Prayer of Praise:  –

Most wonderful God, all powerful, holy and true, present in all things, yet limited by none, untouched by place, unaged by time, unhindered by years, beyond all change.  We praise you God.

  You draw us to yourself and embrace us.  You inspire us to live and to love.  Your mercies are more than we can number.  Your compassion is without end.  We receive your Word with joy and thanksgiving, for you are the source of truth and wisdom.  We praise you God.

  To the whole World we gladly proclaim your greatness and sovereignty.  We acknowledge your majesty and power in binding Satan, and ridding Humanity of the curse of sin and death.  We acknowledge the richness of your grace lavished upon us.  We acknowledge that you have graciously disclosed to us your intention to unify all things in the Universe in and through our Lord Jesus Christ?  We can only praise you to the limits of our vocabulary, and adore you to the capacity of our loving.

  God of love and mercy, you do for us immeasurably more than we can ask or think.  Your Spirit enriches our lives with a sense of your presence within us as well as around us.  You inspire our faith in Jesus Christ and regenerate your people with your energy and love.  For all you do, we give you our thanks.  For all that you are, we give you our praise.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession:   

Merciful God, we confess that we have not been diligent in living our lives to your standards and your desires for us.

We confess that we have not been pure in thought, word and deed.

We confess that we have not been the faithful witnesses for you that you have sought for us to be.

We have failed to be the light revealing your grace to those around us. 

We confess that our harsh words have hindered our relationships with others.

We confess that we have not brought healing to those crying out for compassion. 

We confess that we are proud of who we are, of where we belong, and of what we have achieved.

But in our pride, we are attempting to compare ourselves to yours greatness.

Please forgive the haughtiness that accompanies our pride of race, or of place, or of person. 

For it is only in humbling ourselves before you that we can put ourselves and the World in the right perspective. 

Have pity on us, God our Saviour.  Grant us grace and courage to cast off our sins, and to turn to you for healing. 

Show us in Christ the sure path of salvation, and strengthen us to follow gladly the way of the Gospel.  To your glory and honour we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from Hebrews 10: 12) 

We read in the Letter to the Hebrews that Christ offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever.  Having confessed our sins before God, and professed our faith and trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ, let us rest on this assurance and know that God has heard our prayers, that God has forgiven us, and that God has cleansed us in His sight.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Merciful God, you came to give honour to the least, those forgotten, overlooked and misjudged.

You came to give first place to the last, those left behind, misunderstood and undervalued.

You came to give a warm welcome to the lost, those who are orphaned, abandoned and

destitute.

Help us to be your ears to listen to their cries.

Help us to be your voice speaking out love and acceptance.

Help us to be your feet walking beside those in need.

Help us to be your hands to clothe, feed and shelter them.

Conform our hearts to yours, and plant in us the seeds of hope for a future of lasting peace between people of different cultures and races and Nation.

We pray for those in positions of power, authority, and influence, that you would burden them with a divine conviction to stand for truth, and to act with justice and mercy.

By the power of your Holy Spirit, may a dream for a shared future be planted in the hearts of our leaders and so captivate their imagination, that all the people of every Nation on Earth may be liberated into life.

We pray that the eyes of the Nations of the World may be opened, that all may see the truth of your love and grace, and act for justice.

May your spirit of reconciliation inspire leaders of Nations to advocate for Human dignity to all, and to guide the peoples of their lands from the temptations of bias or indifference.

We pray that where there is bitterness or division among your people, the Church worldwide, that there will be forgiveness and reconciliation. 

We pray that where there is pride in their own achievements, it will be replaced by humbleness and a grateful desire to work together to bring about your Will and Purpose in the World.

Amen

Other Prayers

Almighty God, we pray for the Church, that we may be a light in times of confusion and turmoil through the witness of our lives and our compassionate care for others.

We pray for the grace of discernment, that we may understand the signs of the times and recognize your presence, action, and invitation each day.

We pray for the gift of hope, that no matter what challenges we face, we may remain confident that with you, all things are possible.

We pray for all who are facing crisis, loss, or grief, that the Holy Spirit will guide them, comfort them, and help them to face the future.

We pray for the grace of forgiveness, that we may be open to your unending forgiveness and share it with those who have offended us.

We pray for all who live amidst bloodshed and violence, that you will spur people to greater efforts for the establishment of peace and justice in every society.

We pray for all who have little hope, that you will open new opportunities for those who lack education, employment, healthcare, or safe housing and help them to move forth in faith.

We pray for displaced persons, that you will guide those who have fled violence, famine, or natural disasters, keep them safe from harm, and lead them to places of safety.

We pray for all who suffer with depression, that you will lift the darkness, give them new hope, and help them find support and acceptance.

We pray for all who have been abused, that you will heal their pain, renew their spirits, and help them to live life fully.

We pray for leaders of government, that you will give them an understanding of the critical needs of those whom they serve and wisdom to address them.

(Copyright © 2024. Joe Milner. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use. – https://liturgy.slu.edu/33OrdB111724/ideas_other.html)

Almighty God, we pray for the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

We are thankful for the beauty of the land and waters of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, and the special relationship that people enjoy with the natural environment, for the identities and cultural practices that indigenous peoples long have maintained, and for their increasing political voice, for how the people have welcomed new immigrants, and for how churches have witnessed and worked together ecumenically, especially amid challenges of apathy in highly secularized societies.

We pray for churches to have the imagination, skills and energy to build bridges of understanding in increasingly multireligious and multicultural contexts, for those who work tirelessly on issues of justice for the poor, the marginalized and the dispossessed, especially indigenous peoples, for those seeking refuge and a new life in these countries, and those supporting and providing for them, and for careful preservation of the fragile land, sea, and resources.

Prayer for the Side-lined, Lost and Over-looked People.

Holy One, may your Realm of Love come for the insignificant, unremarkable, over-looked people of the world; for the un-noticed and simply ordinary people; back-water sort of people who will never make much impact.
For them
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME.

Holy One, may your Realm of Love come for those who are lost; who have disappeared or are missing; for the up-rooted, exiled and enslaved ;lost-rights sort of people who will seldom be seen or heard.
For them
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME.

Holy One, may your Realm of Love come for the fearful, the terrorised and the abused people of the world; those who are unjustly imprisoned or entrapped; voiceless people who will hardly dare to seek help.
For them
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME.

Holy One, may your Realm of Love come for the subjugated, silenced and subdued people

of the world; for the lonely, the lacking, the faded, the frightened; shadowy people unable to bring attention to their suffering.
For them
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME.

Holy One, may Your Realm of Love come for all persons with disabilities; for the redundant and poorly educated; the timid and un-appreciated; struggling people who have to strive for support and respect.
For them,
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME.

In the dynamic of your Love, may your Realm become a reality for them all.  Amen.

(© 2011 Glenn Jetta Barclay, Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Greenness

Dear God, there are times when I hear your voice most clearly in greenness: in the singing of sap, the conversation of the leaves, the whisperings of shoot and stem, root, sap and cell,
calling me back to creation to feel again the freshness of you running through everything
like a bright emerald current.
God of greenness, you know well my tendency to fill my life with my own methods of communication.
Thank you for constantly returning me to the simplicity of yours.
Again I experience you in the rejoicing of bare feet on a damp forest path, in the wonder of light thrown against a kaleidoscope of tree ferns, in the myriad textures of moss-clad trees,
in the shining of you beneath every surface.
Beloved Creator, coming to our greenness is always a coming home, a time of peace and grace as the unimportant in me falls away and I know again that bright green shoot of my own beginning which comes from you and is one with you, bright and beautiful God.

(By Joy Cowley, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Published in Aotearoa Psalms: Prayers of a New People by Joy Cowley, Pleroma Christian Books, Otane, H.B. New Zealand.)

Prayer of praise

Blessed are you, God of the Universe.
you have created us and given us life.

Blessed are you, God of the planet earth.
You have set our world like a radiant jewel in the heavens,
and filled it with action, beauty, suffering, struggle and hope.

Blessed are you, God of Aotearoa/New Zealand,
in all the peoples who live there,
in all the lessons they have learned,
in all that remains for them to do.

Blessed are you because you need us;
because you make us worthwhile,
because you give us people to love
and work to do for your universe, for your world and for ourselves.

(Copyright material taken and adapted from A New Zealand Prayer Book: He Karakia Miihinare o Aotearoa is used with permission. © General secretary of the Anglican church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, New Zealand, pp.619,641, 142.)

(https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/aotearoa-new-zealand-australia)

Almighty God, we pray for the families of those who sacrificed their lives for Australia in times of war, that you will bring comfort to those who grieve and that their legacy of courage and service would inspire peace.  We pray for wisdom and protection over Australians currently serving in the armed forces, and for lasting peace in our world.

We pray for Bible Society Australia’s (BSA) Board as they prepare their Board meeting on the 28th – 29th of November, for your wisdom, knowledge and understanding as they make decisions, along with BSA’s CEO, Grant Thomson.  We pray for unity in purpose and mission, as they seek to fulfil the vision you have placed before them.

We pray for Bible Society of Myanmar’s ‘Literacy by Listening’ project, for peace and stability in the Nation.  We pray for the safety and protection of all students and teachers involved in this literacy project.  We pray for Myanmar’s Karen people to have the freedom to worship God and study without hindrance.

We thank you God for the pre-primary children in remote areas of Bangladesh who are being given access to literacy skills through Bible Society’s Bible-based literacy course.  We pray for those affected by Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh, that they would receive comfort and support in their recovery.  We pray for your guidance for literacy staff as they teach the children in the national Bengali language, to better prepare them for their primary school education.

We pray for Koorong teams around Australia, as it has been a challenging year with ongoing system issues affecting store and warehouse operations and increasing manual rework.  We  pray for your sustaining strength and guidance for every Koorong staff member as Christmas approaches and they enter the busiest time of their year, that you would help them navigate through the challenges; for productive and supportive relationships with customers; and for a successful Christmas trading period.

We thank you God for the transformation Alagini* a young student in the Bangladesh Bible Society’s (BBS) literacy course.  BBS shares that Alagini “has learned to recognise vowels and 11 consonants, can read and write numbers from 1 to 10, and delights in drawing pictures and learning [chorus songs] … Additionally, she has memorised Bible verses and even confidently sang the national anthem in front of her class.”

(Bible%20Society%20November%202024%20Prayer%20Letter.pdf)

Almighty God, we pray for the volunteer team in South Australia’s western suburbs as they prepare to take the Christmas story into schools.  We pray for more opportunities to minister in local primary schools through our Christian Options Program and for more volunteers to continue this good work.

As Sunny Coast Schoolies in QLD kicks off this coming week, we pray that the graduating students will have a pressure-free, fun time making new friends and experiencing a positive temporary community where they can also explore their faith journey

We pray for Glenn & Leanne Coombs as they share their Christmas Performance Art Assembly Presentation in ACT schools, that the presentation may soften hearts, and point many to the truth of Jesus.

We pray that you will empower chaplains in the Northern Territory will finish the year strong and that they will enjoy a deep rest over the holiday period.

We pray that you will protect and guide Terry Williams as he co-facilitates a Resource Development Workshop for SU European movements in France.

We pray for Tasmania’s new ‘Take the Lead Junior Leadership Camp’, that it will be a good opportunity to sow into the lives of young people, helping them grow into the strong Christian leaders that are needed in our world

We pray for ‘Hard Skills’, Victoria’s annual Coolamatong gathering of summer camp volunteers, being held this coming weekend, for the development of a useful and inspiring program, for strong team bonds to form and for safe travel as people journey to Coolamatong from all over the state.

(SU%20Prayer-Guide-October%20to%20December%202024.pdf)

Almighty God, we pray for a successful advocacy initiative so that persons affected by leprosy complications will be allowed admission at Chattogram Medical College Hospital and receive tertiary care (medicine and surgery).

We pray that children with disability will get support from schoolmates, teachers and their community so that they can continue their education.

We pray for the Proyash (which translates as ‘ambition’) Health Systems Strengthening Project, which hopes to achieve significant changes in the government health system during 2024, for good cooperation from the government, which will be key for success.

In 2023, The Leprosy Mission Banladesh faced long delays in importing drugs for the clinical trials they are conducting in Bangladesh, including importing rifampicin for the PEP++ study.  We pray that they will not face barriers to importing drugs and other research supplies in 2024.

We pray for success in developing a tool to help The Leprosy Mission Nepal diagnose leprosy earlier and quicker as a research priority.  The 2B or not 2B project– a partnership with TLM Nepal and Leiden University Medical Centre – started in 2023 to develop such a test, and we pray for success at every step of the way.

We pray that TLMI Bangladesh will have the necessary funding and support to make significant progress towards zero transmission across the country.  As TLMI Bangladesh needs to recruit new leprosy control staff who will work alongside government health staff, we pray for success in this recruitment and training of new staff.

We pray good health and guidance for Senior Research Staff, for Dr Abu Sufian Chowdhury – Research Coordinator, for Dr Rishad Choudhury Robin – Senior Research Technical Lead, for Dr Abhijit Saha – Project Manager PEP++, for Senior Leprosy Control Programme staff, for Mr Jeorge Biswas – Project Manager, Proyash and MEPD, for Mr Parach Chakma – Project Manager, Chattogram Hill Tracts, and for Mr Sultan Md. Elias – Project Manager, Chattogram Leprosy Management Project.

(The%20Leprosy%20Mission%20Prayer%20Guide%202024.pdf)

We pray for the Gospel to be shared with the unreached Chut peoples, Population: 8,100*. Language: Chut. Religion: Ethnic Religions.

We thank you God for the success of the FEBC Cambodian team to distribute solar lights and speaker boxes to rural communities.  We thank you for your role in helping to develop the capacity of church leadership in rural Cambodia through our audio Bible course.

We pray for your blessing upon FEBC Philippines’ ‘Radyo Gandingan’ on FM radio emphasising good family values and communicating the Good News of Jesus.

We pray for your blessing upon FEBC Thailand’s broadcasts in Thai and Issan languages on social media and local radio stations to reach those in remote areas.  We pray also for the ‘Christmas Give With Love’ Christmas outreach.  “When I first entered jail, I suffered the most.  But then I met God here and I now have a lot of hope.” – Listener, Thailand.

We pray for your blessing upon FEBC Indonesia’s ‘Adolescent Protection and Family Program’ that encourages teenagers to thrive in their God-given potential, for FEBC Indonesia’s PARS ministry which shares the Good News in Farsi on radio and online streaming platforms to more than 12,000^ refugees in Indonesia and many more worldwide.  In addition to being in schools, FEBC Indonesia’s BDKA (Adventuring in the Kingdom of God) program is now on Heartline Radio, where host ‘Uncle Timo’ will lead children to spend time in God’s Word.  We pray for protection for our Partner producing video translations of the chronological Bible into sign language, and providing skills training to members of the deaf community in a country where they are persecuted for their faith.

(FEBC Praise-Prayer-Dec-Oct-24-digital-FINAL.pdf)

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is 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.