Prayer of Intercession

17 March 2024

Prepared by Venus Cheng

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sisters & brothers, let us humble ourselves and pray to the Heavenly Father. 

As we pray, after I say, “Lord, in your mercy”, please respond with “Hear our prayer.”

 

Lord, we have been reminded today that you ask us to seek to be merciful and pure of heart. So we bring our prayers for others to you, knowing that you are the one who knows us better than we know ourselves, will hear our words and listen to our prayers. 

As we continue our Lenten journey, we pray that you create within us, Lord, a pure heart that can turn to you with integrity and purpose that will bring to our lives an awareness of your presence dwelling within us and surrounding us. 

And so, in the silence, we pray

(remain silent for a few seconds) 

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer

 

God of Compassion,

We pray for Your mercy for those with a troubled mind, who find their life unbearable and don’t know how to carry on.  In just the first two weeks of this month, there have already been 24 incidents of suicide by jumping off from high-rises.  Lord, please embrace the broken souls behind the disturbing data, and comfort their loved ones who were left behind.  

We cannot imagine the last agony they were going through before they had to choose such a tragic ending.  Living in this city is getting more and more difficult and stressful, especially under the sour economy with rising living costs.  We pray for the peace of mind of people who may feel hopeless and helpless.  May the Holy Spirit reach each one of them so that they can learn about the Gospel and realize there is a way out in Your grace.   And please remind us not to turn a blind eye to our neighbours in need of help.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of Justice,  

The Administration and lawmakers of Hong Kong are expediting the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, the homegrown security law.  It is reported that the government has lately proposed amendments which could impose even stricter measures against “absconders” and empower the authority to draft subsidiary legislation for safeguarding national security, after lawmakers said the existing proposal was “too lenient.” 

There have indeed been concerns for the confidentially of spiritual counsel and religious confessions being compromised under the proposed enactment of the new law, and whether church figures would be charged if they do not report acts or thoughts that might endanger national security.  While freedom of thought, conscience and religion should be protected under Article 18 of the Basic Law, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong said last Friday that it recognizes, quote, “citizens have an obligation to ensure national security” while the legislation will not alter the confidential nature of confession of the church.  Lord, we are worried for the possible chilling effect.  Please give us the wisdom for knowing how to live in the truth under another new normal, and learning to be as shrewd as snakes while staying innocent as doves. 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

God our Good Shepherd, 

For the Ecumenical Prayer Circle this week, we lift up in prayer for everyone in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. We pray for the peaceful relations with Russia and among all the ethnic groups on these lands.  Please heal the old wounds remaining from the 20th century struggles.  May the Holy Spirit lead governmental leaders and all people so that they might together strive for justice, peace and the well-being of all.  We also ask for just economic development that will benefit all citizens in those countries.

 

Lastly, we remember every member of the KUC community. Please heal those who are unwell, strengthen those who feel weak physically or spiritually, and comfort those struggling with hardship.  Lord, please keep us safe and well. 

Now let us join our voices as one to say the Lord's prayer. Feel free to do it in your native language: 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and for ever.

AMEN