Prayer of Intercession

10 Jul 2022

Prepared by Peter Youngblood

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Almighty God, we now come to you in prayer, on behalf of the people of our church, our community, and our world. We carry gratitude in our hearts, but also sorrows. We are thankful for all you have giving us: for our health, wealth, and mental well-being. These are signs of your inbreaking kingdom. But here and elsewhere there is still pain and suffering.

 

We are beset with news of violence throughout the world. There was another shooting in the U.S, in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4^th—a day when Americans are meant to celebrate life and freedom. 

 

Japan is mourning the loss of their former Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, who was shot down during a campaign event in Nara. 

 

Around one thousand inmates escaped in a suspected jihadist attack in Nigeria. Now possible terrorists are at large, and people are afraid. 

 

Lord, we pray for the victims, families and all those affected by these horrible events. We also ask ourselves: what drives people to commit such heinous acts? What political or religious views are so important that they inspire people to kill?

 

And even as we witness these individual acts of violence, we cannot forget that millions continue to suffer due to the war in Ukraine. There is mounting evidence of intentional torture and killings of civilians by Russian forces. We pray that the conflict may end, but we remind ourselves that there can be no true peace without justice and reconciliation. 

 

We also lament the scourge of poverty and financial insecurity. As the world’s attention is elsewhere, the situation in Sri Lanka has worsened. People are protesting the government and the policies that created an economic disaster. We pray that their voices are heard and that calm may be restored.

 

As part of our ecumenical prayer cycle, we lift up the diverse faith communities of Ethiopia and Eritrea. We are thankful for peace between these two nations, but we also pray that the ethnic and religious violence in Ethiopia may end.

 

Loving creator, we ask that your Spirit give us the strength to follow your Great Commandment and be better neighbors—that all may receive Your love, that all may receive needed social, mental, and emotional support—so that violence is no longer in peoples’ hearts and guns in their hands. 

 

Here in Hong Kong, we are grateful for some return to normalcy. Yet we are also wary. Covid-19 has not disappeared. It continues to linger among us, threatening our momentary peace. Cases are rising again, and hospitals are under pressure. While we may not like it, we need to continue taking precautions against the virus. Give us the strength, oh Lord, to bear these little inconveniences and protect ourselves and our loved ones.

 

In our congregation, we lift up those in need of support and care. We pray for Asha Melwani, the mother of Alex. We pray for Woo May Yung , the mother of Helen Lee. Ever in our hearts are Mrs. Samuel, Jenny Alegre, Hend, Jeanette Lee, Rachel Perry, Ng Kam Lee, Raymond Lau, Chung Yoke Chin, Chui, Ramon Bultron and Kevin Ng. We also remember those caring for loved ones at home and in care facilities. 

 

Almighty God, there is much more in our hearts left unexpressed, but we give it all up to you, in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray these words:

 

Our Father…