019

Prepared and led by Bruce Van Voorhis

God of Hope, there are many concerns today in our hearts; our spirits are weary from the many issues facing us and your people around the world. Bless our community and your world with hope, Lord.

God of Compassion, we lift up to you today the people of South Asia affected by the recent fatal floods in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. We pray for your comfort for those who have lost their family members and friends and immediate relief for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. We also ask for water for those cities in India whose reservoirs are almost dry and their groundwater is precariously low. May the leaders of South Asia and all countries around the world take meaningful actions to address climate change that is believed to have created these adversities. Bless these people with compassion, Lord.

God of Mercy, we lift up to you today the people of India, especially Muslims in the Northeast of the country, who are required to bring documents to what are called Foreigners Tribunals to prove their citizenship. Often poor and illiterate, they frequently do not possess these documents and thus potentially face detention, deportation and/or the loss of their citizenship. We pray that the Indian government will cease what appears to be a discriminatory policy towards our Muslim brothers and sisters and instead implement policies that respond to their poverty. Bless these people with mercy, Lord.

God of Life, we lift up to you today the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo who are facing the deadly Ebola virus. Not only must health workers treat the victims and try to protect themselves from this fatal disease, but they also face being attacked by armed militias in the country’s long civil conflict and the suspicions of patients and their families who do not bring their infected relatives to health clinics or avail themselves of an experimental vaccine. We ask that you will soothe the pain of the families of those who have succumbed to this disease, and we pray that the virus will not spread and infect more people. May health clinics and health workers no longer be targeted by the militias, and, indeed, may the political issues of the country be resolved through dialogue and not violence. We pray too that leaders responsible for combating Ebola will be guided by you to find an answer to make this incurable disease curable. Bless these people with life, Lord.

God of Justice, we lift up to you today Buddhist monks and nuns in Tibet who have been expelled from a spiritual teaching and meditation center in Sichuan Province in China and sent to their hometowns to undergo so-called re-education in detention centers. We also remember the more than one million Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province who have been sent to concentration camps for what the government describes as “vocational training.” We pray that the Chinese government will not only profess that religious freedom is respected in the country but that their words are reflected in their actions so that all people of all ethnic groups can practice their faith freely and not be detained for their faith and culture. Bless these people with justice, Lord.

God of Wisdom, we lift up to you today the people of Hong Kong. For more than a month, our city has been divided over an extradition bill proposed by the government.  Violence has often erupted between the police and protesters with scores of people sent to the hospital and arrested. We pray for your wisdom to guide our community out of its spiral of tension, division and violence. Put us, Lord, on the path to dialogue and reconciliation. May the government listen to the voices of the people and react with responses that reflect their will. Bless our city with wisdom, Lord.

God of Peace, we lift up to you today with others around the world as part of the global ecumenical prayer cycle the people and churches of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. For too long, Lord, the people of these lands have suffered from conflict, tribal divisions, poverty and corruption. We pray that your peace will be restored to these lands, that the people of different tribes will see themselves in the reflection of others. We also pray for good governance and an end to corruption. May the upcoming election campaign in Burundi be non-violent and the elections free and fair, and may the recent threats, arrests and killing of human rights activists in the country cease. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we ask that women who have endured sexual violence receive justice and counseling for the trauma they have experienced; and in Rwanda, may the scars of genocide heal. Bless these people with peace, Lord.

God of Health, we lift up to you today those in our own faith community of Kowloon Union Church. We remember and pray for Lucy, Ramon, Jenny, Sandy, Shirley and the Rev. Kwok Nai-wang as well as the mothers of Regina, Pearl and Wincy. May they have renewed health, energy and strength. Bless our members with health, Lord.

We lift up all of these prayers to you, Lord, in your Son’s name. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 14 July, 2019

Prepared and led by Phyllis Wong

United in one Spirit and one heart, we pray to God for the world and the church. In each prayer petition, I would end with these words: Lord, moved with pity. Sisters and brothers from the congregation please join in by saying: Hear our pray.

God of life,

You are Creator who cherishes all lives made in your holy image. We pray for those who lost their lives in wars and human made accidents. We remember the people in Papua New Guinea who have been suffering from the tribal warfare. At least 24 people, including two pregnant women and their unborn children, were killed in a three-day tribal violence. We pray that human lives are valued and well preserved. May the peace of the people and the country be restored.

We pray for those who lost their lives in the train crash in Pakistan. May God comfort those who lost their beloved and heal the injured.

Lord, moved with pity

Hear our pray.

God of love and peace,

Recent research conducted by the Hong Kong University has revealed that there are increasing numbers of people suffering from depression due to the recent political and social unrest related to the movement against the Extradition Bill. Pray to God for his merciful healing to people who have been traumatized. Pray for all professionals who have been faithfully serving Hong Kong and engaging in healing for the physically, psychologically and spiritually wounded people.

While we have no tolerance to violence of all kinds and stand against police excessive use of force against peaceful protesters, we are very worried about the increasing conflicts and antagonism between protesters and police. May God bless the city of HK with the spirit of love and let peace dwell in every corner of the community especially in where there is protest and hatred. We pray to God to soften the heart of the government and leaders in society who have power, to address the current political crisis with compassion and wisdom. May they be reminded that they should use the power to serve the people but not for their own interest.

Lord, moved with pity

Hear our pray.

God of justice,

We continue to pray for all ethnic minorities in China. May their cultures and religious freedom be respected, and basic human dignity be upheld.

We remember and pray for those who are being mistreated by the government because of human rights activities in China, in the Philippines, in many countries in Africa and in other parts of the world. May God strengthen the faith of those who are being persecuted and set them free in body and in spirit. May God’s justice prevail in places where oppression is found. May God’s light shine in the darkness and give hope to the righteous.

Lord, moved with pity

Hear our pray.

God of community,

Jesus called the church to be united and serve as one body. We pray for sisters and brothers who are not well. We remember Regina’s mother who was admitted to the hospital last week. May God heal and give her peace. We pray for the recovery of Angelica and her mother Grace. We are thankful to see Lucy’s good progress in her road of recovery. We give thanks to God for Harry and Candy for their marriage and wonderful wedding ceremony on Saturday. By your grace, may they grow in love and build a home with joy and happiness.

We pray for strength to the congregation so that we can serve the church and the society with strong faith and commitment. Bless the works of our hands Oh God so that whatever we do will bring you honor and glory.

In the ecumenical cycle this week, we pray for the people and churches of Djibouti and Somalia:

We pray for their natural environment to be well preserved. We pray that the people in these countries live a life of peace and abundance. Pray for good governance and stable government so that people do not need to leave their home for good. But for those who have fled this area, may they be welcomed in new homelands.

Lord, moved with pity

Hear our pray.

To close our people’s prayer, let us share the Lord’s Prayer taught by Jesus. You are welcome to say in your own language. Today I will pray this in Cantonese.