Prayer of Intercession

27 April 2025

Prepared by Robert Lam

Sunday in Ordinary Time

1. We pray for the world.

We give thanks to the life and work of Pope Francis who passed away at the beginning of this week. For his life of simplicity and humility and his work in leading the church to care for the environment, to look after the marginalized, including immigrants and those suffering from wars and conflicts. 

We pray for the Conclave as it meets to elect a new Pope. A pope who will be guided by your love and wisdom in tackling the many issues within the church and outside of the church.  

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We pray for those who are in the midst of wars and conflicts around the world. We remember Ukraine and  Gaza. Lord, there is much suffering, in these 2 places. Lord we ask that you listen to their prayers for help.

Lord, in your merch, hear our prayers.

2. We pray for China: For people’s livelihood in the downturn of the economy, with pay cuts, potential layoffs and unemployment due to the ongoing tariff wars. Particularly factory workers supporting their family back in the rural areas of the country.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

3. We pray for Hong Kong, our home.

We give thanks to some of the progress made in recognition of same sex marriage. We pray that this progress will continue until full recognition is achieved in terms of legal status and social benefits. We pray for those who continue to tirelessly champion their rights with Government, both in the church and in the community.

We pray for an impartial judiciary and for judges sitting on the appeal cases related to the democratic protest a few years ago. We remember those who have been jailed. We pray for the lawyers who are representing them in their appeal against the sentence. Lord, we ask that you would give wisdom to these lawyers. We also pray for the funding to mount these appeal cases.

We pray for our asylum seekers in Hong Kong and the many organisations which are providing help for legal aid, for food and accommodation during their stay. We pray for a change in Government policies that would allow some form of employment for these asylum seekers. For their children who would be finishing secondary schools and what their future would be.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

4. We pray for KUC Family

We remember those in our midst who are facing health challenges. God the healer, we commit them to you, praying that you would heal and restore them to good health, grant them peace and comfort as they go through these health challenges. We ask that you would give strength and patience to the caregivers looking after them. 

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayers. 

5. In the ecumenical cycle of prayers, we remember the churches and the people of     Armenia, Azerbaijian and Georgia.

6.  We pray all these in name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who taught us to 
pray the Lord’s Prayer. Please feel free to pray in the language most comfortable to you:

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 forever, Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

23 February 2025 

Prepared by Robert Lam

Sunday in Ordinary Time

We come to you Lord this morning, thankful for the many innovation and technological changes that have enriched our lives and our work.  We thank you for the gift of intelligence and the tools of technology.

We remember particularly artificial intelligence ChatGPT which have been increasingly adopted into many facets of our daily life and work. Lord, help us to be careful in the use of these new technologies, aware that they open great challenges in ethics and social justice. Help us to use these tools in a way that honors You and brings you Glory. Guide us by your Spirit, and helps us to always acknowledge You in all our ways.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We pray for the many political changes happening in the world.

We remember the new immigration policy in the US and the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. Lord, we ask for your mercy and grace on those who have been deported. We give thanks to the many churches which have voiced their deep concern and objection to this treatment of migrants.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We pray for the new initiatives to bring the Ukraine war and the Middle East conflict to an end. We pray that these initiatives truly respect and honor the wishes and desires of the people of Ukraine and the Palestinians.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Here, at Kowloon Union Church, we give thanks to Pastor Phyllis for her long years of ministry. As she now retires, we pray that you would bless her in her future endeavours.  Lord, we ask that you would give her wisdom, vision and strength in this new chapter of her life.

We remember the many ministries that she has promoted during her service. We remember particularly the work of gender justice, wedding ministry for all including wedding for the marginalized, a more inclusive church, a care for the asylum seekers and the promotion of ecumenism.  Lord, we ask that these ministries, which are now an integral part of KUC will continue and a blessing to the community and the churches here in Hong Kong.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We pray for our church members who are facing health challenges. We pray for Kevin Ng, Ng Kam Lee, Joy Babasa, John Mamgmasih, Betty and Dick Blakney, Revd Kwok Nai Wang and Henrietta Crowley. We pray that you would restore them to good health and to give them peace and comfort as they face these challenges. We remember those who are caring for the sick at home and in care facilities and ask that you give them love and strength as they attend to their loved ones.

We remember our senior members and friends, Mrs Sameul and the mothers of Alex Melwani and June Tang. We ask for your continued care and blessing on them.

We give thanks for the life of John Barros who passed away recently. We pray for her daughter Gini at this difficult time.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.

In the ecumenical cycle of prayers, we remember the churches and people of all faith of France, Germany and Monaco. We pray that the churches and governments will effectively counter anti-immigrant populist sentiments in these countries.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

We conclude our prayers, by praying together the Lords Prayer. Please feel free to pray in a language which is familiar to you:

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