Prayer of Intercession

Sunday 27 June 2021 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 

Prepared by Peter Youngblood

Let us pray for all God’s people, both far and near.

We pray for the world. 

While we have made progress in overcoming the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are still suffering due to the unequal distribution of vaccines and other medicines. The Covax program, created to overcome this inequality has distributed almost 100 million doses, but that is nowhere near enough, especially since many regions are facing a third wave of outbreak. We pray that richer nations can speed up their donations to Covax and these developing countries. 

We continue to pray for the migrant children stuck at the US Border, who face disease, hunger, and abuse. We pray that these precious children be treated with compassion and be given temporary shelter, and that they may be eventually resettled or reunited with their families.

As we pray, we remember the continued struggle for democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. Pro-democracy protests have begun again in Thailand. Despite police warnings, hundreds gathered at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok to protest against the leaders who came to power in the 2014 coup. 

Seeing so many struggling brings us hope, but we also mourn the violence, pain, and death that accompanies it. The people of Myanmar continue to struggle, against all odds, against their own illegitimate government. They face a hard road to peace, so we pray for them. We pray that their leaders come to choose compassion and compromise over force. And we certainly pray for those caught in the middle of the conflict, particular the poor and minorities.

We pray for those affected by natural and man-made disasters. Our hearts go out to the victims of the apartment collapse in Florida. We pray for the families and friends who anxiously await news of their loved one.

We pray for China. 

This country is not a monolith, and we resist attempts to stereotype or demonize its people. Yet we ask, Lord, that your Spirit continue to be with those oppressed by its system. We pray that its government give access to Xinjiang and Tibet to those in the UN who have called for an investigation, and we pray that the country’s violence against its own people will cease. 

We pray for our city. 

Hong Kong continues to grieve its losses, which seem to come each and every day. This past week, Apple Daily printed its last edition on Thursday morning. Even until the end, people showed their support and thankfulness for a newspaper that, while not perfect, sought to speak truth to power. Many remain in prison or face trial for attempting to speak that truth, like Apple’s Jimmy Lai and Tong Ying-Kit, whose national security trial began this week. We pray that not man’s brutal justice, but your justice—a justice built on love—guide the outcomes of these cases. And we ask that, as with the people of Myanmar and Thailand, the people of Hong Kong can also find a way to fill the void that has been left after so many arrests. We hope that people can still have their voices heard. 

As part of our Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, 

we lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths in Kenya and Tanzania. Almighty God we are thankful for your gift of nature, and for the rich diversity of wildlife that can be found in these countries. We pray that they can develop freely, peacefully, and sustainably, without exploitation by other nations. We pray for hospitality between the different religions in these countries, particularly between Christians and Muslims, and we hope that these cultures can continue to reject discrimination and violence toward each other, and toward those of different genders and sexual orientations. 

We also pray for those closer to home, and well known in our hearts. 

In our congregation, we remember Asha Melwani, mother of Alex and Mrs. Samuel. For her, we ask for the healing presence of Your Spirit. We continue to remember Jeanette Lee, the sister of Doris, who has completed her chemotherapy. We also pray for Doris, who is experiencing numbness of her hand. We also remember Rachel Tan the niece of Lucy Lim, Rachel Perry the niece of Tory Caplan and Mirasol Bolanos sister of Anjanette. We pray also for our dear sister Jenny Alegre, who has gone back to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.

Almighty God, in the face of such challenges and threats, we prayer also for ourselves. We call upon Your Spirit to fill our hearts. With full hearts, our resolve is strengthened, and our minds sharpened. With full hearts, we can pray and live not in hopelessness and fear, but with the hope that comes through faith. And most importantly, with our own full hearts we can pray for those whose hearts need filling. We pray for the poor, the marginalized, the abused, and the killed. It is through our prayers that we send love and strength outward into the world - world that desperately needs healing. 

With the strength of your Spirit and the Love of your Son Jesus Christ, we meet the challenges of the times.

Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday 20 June 2021 

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 

Prepared by Constance Chaukura

The intercessory prayers that we will lift to God in today’s service are beautifully crafted by Nasr, Annjannett, Brice, Aline and myself. They are our humble offering to God who has always been there with us in every step of our journey. Let us pray.

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Almighty God, we first of all pray for an end to wars,  violence, human rights abuses, and poverty as this evil too kills people, separates families, harms the most vulnerable and is a constant companion resulting to people to become refugees.

Papa of love, Lord of grace, we give big thanks to You. It is our privilege that You give us today to be here. In this special moment we think about our family, our friends whom we have lost or who are far away from us. Lord, be with them whenever they may be, bless them and provide the necessities they need. 

We pray for all whose desperation has forced them to leave their countries and for their families seeking safety and protection for their lives. For those who are escaping brutal wars. For those fleeing from religious persecution. For those looking for hope in hopeless situations. May we look beyond our own fears and concerns to the needs of those who have nothing, risk everything and depend on the kindness of strangers.

We pray for the hearts of the young, the old and the most vulnerable among them. Protect them,  both body and soul. Heal the hearts of refugees who have endured unimaginable tragedy and trauma. Guide all parents so that despite the difficulties, their children may still be raised with hope for a peaceful and brighter future, a dignified life.

We lift into your care children who are grieving because of separation or loss of their loved ones as they seek refuge. Heal and comfort them, keep them from any kind of abuse, provide for their needs, help them to reunite with their families and send them people with empathy who will let them know of Your peace and love.

Almighty and merciful God, You have accompanied Your Son in His journey. A refugee and no place to call home, he, Mary and Joseph exiled to Egypt and found their home in Nazareth. As You have been with them, look to us with mercy, especially those who have become homeless and hungry. Bless those with who work to bring us relief, inspire generosity, have shown us hospitality, those who have supported us and welcomed us. They have become our angels without them knowing about it.

We pray, Lord God, for Hong Kong, this city we are currently in, our neighbors in our respective villages and communities, our church Kowloon Union Church, and all peoples and organizations who have received us as we are.

Dear Heavenly Father, no one is a stranger to You, and no one is ever far from Your loving care. Let us be always close to You Lord. Give us wisdom so that we can identify You Lord in us and everyone around us. May our hearts be opened, our leaders be challenged and our self-interest be called out In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 13 June 2021 
Third Sunday after Pentecost 
Prepared by Rey Asis

Lord God, Heavenly Father and Mother, Your love shines upon us, nourishing us like the rays of the sun in the light of day and comforting us like cool winds in the darkest nights. Your compassion is more vast than the blue sky above us, touching our very souls making us alive. Your mercy is like air to our lungs, You are ever-sustaining and we are forever yearning for You.
 
We come before You, Lord God, during these troubled times. When our hearts are made heavy by stories of abandonment, persecution and hurt, when our minds are clouded by anxieties and woes - brought about by laws that are supposed to protect but instead endanger people’s rights and lives, by those with the capacity to lead but instead oppress, silence, by a system that hardens inequality, selfishness and greed.
 
We know, dear God, with You, nothing is impossible. You have given us our bodies, our talents, our skills, our families, our friends, our church, our community. You live in each and everyone of us and we will celebrate, uphold, protect and love one another as You celebrate, uphold, protect and love us. 
 
We pray for our refugee brothers and sisters. While June is World Refugee Month, we celebrate and embrace them everyday. We pray for their safety, especially of their children. Guide us, Lord God, as we turn our compassion to actions - from simply providing pencils for a refugee pupil to advocating for their inclusion and empowerment, walking with them, being with them.
 
We pray for our migrant sisters and brothers. The recent story of Eden, a Filipina domestic worker who escaped the abusive hands of her employer here in Hong Kong, is still fresh in our minds. We pray for Your healing hands on the scratches and blows on her body and soul. May the policies of our city work to protect the rights of Eden, of migrant domestic workers and all marginalised.
 
We pray for healing, strength and recovery, Lord God,  for our world and all people. The ongoing COVID pandemic has only exposed and exacerbated the flaws of an unequal and unjust system. We hear stories of more children forced into hard labor. We see democracy challenged and violated in countries like Myanmar. We see people calling for government accountability and attention, as in the case of India. May governments’ commitments to end child labor, uphold democracy, make COVID vaccines accessible to all people,turn into actions. May those on the ground experience the fulfilment of these promises. We pray for Your guidance, Lord God, in all that we do.
 
In the ecumenical prayer cycle, we pray for the people, churches and all faiths in Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini. For our congregation, we pray for the recovery of our Ate Jenny, Asha, Jeanette, Rachel and Mirasol. We pray for the newly baptised members of the Kowloon Union Church. We pray for Harry and everyone here praying with us in the sanctuary, in the fellowship hall and over the internet. 
 
Lord God, may we be the mustard seeds that You have planted in this city to grow and spread Your love. May we continue to be worthy vessels for the mustard seed that is You, growing, developing and nourishing inside us. And finally, Lord God, may even our littlest actions, like mustard seeds, create ripples of goodness, compassion, forgiveness and love for each and everyone around us. 
 
This we pray through Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen. 
 
Let us all pray the Lord’s Prayer. We may pray it in our own languages. 

Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 6 June 2021 
Second Sunday after Pentecost 
Prepared by Hope Antone

Loving God, we thank you that as Jesus called ordinary people to be his disciples, we too have a chance to respond to his call today. We thank you for the freedom to worship you, physically and online. Yet, we remember those who feel unsafe or are persecuted for their faith, or whose witness to your will for justice and abundant life is curtailed by the powers that be. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

Merciful God, despite Christ’s prayer for unity, we are aware that disagreements/conflicts can get in the way of the reason we are here. Help your church to be all that you want it to be; to disagree well if necessary and to strive to work together, knowing we are all your servants; and to keep you at the front and center of all that we say and do. In the current situation, teach us to be wise as serpents and humble as doves. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

Compassionate God, we pray for the newly commissioned Council members and officers of Kowloon Union Church that through their service they may be a blessing to the community. We pray for the ministers and staff – for new energy for Revd. Phyllis Wong during her leave; for your continuing guidance for Revd. Maggie Mathieson in the ministry. We pray for the sick and elderly, at home or in the hospital, including Ate Jenny (Alegre) in rehabilitative care. Refresh them with the healing power of your life-giving Spirit. We pray for our newly baptized members: Angeline, David, Caden, June and Louis. May they continue to grow in awareness of your love and become channels of that love for others. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

Creator God, we pray for those affected by recent shipping incidents – in Iran, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. We pray for their impact on people and the oceans that are now inundated by chemicals, oil, plastic and other debris. Help us to learn lessons from such incidents; and to understand how our behaviors and choices are linked to climate change. Teach us to live sustainably and responsibly, knowing that you have made us stewards of the earth. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

Healing God, we thank you for the progress in containing the Covid-19 pandemic and discovering vaccines. While we in Hong Kong have choices of vaccines, many in the developing countries are waiting for any vaccine to reach them. We pray for countries hit by surges and new variants. Grant their people patience to live through lockdowns to contain the outbreak. Strengthen the health workers and grant them safety and wisdom as they continue to serve through this challenging time. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

Living God, we join the churches around the world in praying for Botswana and Zimbabwe. We are thankful for their churches’ prophetic witness for justice; their countries’ efforts to stem the spread of HIV-AIDS, counter instability, violence and human rights abuses. May they attain stable economies to enable their people to prosper and live in peace; and come up with effective measures to improve health and life expectancy; and protect biodiversity. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

Almighty God, we continue to pray for a just and peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar. Touch the hearts of their leaders that their desire to hold on to power will be replaced with the pursuit of the greater good of the country and its people. God in your mercy; hear our prayer.

God of truth and justice, may you graciously answer our prayers according to what is best for us, our community and the world you entrusted to us. We pray all these in Christ’s name. Amen.