Prayer of Intercession
Sunday, 27th December 2020
First Sunday after Christmas
Prepared by Hope Antone 

Let us take to God our concerns for the world, the church, and for one another. 

God of love, you sent Christ Jesus in the fullness of time, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive adoption as your children. Help us move from the sweet experience of his birth into his powerful witness as the Christ. Remind us that Christmas is not about presents and feasts, but of preparing ourselves for a mission of sharing hope, peace, joy and love with this hurting world. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, you entrusted your creation to us that we may care for it and sustain our life through it. Help us understand and respect creation by joining those who work to restore and preserve what you have made. We remember those who have been displaced from their homes, from refugee camps, and those rendered as stateless people. We pray for governments and international organizations to change policies and practices so that all people will feel they belong somewhere. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of peace, send your spirit to guide those in power that they may bring about your peace and justice for all. Regardless of their different political views and positions, may government leaders work together for a better future, especially for the vulnerable and deprived communities. We pray for Hong Kong as it struggles with upholding democratic values and genuine freedom in the current political context. Illumine the hearts of our young people to envision change and transformation despite the seemingly bleak situation. 

God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Savior God, protect all whose work involves risk and danger. We pray for those on the frontlines of dealing with the ongoing pandemic. Guide the scientists as they understand the cause and nature of the coronavirus and its variants. Give us patience and perseverance to do our share to curb the infection and fight against underprivilege and lack of access to health care that makes the disease more deadly. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
God of health and healing, grant your healing touch upon those with health issues – Paul Wong, Lucy Lim, Peter Chan, Sandy Hung, Emad and Nasr, and others whose names we whisper to you from our hearts (silence). Guide those who are working on treatments and cures for diseases, and those attending to the needs of the sick. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new. As we near the end of 2020 and approach the New Year, we are anxious of what 2021 might bring. Reassure us with your loving presence that whatever happens in the coming year, you will be with us; and that with You, we can overcome challenges. Be with our ministers, church leaders and members as we review our ministries at Kowloon Union Church. Grateful for the wonderful work of Timothy Chan as social ministry worker, we pray that you will continue to guide and counsel him on his new journey beyond KUC. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We ask all these through Christ Jesus, who taught his disciples to pray: 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. 

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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 20th December 202

Fourth Sunday in Advent 

Prepared by Rey Asis   

           

Dear God, thank You. You are the invisible hand that has been holding ours as we traverse through what seems to be a most challenging year. 2020 is like an endless obstacle course, with every succeeding game more difficult and trickier than before. Many of us have grown weary, more feeling a bit more anxious, others sad and alone.

But You have never left our side. Yours is the hand that reaches out to us when we fall on the ground. Yours are the arms that lift us when we are feeling down. Yours is the voice that comforts our hearts at times we are troubled. And for this, we thank You.

We come before You, dear God, as we pray for our siblings here and around the world as we go through the COVID-19 pandemic. We pray especially for our migrant brothers and sisters who reel from the impacts of the ongoing crisis. As we commemorate the International Migrants Day, we cannot help but be saddened by the knowledge of millions of migrant workers losing their jobs, or being overworked and underpaid, or being abandoned and excluded from support. We pray that social solidarity, mutual help, and advocacy for equality and respect flourish in the midst of uncertainty as those in authority recognize and uphold migrants’ rights and dignity. 

We bring in our prayers the hundreds of thousands of farmers in India. They have chosen to speak their minds, mobilize in their big number, and call on the government to repeal farm laws that will only corporatize Indian agriculture and leave millions of farmers without land or livelihood. May the interests of farmers in India be upheld and protected and may those in the government be the first to realize this. 

We pray for all those who are still afflicted with the Coronavirus, especially our brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents here in Hong Kong. May they heal without event, their health swiftly restored so they can be with their loved ones this holiday. We pray that in the resolution of this pandemic, the lives of the world’s peoples be esteemed in high order over the interest for profit of big pharmaceutical companies.

In the ecumenical prayer cycle, we lift up in our prayer the people of all faiths and churches in Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan. 

For our congregation, we pray for successful conduct of today’s extraordinary general meeting. We pray for the good health of Paul Wong, Peter Chan, Sandy Hung, Emad and Nasr. 

Like clouds parting a heavy rain or after a flood of tears have flowed from our eyes, everything becomes clear. We thank You for the gift of life, Lord God. As we look forward to the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we look forward to a new year of stronger resolution, of willingness and commitment to spread Your Word and live according to Your commandments. 

Indeed, we cannot face and win battles by ourselves. Of all the things we need, we need You the most as we need one another to course through this ever-continuing journey called life.

This we pray through Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. Let us now pray the Lord’s Prayer: 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. 

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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession
Sunday, 13th December 2020
Second Sunday in Advent
Prepared by Revd Phyllis Wong 

In the season of Advent, we are waiting for Christ's coming and the fulfilment of God's promise. Let us pray to God with trust and hope. 

 

After each prayer item, I will say Jesus Christ, Immanuel, 

 

Congregation will response: Hear our prayer.

United in one spirit, we pray: 

God of justice,

10 December is International Human Rights Day, yet 72 years after the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many people worldwide still suffer from human rights abuses. We pray for all human rights activists; may God strengthen their hearts and keep their faith. We pray for a sweeping change, both in individuals and systems, so that all human beings are treated equally with dignity regardless of one’s political opinion, gender, sex and sexual orientation, religion, race, or social status. Lord, knowing the importance of education, we also pray that new generations will grow up with courage to stand up and hope to endure current injustices. We lift up specifically those who are being oppressed and discriminated against, and those who are imprisoned for championing basic freedoms and fighting for democracy. May God protect them and fill their hearts with peace.

 

Jesus Christ, Immanuel, 

Hear our prayer.

 

God of compassion,

As we reflect on human rights, we pray for the people and situation close to home in the Philippines, Hong Kong and China in particular. In the Philippines, activists and their families have faced unimaginable threats and repression in the form of murder. In these dark days, we pray for their healing and for justice to prevail. Here in Hong Kong, we pray for political leaders, young social activists journalists, church workers, and everyone who have conscience to speak the truth, challenge the abuse of power and continue to serve the needy, even as they face unjust trials, freezing of bank accounts and other challenges. Finally, we uphold in our hearts the human rights lawyers and activists as well as church pastors in mainland China. Although many have been jailed and lost their freedom, we pray for God to reign and comfort the broken hearted.

 

Jesus Christ, Immanuel, 

Hear our prayer.

 

God of unity,

Hong Kong is still enduring the 4th wave of the local coronavirus virus outbreak. We pray for those who face isolation, either due to quarantine or social distancing. Even if people cannot physically gather, may God teach us how to express our love and care for each other. We also pray for the healthcare workers treating patients and tirelessly conducting contact tracing in the frontlines. May they feel supported for their meaningful work.

 

Jesus Christ, Immanuel, 

Hear our prayer.

 

God of Life,

We remember every single person behind the statistics that around the world, 69.5 million people have contracted the coronavirus and 1.6 million people have died. In particular, we pray for the United States, which now has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths. May the departed rest in peace and the sick be healed. We pray for the poor and people of color, who are affected most adversely in such health crisis. O Lord, comfort those under stress and anxiety, knowing that you will provide. May God grant the people and governments the strength and wisdom needed to address health, economic and social issues stemming from the pandemic.

 

Jesus Christ, Immanuel, 

Hear our prayer.

 

God of Unity,

For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle this week, we lift up in prayer the churches and people of all faiths in China, Hong Kong and Macau. 

For our congregation, we pray for Christelle and her family as they move on to a new stage of life in Canada. May God help them to settle well. We pray for God’s healing on Paul Wong, Peter Chan, Sandy Hung, Emad and Nasr. We remember members who are joyfully back home to have reunion with  families for Christmas. But we also pray for those who are not able to go home this year because of the pandemic. May God’s joy be with everyone no matter where they are. We pray for strength and wisdom for ministers and church leaders. We hold Timothy, our children and seniors members in our hearts.  

Jesus Christ, Immanuel, 

Hear our prayer.

To conclude our prayer, let us pray the Lord’s Prayer together:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. 

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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday, 6th December 2020
For the World and Hong Kong

Second Sunday in Advent 

Prepared by Tong Chong Sze

• Yesterday, 5 December, is United Nations World Soil Day. May we be reminded that we have been entrusted by God to take good care of our Earth for all to enjoy instead of exploiting it to profit just an elite few. O God, we look up to you for your wisdom and guidance.

• The World is still in turmoil with tensions erupting all around the world, including the grim situation in Ethiopia where the UNHCR estimates that there are now as many as 100,000 refugees fleeing from the violence and the fighting. And in the Middle East,  an Iranian nuclear scientist was killed in cold blood last Sunday and there had been warning of revenge. We pray for the safety of the people and we pray for restraint from political leaders around the world to put the wellbeing of the people above their political agendas. We pray for reconciliation and a return to peace. O God of mercy, hear our prayer.

• The Covid-19 pandemic continues and is causing more than just health concerns as the world’s economy has also suffered greatly. In HK, the fourth wave of cases have led to a return of more stringent social distancing measures. We continue to pray for the safety and wellbeing of all the frontline healthcare workers, and we also remember all the people whose jobs had been affected by the pandemic and how their livelihoods are being devastated by the social restrictions and the loss in income. O God, grant us peace, comfort and inner strength during these vulnerable and difficult times. We lift up to you to oversee the fair distribution of vaccines in Hong Kong and other parts of the world so that the most vulnerable will have access in a timely manner.

• Winter is approaching and the temperature has dropped sharply in the past few days. We pray that everyone is well prepared for the cold season and we particularly remember the homeless and pray that they have adequate shelter, food and clothing to stay warm and stay healthy.

• We pray for the activists young and old who have been advocating for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong, were arrested without bail or jailed in Hong Kong. May God keep them strong and His justice reign.  

For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
• We lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

For the Congregation
• We pray for the recruitment of the Social Ministry Worker’s position, who will be responsible for the church’s Social Ministries especially the Peace- Making Ministry. We greatly appreciate Timothy’s services to the church especially the peace-making ministry in the past five years. We pray that God will continue to guide him as he moves on in his life journey. 

• We also give thanks to Revd Bud Carroll who had been sharing his wisdom and warm fellowship with KUC for many years. As Bud prepares to return to the United States for good, we pray that God protect his coming and going. May the light of Christ shine upon him and keep him joyful always.

• We rejoice with brother Aimé for his wife Madame Jeanine was recently ordained as pastor in their home country in Africa. May God’s grace and peace be with Jeanine and family to give her strength to serve.