Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 29 March, 2020

Prepared and led by Timothy Chan

Brothers and sisters, let us pray together, for our community and for the world. After each petition, I will say: Lord, in you mercy, and the everyone may respond with: Hear our prayer. Let’s pray:

Lord of Healing, we come before you helpless, crying out for your grace and healing. As we look at the surging number of people infected with coronavirus every day, we remember those who are sick, and their friends and families. We pray that God will comfort each of our sorrowful heart. At the same time Lord, we also pray for those who are in the front line taking care of the sick and needy. May Lord you protect them and give them strength in such critical time.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Lord of grace and mercy, we pray for those whose livelihood is being affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus. Many shops and business are closed, many people are unemployed, many mouths to be fed, and many bills to be paid. Lord, we pray for the government in different countries, to provide and protect the vulnerable and marginalized groups. Lord we ask of your mercy and grace for these people, that Lord you will always be their provider.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Lord of justice and peace, during this time of pandemic, different layers of injustice and inequality are revealed. We see leaders shifting blames, lies being told after another. Some regimes are seizing this time to intensify persecution against their opponents. Lord we pray that all these plans and efforts would go in vain. May your justice and peace shine in our community, raise your people and church to speak and act with honesty, and give our leaders responsibility and integrity when dealing with the pandemic.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Lord of old and young, we pray for the millions of children who could not go to school at this time. We also pray for the old and weak, that more people would extend their care to them. We pray for all migrant workers in Hong Kong, that you will give them extra strength. We pray that the employers will also have extra understanding and care for them. We pray for families that are experiencing different challenges and dynamics in such time. May we all turn to you, to look for guidance and grace.

Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Lord, we uplift our community, Kowloon Union Church, unto your hands. We remember Mrs. Chang, as Mr Chang has gently entered God’s peace last Wednesday, May God you comfort Mrs Chang in this time of loss. As a community, we pray keep praying for those who are experiencing health challenges, especially our senior friends. We pray that you would guide KUC, to be the light and salt in this world, and to extend your love and care to the needy in our community.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

In this ecumenical prayer cycle, we lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths of the Balkans, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia. We pray for reconciliation and peace in the Balkans after years of conflicts and divisions.

Lord, there are so much more to pray for, but we ask of your will be done in us. Let’s pray together with the prayer the Lord has taught us: Our father…

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 22 March, 2020

Prepared and led by Judy Chan

Holy God,

Because you are our shepherd,

we know we lack nothing that truly matters.

Therefore, we come before you this morning

Seeking green pastures and still waters.

Even as we walk through the darkest valleys,

We will not fear with you by our side.

O Good Shepherd, we pray for justice in our unjust world

For victims of violence, terrorism, war and authoritarian regimes

May people of every nation and language repent of their sins

And seek your will by speaking the truth, respecting human rights, and working for lasting peace.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Good Shepherd, we pray for healing during this global epidemic

For those battling the coronavirus whether in hospital, home or quarantine,

Whether as patient, family, or those at risk in the line of duty

May kindness and compassion rule our hearts and cities rather than panic and selfishness.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Good Shepherd, we pray for relief for those suffering financially and emotionally from losses of every kind

Loss of business, loss of job, loss of place, loss of security, loss of family and loved ones.

May we offer hope and care in your name in word and deed in these critical moments.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Good Shepherd, we pray for strength for our students in the coming weeks

For Form 6 Hong Kong students preparing for the DSE public examinations under highly stressful conditions

For students who still cannot attend school, struggling to keep up with their studies online

May we support our young people, their families and educators with encouragement in these difficult days.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Good Shepherd, we pray for all churches and our church as we seek to worship and serve under restricted conditions.

For our pastors and staff, we give thanks for their extraordinary dedication

For our congregation, we give thanks for their great faithfulness.

For our members and friends who are sick or in need of our prayers,

We give thanks and praise for Doris Lee’s sister’s successful spine surgery in US. Continue to strengthen and heal her body. We give thanks for the continued good recovery of our brother Paul after laser eye surgery.

We also remember our senior members, those who are grieving, those on travel, and those trying to get back to Hong Kong. Comfort and protect them always.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Good Shepherd, in the ecumenical prayer cycle, we remember the churches and peoples of Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. We give thanks for religious freedom and an ecumenical spirit after a history of occupation and persecution. We pray for those who are still marginalized, such as the Roma people, and all who have no home, no land, no food, no work, no medicine and no peace.  

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Good Shepherd, Hear and help us, challenge and change us, for surely your goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we look forward to the day when we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 15 March, 2020

Women’s Sunday

Prepared and led by Edwina Antonio, Constance Rubunya, Bruce Van Voorhis

United in one spirit, we uplift our prayer to God.

For every prayer item, we will close with “God, who erases boundaries,” and the congregation will please respond by saying “Hear our prayer.”

On today’s Women’s Sunday, we praise you for your wonderful creation of women in your holy image. We thank you for the women, past and present, who have lived a good life and made tremendous contributions to families and societies that reveal your glory.

God of life, who erases boundaries,

Hear our prayer.

We ask for your healing grace to women and girls who have been suffering from domestic violence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, and different forms of discrimination due to gender bias. May your love comfort them and empower them to accept who they are and be embraced as your beloved daughters and human beings full of dignity.

God of healing, who erases boundaries,

Hear our prayer.

When Hong Kong and many parts of the world have been threatened by the coronavirus crisis, we in particular pray for women who are more adversely affected. They are the grassroots workers who work as cleaners, domestic workers, and health workers taking care of the old and the ill. We remember also single mothers with limited resources who have a greater burden in taking care of their children and families. We seek God’s additional provision for them through a caring community.

God of compassion, who erases boundaries,

Hear our prayer.

We remember marginalized women living in our community: the migrant domestic workers, asylum-seekers and refugees, HIV positive women, sex workers, and sexual minorities, among others. May society receive and embrace them as full human beings and as part of the community. May the contributions of these women to the family and society be recognized.

God of justice, who erases boundaries,

Hear our prayer.

May you give courage to all women to speak up for their plights and for their rights. Give the communities and governments ears to listen and to formulate laws and policies to enhance women’s rights and equality. Empower people in their efforts to build a better world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Strengthen us, God, to stand with men and women who have engaged in advocating gender justice.

God of equals, who erases boundaries,

Hear our prayer.

May women of different conditions help us to recognize your grace is sufficient to transform threats to life, from brokenness to wholeness, human frailty to divine unity.

As we are today celebrating International Women’s Day, let us be reminded by the Book of Ruth to walk together in solidarity with women and to be a faith community which welcomes foreigners. We seek also God’s strength for the church so that it is able to challenge gender bias and transform today’s patriarchal culture with courage.

For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle this week, we lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

God of unity, who erases boundaries,

Hear our prayer.

For our congregation at Kowloon Union Church, we pray for the recovery of Paul Wong, Cecilia and Queenie, as well as the well-being of Mr. Chang when his health is deteriorating. May God give Mrs. Chang strength and uplift her spirits as she takes care of her husband. We pray for our children and their parents when they are not able to come to church for worship and Sunday school in this extraordinary time. May God bless them and protect them.

To conclude our prayer, let us pray together:

Blessed One, our Father and our Mother, Holy is your name.

May your love be enacted in the world.

May your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread,

and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For all that we do in your love

and all that your love brings to birth

and the fullness of love that will be

are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 8 March, 2020

Prepared and led by Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro

I now invite you now to join in the prayers for the people.

When I say, “We cry for your mercy.”

The congregation may please answer: “O God, hear our prayer”

For the World, China, and Hong Kong

·        O God, you are our Mother who sheltered us under your wings in times of difficulties and crises. Today, March 8, we commemorate the International Women’s Day. We thank you for women’s lives and we celebrate women’s contribution and roles in various areas of life: family, local, national and international communities. We remember that many women and girls are still suffering from various kinds of violence, discrimination and violation of rights. We pray for the wellbeing of all women and girls, especially for the abused, marginalized and poor, and for the activists who have been struggling to promote gender equality and social justice. 

As a church, help us open our eyes and be keen to see the sexual abuses happening even within Christian communities and try all means to address it and prevent it. We celebrate the theme of International Women’s Day this year: “Each for Equal.” Let us not just pray, but help us act on our prayer so that each one of us will create a more equal, just, and compassionate communities. Prod us to create safe spaces where women and men can live a just life and contribute their God-given gifts to build a more life-sustaining world that reveals God’s Kingdom. Parent God, we cry for your mercy.

People: O God, hear our prayer. 

·         As we continue to celebrate the International Women’s Day today, we lift up to God in our prayers the intersexed people –

women and girls – for their safety;

that the medical systems will no longer harm the intersexed children,

that the parents of intersexed children and the society will accept them as they are.

    We pray for all intersexed people and their families, that they

            may receive adequate support and medical assistance in times

of crisis, disasters and epidemics.

     God our Creator, we cry for your mercy.

      People: O God, hear our prayer.

·        The novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has now infected more than a hundred thousand people across the world. More than 3,300 have died as of Friday. While a large majority of the deaths were in China, we are alarmed that deaths in other countries like Italy and Iran have grown, where 107 people in each country have died. Reports have confirmed cases in the US and Europe. We keep praying for the recovery of those who are ill; for peace to those who are in isolation and fear. We particularly remember those who are vulnerable and suffer more in the midst of this coronavirus crisis, such as the poor, migrant domestic workers and refugees. We pray for those who lost their jobs and livelihood because of this crisis. Yet, we also thank you, O God, for the concerted efforts in the community to combat the virus and different sectors helping each other in the time of trial. We pray for the medical health workers who attend to the patients, risking their own health, and all who are working in high risks jobs. Parent God, we cry for your mercy.

People:  O God, hear our prayer.

·        We are sad that the Hong Kong government came down with a policy that denied legally married same-sex couples the right to apply for public housing. But we rejoice that the High Court declared such policy as unlawful and against the Constitution. We pray that the dignity and equal rights of sexual minorities be upheld as they are also God’s beloved and holy creation. We pray for the protection of sexual minorities who continue to suffer in homophobic contexts. Parent God, we cry for your mercy.

People: O God, hear our prayer.

For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

We lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths of Denmark, Faroe Islands, Findland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. We give thanks for: 1) The governments, NGOs and churches that are advocating and implementing measures to redress climate crisis. 2) Their efforts in building a gender equal society through education and social policies. 

We pray for: 1) the poor and marginalized who struggle in these rich countries; 2) growing openness to becoming more multi-ethnic, multi-faith societies; 3) those who are affluent that they will contribute to making the world and their societies more just for all; 4) personal and investment practices that support environmental sustainability; 5) a Church that is prepared to be a voice in the struggle for indigenous people rights. We stand in solidarity with them, and yet, Parent God, we continue to cry for your mercy.

People: O God, hear our prayer.

For the Congregation

·        We pray for and remember members and friends who are working as heath care workers, carers for the sick & elderly as well as cleaners for they are more at risk in contracting virus at work.

·        Pray for the well-being and health of our senior members and friends: Mrs Samuel, Peter Chan & Judy Yui, Mr & Mrs Chang, Dorothy Wong & Revd Kwok Nai Wang, Bud Carroll and Hans Lutz, amongst all others. Remember Mr Chang who was admitted to hospital last week. Pray for his healing and recovery, and pray for all who are sick and who have health issues.

·        Amie’s brother Jun died of heart-attack in the Philippines last week. May Jun rest in God’s peace. Remember and pray for Amie, Amor and their family in this time of loss.

·        We lift them up in our prayers, O Parent God, and we cry for your mercy.

People: O God, hear our prayer.

And now, let us say together the Lord’s prayer.  You may do so in your preferred language.  

Our Father

Who art in heaven

Holy be your name

Your kingdom come, your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our sins

As we forgive those who have sinned against u.

Lead us not into temptation

And deliver us from evil

For yours is the kingdom and the power

And the glory forever.

Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 1 March, 2020

Prepared and led by Cecilia Yeung

Jesus reaffirms his supreme trust in God in times of temptation. With faith like his, let us call on God to hear our prayer. After each petition, I will end with “Lord, hear us.” Please join me in saying “Lead us not into temptation.” Let us pray.

God of Faith, we lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths of Ireland and United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales. We pray for the ecumenical and interfaith movements. May we all learn to respect and resolve differences not by isolation but with the patience you have shown to us.

Lord, hear us. 

All: Lead us not into temptation.

God of Justice, we pray for all who have suffered from religious persecution around the world. In particular, this week, we remember our Islamic brothers from  Delhi who have suffered brutal abuses and death. May their testimony bear fruit in your ways. Help us and the world not to judge, discriminate or persecute others because of one’s culture, race and faith.

Lord, hear us.

All: Lead us not into temptation.

God of Unity, we pray for the global situation of the coronavirus, especially we remember countries like Japan, Korea and Italy. May you provide wisdom, support and funding to the leaders and medical professional to carry our appropriate measures. Help the world not to blame each other, but to combat the virus together as one.

Lord, hear us.

All: Lead us not into temptation.

God of Life, we pray for those who have died in recent days. We remember those who have lost their battles with the virus and disease and we remember the many who find life too difficult to bear, and choose to end their lives at this time of uncertainty and economic downturn. May their loved ones be led through the darkness of death to the light of life. Help us to remember that there is no bigger problem which cannot be solved by you.

Lord, hear us.

All: Lead us not into temptation.

God of Love, we pray for the churches and local communities in Hong Kong. Especially we remember the teachers, parents and children who face challenges in new ways of teaching and learning. Sweep away all fear and worries as we continue our daily routines.

Lord, hear us.

All: Lead us not into temptation.

In ancient times you led your people through wilderness to the promised land. Bless us now as we start our desert journey with Jesus, your beloved Son, who is Lord for ever and ever. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.