Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 26 September 2021 
Prepared by Nam Boo WonEighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 

Let us pray for our neighbours, far and near, as Jesus Christ prayed for us all. After each prayer, I will say “Oh God of Mercy and Compassion”, then please respond by saying “Hear Our Prayer”. 

Oh Lord, we are informed and witness that the number of extremely hot days every year when the temperature reaches 50C has doubled since the 1980s. This is happening in more areas of the world than ever before. High heat can be deadly for both humans and nature, and cause major problems to buildings, roads and power systems.

Creator God, help us repent our collective sin of exploiting your creation for our greed and domination, and allow us a ‘metanoia’ to be able to live in harmony with, and care for the whole creation as ‘gardeners’ and ‘stewards’.  

Oh God of Mercy and Compassion

Last week the United States has started deporting migrants from a Texas border town which has seen an influx in recent weeks. Most of those transported are Haitians. Those deported were taken back to Haiti. Thousands, mostly Haitians, are stranded near the border between Colombia and Panama in makeshift camps. Reports have been shared of the inhumane treatment shown towards those waiting and in hiding.

We pray that God prepare a way for these migrants desperately looking for acceptance and a place of safety. We also pray for the world to come soon where refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are welcomed and treated with dignity and justice.

Oh God of Mercy and Compassion

The civil war sadly continues in Ethiopia between the government military and Tigray rebel forces since November last year.  It has been alleged by the Ethiopian government that Tigray rebel forces have destroyed thousands of health facilities in the northern part of the country. Earlier in August, it was also reported that the same group had destroyed over 7000 schools. The people have suffered greatly in this time of unrest, many suffering the effects of famine and lack of medical care.

We lift up Ethiopia and its people to you Lord. Have mercy on all involved in the conflict and protect those working towards peace in the area.

Oh God of Mercy and Compassion

In Afghanistan, the Taliban has tightened their grip on women’s rights, slashing access to work and denying girls the right to secondary school education. After pledging to a softer version of their brutal, repressive regime of the 1990s a month after seizing power this façade is crumbling. In the past 20 years, Afghan women have fought and gained basic rights to which the current regime has shown no inclination to honour.

Lord, may your justice reign and all be treated equally irrespective of creed, colour, gender, sexual orientation or age. 

We sadly hear that nearly all the 8,000 residents of a town in Myanmar have fled following fighting between the army and militia forces opposed to the military coup. Many houses in Thantlang, Chin state, were set ablaze by artillery during fighting over the weekend. And thousands of residents allegedly have fled to India across the nearby border into Mizoram state.

We pray to you Lord for the people of Myanmar suffering from the tyranny of the military junta.  Protect and provide for those in dire need, comfort those who have lost loved ones and their livelihoods. We appeal for your divine intervention for the freedom, democracy and social justice to be restored soon.

Oh God of Mercy and Compassion

Hong Kong Education ministry announced the first school to resume whole day face to face classes for the whole school will do so next week. Partial resumption for certain form years has already resumed in 5 of the territory’s schools, 29 schools have made applications for the partial resumption of classes. In the gathering of school admission figures, it is expected the figure may have dropped significantly due to emigration and the falling birth rate in Hong Kong.

No matter the numbers, Lord, we seek your hand to be on our young people and those who teach. Keep them safe, strong and ready to face each new day.

For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

We lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

We are thankful for the distinctive rhythms, music, dance, food and natural medicine in this area; the beauty of the region, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and ocean coastlines, and especially indigenous peoples’ relationship with, and care for, the natural environment; churches who witness and work both ecumenically and with those of other faiths to build relationships of trust and commitment amid ongoing injustice and oppression; the diversity of languages and cultures flourishing in the region despite disruptions that have occurred through colonization, and political and economic turmoil.

We pray for Christians to have the courage, imagination and energy to build bridges of peace and understanding against conflict and division, and to pursue justice for the poor, marginalized and dispossessed; an end of corruption in all levels of the society, including economic exploitation which impoverishes and hinders economic growth from benefitting all; immigrants and refugees seeking a new home, and those who accompany and support them; coca farmers to find sustainable incomes from other crops, for an end to drug trafficking, and effective assistance for those who are addicted.

Oh God of Mercy and Compassion

For the Congregation

We pray for Som, the mother of Sameth in Cambodia, Asha Melwani the mother of Alex, and Mrs Samuel, Jenny Alegre, Hend, Doris, Jeanette Lee, Rachel Perry and Ng Kam Lee, a friend of Lucy.

We remember the Bolanos family as they mourn the death of Mirasol.  Mirasol, the younger sister of Anjenette, passed away on Monday 20 September in the Philippines after a long illness. We thank God for her life and continue to pray for the family especially remembering Anjenette and her children here in Hong Kong. We also pray for our sister Anna Barooga who will be leaving Hong Kong in the coming week that God will pave a wonderful path for her future.

We celebrate together and give thanks to God for 35 years of service of Bethune House for migrant women in need of shelter and care.

We pray all these in the name of Jesus Christ!  Amen

Prayer of Intercession

Sunday 19 September 2021 
Prepared by Victoria CaplanSeventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 

Almighty Creator God
You gave us a beautiful planet with enough to satisfy the needs of every living creature. But through greed and unjust systems, we abuse it and each other. Throughout the world we see environmental degradation and disasters: poisoned air, water, and soil; drought and wildfires, storms and floods. Help those in risk and those suffering.
We are grateful that in Indonesia, courts have ordered monitoring stations and other measures to improve the Jakarta’s air. May these measures be successful, and similar measures be put in place elsewhere. Teach humanity to use your gifts fairly and carefully.
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
God of Justice and Peace
We pray for the many places in this world where there is civil unrest, war, or fear of war. We especially pray for the Korean Peninsula, where North and South have tested ballistic missiles.
 
We pray for Hong Kong, where we see more civil society organizations disbanding: like Wall – fare’, a prisoners’ rights group. Help us Hong Kongers still find ways to support and care for each other.
 
Direct our communities and every nation, in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honor one another, and seek the common good
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
God of Wisdom:
We too often foolishly try to be number one, put others down, and seek our own way, not your way. Give us the spirit of wisdom, that we may concentrate on you, and become steady and lovely, like trees growing by clean water.
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
God, Our Good Shepherd
Many of us, your children are lost or trapped in many different types of bondage: unemployment, poverty, long work hours, dangerous work, and political oppression.  Lead us and help us build your kingdom where goodness, justice, and mercy reign.
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
God of Healing and Compassion
We pray for people across the world who continue to suffer from Covid19 from the disease and from the poverty, hunger, debt, and disability caused by it and the lockdowns and quarantines. We pray that those who manufacture & distribute fake medicine be brought to justice and repent their ways. We pray for those who in fear and desperation buy and use them. Give governments, policy makers, and members of civil society the will and the ability to take good and swift action help all those affected by Covid-19.
 
Throughout the world your children cry out in distress caused by many other kinds of illness too.  As we name them in our hearts, we pray:  Heal the sick and give strength to their caregivers.
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
Incarnate God, companion of all who suffer:
Look after people in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble: the lonely, the addicted, the grieving, the homeless, the imprisoned, and people who feel displaced in life. Strengthen them in their hours of need. Give them courage and hope in their troubles; relieve and protect them, and bring the the joy of your salvation.
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
Triune God, who we meet in community,
Thank you for our Kowloon Union Church family, the Christian community in Hong Kong and throughout the world.  Thank you for calling us as your disciples to share with and serve each other.  
 
In particular we pray for  your healing hand to rest on Som, the mother of Sameth in Cambodia; Asha Melwani the mother of Alex and Mrs Samuel; Jenny Alegre; Hend; Doris & Jeanette Lee; Rachel Perry; Mirasol Bolanos; and NG Kam Lee.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
·We lift up in prayer today the churches and people of all faiths in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay.
·Thank you for the gorgeous variety of your creation in the earth and peoples there, and the way many individuals and organizations have led global ecumenical work for an economy that serves life.
·Increase the care for and respect for indigenous peoples and their rights, and those of exploited, and abused people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds
 
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
 
Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Amen.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.  As we pray, after I say “Lord in your mercy, please respond, “Hear our prayer.”

Prayer of Intercession
Sunday 5 September 2021 
Prepared by Rev. Judy Chan
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 

Let us pray.

After each petition, I will say: Lord of life. Please respond: In your mercy hear us

O Lord, we come before you this morning, our hearts full of concerns for the world, for Hong Kong, for our church, for ourselves. Every week we pray ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done’ – but do we really mean it? Are we ready to accept Your authority over heaven and earth, to seek Your will instead of our own?

Still, you call us to pray and to trust that You hear our prayers in this hard journey we call life.

Today we pray for the Earth. We remember those suffering from extreme weather affecting livelihood, food, shelter, health, security and creation itself. We’re obviously facing more than climate change…it’s a climate crisis brought about by human failure. May those who sin repent and turn to You. May those who are sinned against turn to You to find justice and relief.

Lord of life…In your mercy hear us.

We pray for places where civil strife, war, violence and political turmoil seem to have no end. May those with worldly authority be held accountable for their actions. May their good deeds be rewarded and their dark deeds exposed. We especially pray for women, activists and artists fighting for freedom and human rights. Protect them by your angels in both local and global communities.

Lord of life…In your mercy hear us.

We pray for students, teachers, parents and schools trying to operate in risky environments. So many obstacles to face and even for some, the threat of being kidnapped from the classroom. Watch over Your children, O God, teach us to treasure every opportunity to learn and grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with You and all people.

Lord of life…In your mercy hear us.

In the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray for the West African countries of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo. May you continue to abundantly bless the fruits of the land and diverse cultures, the thriving churches and spiritual vitality. We pray for the development of democratic, responsive governments, success in fighting severe coastal erosion and provision of good public health for all.

Lord of life…In your mercy hear us.

In our own KUC community, we pray for the sick in body, mind and spirit. We remember Som, Asha, Mrs Samuel and our senior members, Jenny, Hend, Jeanette, Rachel and others close in our hearts known to you. We ask for tender care of expectant mothers and anxious fathers, for family and friends back home far away, for family and friends nearby who need an extra measure of grace and peace.
 
Lord of life…In your mercy hear us.

O God, Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.