Prayer of Intercession

18 September 2022

Prepared by Judy Chan

Fifteenth week after Pentecost

It’s been said that God allows our heart to be broken again and again and again so that it stays open. Let us open our broken hearts to the Lord.

O God, 

As new COVID cases begin to drop in Hong Kong, we remember those in other places such as the mainland where sudden lockdowns disrupt and even endanger people’s daily living and survival. We also remember the more than six and half million people worldwide who have died of COVID, leaving more than ten million children without one or both parents, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa. The terrible impacts of this pandemic will be felt far into the future. Give us wisdom and strength to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

We pray for the long-suffering people of the Philippines on Sept 21, the National Day of Protest. The corruption and human rights abuses during the era of marital law have continued to haunt the nation ever since. O Lord, may all people continue to challenge tyranny and promote democracy, wherever we can, whenever we can, and while we can. Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

We pray for those overwhelmed by environmental disasters, especially the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan. 33 million have been affected there. 1500 people have died so far, 500 of them children. Hundreds of thousands are homeless. A public health crisis looms. May all the nations of the world do their fair share to render aid and show commitment toaddress international loss and damage from climate change. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

We pray for those in Hong Kong under extraordinary stress and pressure. Today, we lift up teachers who have been told to ‘be cautious’ about their professional conduct for the good of national education, for 8000 struggling restaurant owners who fear shutdown after the end of the rent grace period, for those having to cope with the ever-changing Covid policies, and those facing the Hong Kong judicial system or incarceration in prison. They need our concern and your grace, O God. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

In the ecumenical prayer cycle, we pray for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. We pray for justice and truth, healing and protection, respect and empowerment for all especially indigenous people, children, the church, the poor, the environment, and victims of crimes against humanity. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer

And for our own congregation, we pray for the mothers of our members, our seniors and those suffering in our KUC extended family both near and far. Be with those recovering from surgery and illness, those facing medical challenges and those grieving loss of every kind. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

 

And now let us pray together the Lord’s Prayer, you may pray in the language of your heart. 

 

Prayer of Intercession

04 September 2022

Prepared by Tong Chong Sze

Let us pray. At the end of each petition, I will say Lord in your mercy, congregation please respond: Hear our prayer.

 

·      Over 50,000 monkeypox cases have been recorded in the current global outbreak. We thank God that the world may have taken the right action so far as there seems to be a decline in new infections. May God be with those who have lost loved ones and those dealing with the illness, and bless the health workers who are doing their best to bring the virus to a halt

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

·      The weather throughout the world is causing havoc and loss. Monsoon rains have caused devastating floods in Pakistan, claiming many lives, leaving millions homeless. After months of dry, hot weather, people in Spain were caught in a frenzy of giant hailstones, and many countries had suffered from wildfires, causing damage to property and claiming lives. In China and East Africa, drought has consumed most crops for the coming year. We pray for relief and action for those affected by environmental disasters near and far, and hope that the world will step up its effects and concern in caring for mother earth and address global warming and other environmental issues.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

·      We remember the victims of ongoing conflicts and tensions between and within nations and regions. We remember the war in Ukraine entering its seventh month, the Palestinian residents in the West Bank facing the threat of mass eviction, and activists being persecuted including a Saudi woman has been sentenced to 45 years imprisonment just for posting social media criticisms of Saudi leaders. We are thankful for the release of Sister Suellen Tennyson who was held captive in Burkina Faso for five months. We pray for the renewal of her body, mind, and spirit, as well as for all the other victims in their continual struggle for justice and peace.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

·      As the world continue to struggle with the pandemic, we uphold our prayers and concerns for all involved. Let us not succumb to COVID-fatigue and be diligent to do our best for our neighbours and ourselves.

 

·      As children begin their new school term this week. We pray they can enjoy a full term with minimal disruption of face-to-face classes while COVID restrictions seem to be becoming tighter as the pandemic continues. May all students and staff stay strong and healthy. 

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For the Congregation

·      We are saddened by news of the death of several family members of our congregation, including Cecilia’s mother-in-law, Lucy’s father in law, and Nam’s mother. We understand that they had passed away peacefully and that memories of their long and blessed lives will be warmly remembered. We pray that the Lord’s peace and comfort be with their family members during this time of loss.

·      We thank God for the new born baby to Joel and Constance. May Constance recover soon and the baby grows healthy and strong by God's Grace.

·      We continue to pray for the good health of our congregation, including Alex Melwani, Helen Lee and Florence Tse's mothers, Mrs Samuel, Jenny Alegre, Hend, Jeanette Lee, Rachel Perry, Ng Kam Lee, Raymond Lau, Chui, Ramon Bultron, Thapa Samjhana, Kevin Ng, Stella Chan, Sandy Hung, Ching’s mother, and Lucy Lim. 

·      We thank God for the progress we see in Lucy’s recovery from her surgery. She is now resting and gaining strength at home before her follow-up treatment begins.

·      We remember those caring for loved ones at home and in care facilities, we also remember that carers very often forget that they themselves also need to be cared for, in particular, we want to pray for the physical and mental wellbeing of our pastors and church leaders.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle

We lift in prayer the churches and people of all faiths in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.

We are thankful for the beauty, the natural resources, the wildlife and different cultures in these countries and pray that their governments become more and more democratic and be free of corruption, so that they may prioritise on people’s needs, namely to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and hunger.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen