Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 11 April 2021
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Prepared by Robert Lam

Lord, in the midst of Covid pandemic, we remember your presence with us and in the world. No matter how grim the situation is, we are reminded of your presence and your love. 

Lord, at this time, we pray for the grave situation in India where the daily infection rate is a few hundred thousand people. We pray that the country and the Government will be able to organise and provide oxygen and other medical supplies to the hospitals, that those who are sick can be attended to. We also pray for Brazil where Covid infections are high. 

Here in Hong Kong, Lord, we give thanks to the availability of vaccines. We pray that those taking the vaccines would have lesser life-threatening side effects. We pray that Covid can be brought under control. 

In Hong Kong, we also continue to pray on the changes that have come after the National Security Act. We pray for a fair and impartial judiciary system. 

We pray about the changes to the Legco composition and   the selection committee for the Chief Executive. We pray that the freedom that Hong Kong has enjoyed can continue to be maintained, the freedom to speak out about the faults and shortcomings of the Government. 

We pray particularly for the Educational Sector, for the teachers and students in developing critical thinking in students, be it in Liberal Studies or studies related to National Security. We pray for your wisdom as to how this should be taught. 

We continue to pray for those  in the community which have been disillusioned by the recent changes in Government policies and are considering leaving Hong Kong. We pray that you would give them wisdom as they decide on the next course of action. 

In the ecumenical cycle of prayer, we remember the people and churches of all faith in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. We pray for greater harmony between different faiths and beliefs. We pray for greater respect for human rights. 

Here in Kowloon Union Church, we pray for Bruce and Rose in their loss of Bruce’s mother Irene. We pray for KUC members who are not feeling well. We pray for Jeanette in her ongoing medical treatment. 

We pray all these in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,

Amen

Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 18 April 2021
Third Sunday of Easter - Wai Ji Sunday


Let us Pray…
讓我們一同禱告

1) Dear Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for our Wai Ji Sunday.
We are so blessed, together with our sisters and brothers, the service users of WJ, we can worship you during this pandemic moment; talk to you and listen to your word.

仁慈的天父，感謝您給予我們, 有這個美好的懷智主日。
我們感恩，疫情之下, 能夠再次與我們的弟兄姐妹, 懐智的服務使用者 聚在一起敬拜你，聆聽你的話語。

2) Father, We give you thanks for your guidance all these years for Wai Ji,

We pray for Wai JI:

We pray for the protection of our clients living in care homes, as the pandemic has kept them from outside activities or visits. May God keep them a healthy body with a peaceful & joyful heart.

我哋為懐智禱告
天父，這些年來，我們感謝您對懷智 的關顧 / 領導
求主保守在疫情下住在院舍不能外出活動及接受探訪的服務使用者，保守他們有健康的身體及平安喜樂的心。

• May our Lord protect our users who will be receiving COVID　vaccines, especially the elderly. We pray for their health following vaccinations;

• 求主保守將會接種疫苗的服務使用者，尤其是年老的，保守他們接種疫苗後繼續有健康的身體；

• We pray for the parents of our service users who still bear caretaking responsibilities every day. Father, may you lift their burdens such that they are gifted with peace and hope.

• 求主保守仍然需要每日照顧服務使用者的父母，求主為他們挪開生活上的重擔，並得著平安與盼望。

• Father, we pray for our Directors, workers and volunteers, Especially, we pray for Michael, our New Chief Executive of Wai Ji Christian Service, Lord, please Give them strength and wisdom with a Faithful Heart to serve our service users and their families.

• 求主保守 - 基督教懷智服務處的 董事、同工、義工 , 特別為到Michael, 我哋新一任總幹事禱告，求主給于他們力量及智慧, 忠誠的心 服侍使用者及他們的家人。

Father, we pray for HK and for the world, we pray for the government and leaders in HK & countries over the world, may God give them wisdom and a faithful heart to protect their citizens and work together in order to overcome the challenges under this pandemic situations.

天父，我們為香港和世界祈禱，我們為世界各國政府和領導人祈禱，願天父賜予佢地智慧和忠誠的心，在這個關鍵時刻 - 以保護他們的公民並共同努力，以克服這一挑戰大流行情況 。

We pray for our congregation:
Father, we pray for our church members and friends, may your Holy Spirit be with us always especially when we are weak in our body and
in our spirit. We remember those who are not able to join us today.
我們為 我地的教會祈禱：
天父，我們為我們的教會成員和朋友禱告，願你的聖靈永遠與我們同在.
我們記念到今天因為身體 / 工作 /隔離而無法係我地當中出席的人。
求主保守佢地。

We pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.
以上禱告, 奉主耶穌基督聖名祈求, 阿們。

Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 11 April 2021
Second Sunday of Easter
Prepared by Amber Tong

Brothers and sisters, let us humble our hearts and unite our voices in prayer. After each intercession, I will say "God of Mercy" and the congregation shall respond "Hear our prayer."

Lord, in this past week we recognized two special days that reminded us of our shared humanity and history. On Holocaust Remembrance Day Israel stopped all traffic to remember the 6 million victims of the Holocaust. Monday was the International Day of Conscience, which is dedicated to promote a culture of Peace with Love and Conscience. O God, indeed, sustainable peace must be founded upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind, and requires comprehensive educational, cultural, social and civic action in which everyone has something to contribute for sharing. The lesson is especially important as international tension mounts in many parts of the world today. We pray for your presence o Lord in the international community so that it in unison to reflect on our past failings and double up on our efforts to build this universal culture of peace for all.

God of mercy,

Hear our prayer.

The covid-19 pandemic is still affecting the whole world, touching lives everywhere and even within our own church. In some countries, the situation seems to be getting worse despite the rollout of vaccines. Amidst the sadness and fear, we are heartened to hear uplifting news such as the story of a 104-year-old Colombian woman who managed to beat the coronavirus twice. We thank God for her healing and that of others which give us hope and lift out spirits. You are the giver and taker of life. We celebrate all your gifts and pray that we will seek your will when you take away.

God of mercy,

Hear our prayer

Here in Hong Kong, we have always taken much pride in our free and independent media, which is crucial for any democratic society. But a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute showed that public perception of Hong Kong media’s independence and credibility is now at a record low since records began in 1993, with 48% of those surveyed expressing dissatisfaction with the state of press freedom in the city while 41% described local news media as irresponsible in their reporting. We pray that the media agencies and the authorities work in earnest to help protect the Freedom of the Press which is a fundamental human right as well as a balancing platform to ensure that the multiplicity of voices be heard and that public bodies be held accountable.

God of mercy,

Hear our prayer.

The season of spring has come upon us and the weather last month in Hong Kong has been warmer and drier than usual, with monthly mean temperature reaching 22 degrees Celsius, the highest on record for the month of March. This is a stark reminder for all of us of the peril of global warming. We pray that the authorities as well as leaders of big corporations put environmental issues high on their agenda. We also pray that every one of us do our part in protecting our mother earth, less waste, recycle more, and be the good steward that the Lord had instructed us to be.

God of mercy,

Hear our prayer.

For the ecumenical prayer cycle we lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania. We are thankful for the blending of Christian traditions and practices, from the West and East. We pray for the faithful witness of churches amid political changes; those working for more democratic governance in these countries; those who welcome newcomers. We prayed for marginalized communities within these countries, and their own harmony with the broader European community.

God of mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Dear God we are grateful for the chance to worship and gather in person, a blessing we have now learned not to take for granted. We pray for those who have prepared to attend preparation class for baptism, which will start on April 15 and finish by June 3. May God work in your marvelous and mysterious ways to call people you have predestined to this journey of becoming a follower of Christ.

We pray for KUC members and friends and their family members who are sick and walking in the last stage of life due to aging.

In particular, we remember Jeanette who will undergo surgery next week.

God of mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer. You may say in your own language.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday 4 April 2021

Easter Sunday

Prepared by Revd Joram Calimutan, 

Revd Grace Bok and Revd Phyllis Wong

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has overcome the power of death. His resurrection gives us hope amidst hopelessness, light amidst insurmountable darkness. May I invite you for a people’s prayer and let us bring our concerns and expression of solidarity through our collective response. After every petition, please respond Risen Lord – Hear our prayer.

Let us pray.

O God of life and history, we bring to you our concern brought by the destruction of your creation. Greedy capitalists who own big mining companies, plantations and logging industries, flattening hills and mountains, poisoning our waters and destroying creation in the name of so-called development are killing people, destroying their source of livelihood and disregarding human rights and dignity particularly the indigenous people. Grant us courage O God, to stand in solidarity with indigenous sisters and brothers of ours in their struggle to protect the environment and defend their rights for ancestral domain and self-determination.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!

O God of justice and peace, we bring our concern to you brought by the endless war happening in Yemen, Syria and other parts of the globe while countries are still reeling the impact of pandemic crisis. Thousands of innocent lives—women and children had been lost while millions wallow in abject poverty and destitution amidst this war that benefits the US and its allied nation. Grant us O God, the wisdom and compassion of the leaders of governments so that they may find a just resolution to conflict and uplift the lives of people devastated in war torn countries.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!

Led by Revd Grace Bok

Back in Asia, Hong Kong has seen a rise in imported Covid-19 cases, with the majority coming from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and the Philippines. A "double mutant" coronavirus variant was even discovered in India. Variants have also had an impact on Japan, where the virus has seen a serious resurgence and led the country into a fourth wave of the pandemic. Oh Lord, this is the second Easter we are experiencing in an extremely painful, extremely challenging environment.

Risen Lord

Hear our Prayer!

 

Around the world, approximately 130 million people have been infected, and over 2.8 million have died. Illness and death are so close; fear and isolation are palpable. This pandemic has forced us to grapple with the powerlessness of being human. This powerlessness is exactly the beginning of faith. Because we're helpless, we learned to lean on God;  Because we're limited, we learned to love and cherish what we have. Betrayed, convicted and nailed on the cross, our powerless Christ understands our vulnerability, our powerlessness. Through resurrection, you granted us the power to face illness and death, the courage to face fear and isolation!

Risen Lord

Hear our Prayer!

The protests against military coup in Myanmar persists in multiple regions.

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement strongly condemning the violence against peaceful protesters, causing the deaths of hundreds of civilians including women and children. Christ, please hear our voices -- you hear the cries of all the victims of war and violence; you hear the wails of the people trapped in tyranny and the establishment. Through resurrection, you give us hope where there was disappointment, and joy where there was grief.

Risen Lord

Hear our Prayer!

In the worst train crash in Taiwan for decades, a passenger train derailed, leading to the death of at least 50 people according to the authorities. Another 118 are injured and sent to hospitals. Lord, to see such a tragic accident on the first day of a long holiday in Taiwan is immensely sorrowful.

What a sudden arrival death can make! Through resurrection, we see through death. We don't ask about how to live, but how to die. Therein lies the way to a good life. May the Spirit help and comfort the Taiwanese people, especially the families of those who died or suffered injuries. May God also guide the government to give their all in medical, compensation and recovery efforts.

Risen Lord

Hear our Prayer!

Led by Revd Phyllis Wong

As purple gives way to gold, hear our prayers Oh God for times of suffering, in a world that is unjust for too many. May we live towards wholeness.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!

As thorns give way to crowns, hear our prayers Oh God for oppression in our land by trade that is imbalanced. May we live towards equality and liberation for all.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!

As tombs give way to gardens, hear our prayers Oh God for worries that keep us and all who are sick from flourishing in your care. May we live towards your shalom.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!

As yesterday gives way to tomorrow, hear our prayers Oh God for the future that holds too much uncertainty or loneliness. May we live towards your vision.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!

As distressed disciples give way to the hope of a new church community, hear our prayers Oh God for stronger faith and courage to advance your Kingdom of love, justice and peace. May we live faithful as one body to witness Christ’s forgiving grace, unity and salvation for all.

Risen Lord

Hear our prayer!