Prayer of Praise: –  

We give you thanks and honour you, Creator Lord, true and living God.  Through your Word we were made in your image and can share in the bounty of what you provide for your Creation.  By your Word, all things were given life.

Through Christ Jesus you have freed us from the slavery of sin and have reconciled us to yourself.  Through your Spirit you give us insight into your will and purpose, and empower us to be your witnesses of your love and grace to the World.

Almighty God, we thank you because you have bound yourself to all Humankind.  When people stop to think about you, they cannot help but be amazed at the way you have shown mercy to people, at the way you have guided Humanity in right living and right relationships, at the way you have established what is just and true and is the surest basis for settling disputes and correcting wrong. 

We have the privilege of knowing you intimately, and of experiencing the blessings of your deliverance and fellowship.   

Loving God, you seek to be in a close relationship with each one of us, though we do not merit your attention nor deserve your compassion.  You yearn for us to return your love and to respond to you with honour and praise; you yearn for us to live lives that respect others as people equally love by you and as people of equal worth and dignity. 

May we indeed seek to live by you and for you; may our lives bring glory and honour to you always.  May we reveal the depth of our love as we praise and adore you in the Assembly of your People.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession   

Merciful Lord, you search our hearts and minds and find us wanting.  How often have we wandered from the path you have laid out, and have followed our cravings and desires? 

Forgive us God for the pain and disappointment that we cause you. 

We spend our time admiring others for their beauty or intelligence.  We spend our time acquiring material objects in the vain hope that they will satisfy us and give us comfort. 

Forgive us God for putting others and things before you. 

We feel that we can do better in managing our lives.  We stop listening to your voice because we are satisfied with our way of life. 

Forgive us God for trying to earn our own salvation.

We avoid the poor and the hungry.  We avert our eyes when we see others in need because we don’t want to get involved or to share what we have. 

Forgive us God for the neglect we show to others. 

We are quick to become angry with those who hurt us or take away our time and energy. 

Forgive us God for failing to show the limitless love that you lavish upon us. 

Merciful God, forgive our sins, cleanse our hearts of all that is impure and incorrect.  Lead us into that which is good and true and upright.  To your glory and praise.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from Hebrews 4: 16) 

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we approach the Throne of God with confidence, for there we find God’s grace and receive God’s mercy.  Having confessed our sins before God, we have the assurance that God has heard us, that God has forgiven us, and that God has cleansed our souls in his eyes.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Almighty God, 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.

Gracious God, you call us to peace.  We pray for the many places across our World torn by war and civil conflict, leading to the fleeing and displacement of people in unprecedented numbers.

We remember people in flight from persecution and threat in their homeland because of their religion, race, culture, or politics.  We grieve with those whose bodies and minds bear the deep scars of terror and torture.

Give strength, courage and hope to those men and women, elderly and children, who leave everything behind to seek security, safety and freedom in another country.

May their plight stir leaders of Nations to renounce conflict and instead build cultures of peace.

Merciful God, you call us to serve you through serving our neighbour in need.  May your Church see you in the face of the stranger who comes here pleading for safety.  May our Churches be places of welcome and safety for all.

Raise us to our best selves as we respond to those whose lives are so deeply scarred by the worst of circumstances, that those who suffer may experience, through us, the tender and restoring grace of Christ.

We pray for all who live beyond our cities, especially for people and communities in the grip of drought or flood, or economic hardship or despairing for their future.

Come to them with your spirit of hope and your blessings. 

We pray for those who are feeling disconnected from their families, their communities, and from you, their God.

May their loneliness be replaced with a sense of belonging and relationship.

We pray for those suffering the impact of our unpredictable climate, those who are burdened with the darkness of depression, and for families and communities devastated by the scourge of suicide.

May your peace encircle and strengthen them and bring them consolation.

We pray for all who serve in remote communities, especially through the work of Frontier Services, for the Patrol Ministers and the volunteers of Outback Links.

May their presence reflect your compassion and love to all whom they encounter.

We pray for the leaders of your Church Worldwide that they may have courage to look within their Denominations and congregations and accept the challenge to bring about change in how they relate with others of your wider Family.

We pray that where there is bitterness or division among your people, 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.

Come, Spirit of Life, infuse your love into our actions.

Overlay your purity and holiness in all we do and think and say.

(from 40 days of prayer for the 40th Anniversary of the Uniting Church in 2017)

(https://ucaassembly.recollect.net.au/)

Additional Prayers (not used in the service in the church)

Almighty God, we pray for the grace of to bear affliction, that you will strengthen us in the face of trial and hardship so that we may remain faithful disciples each day.

We pray for the grace of detachment, that you will free us from the bonds of our egos and attachment to power and prestige so that we may make service of others our priority.

We pray for a deeper identification with Christ, that in times of temptation we may look to Christ who was tempted in every way but who remained your faithful Child.

We pray for the grace to surrender pride, that we may honestly appreciate our gifts and weaknesses, and surrender our false sense of self to you, who heals all weaknesses.

We pray for the grace to seek forgiveness, that we may confidently seek your forgiveness knowing that Jesus was tested on every way that we are tempted.

We pray for all who exercise authority, that they may use their authority to free those who are unjustly restrained, call forth the gifts of others, and lead others to wholeness and service.

We pray for all who are oppressed, that you will bring refugees and victims of war to safety, help them find shelter, food and medical care, and inspire many of us to help lift their burdens through our efforts and resources.

We pray for all with mental or emotional illness, that you will grant them strength, guide them to life-giving resources, and help them to live life fully.

We pray for all who are caught in human trafficking: that God will free them, heal their wounds, and restore them to their loved ones

For all who are recovering from storms, floods and other natural disasters, that you will relieve their suffering, ease their fears, and give them strength to move forward.

We pray for a greater awareness of the fragility of Earth, that you will help us to be good stewards of the Earth and work to preserve it for future generations.

We pray for all who are ill, that you will heal the sick, and strengthen all who are caring for the sick or seeking a cure.

Copyright © 2021. Joe Milner. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use. – https://liturgy.slu.edu/29OrdB102024/ideas_other.html

  Almighty God, we pray for the peoples of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

We are thankful for the cultures and foods distinctive here, yet enjoyed around the World, for indigenous and other groups who have resisted injustice and human rights violations,  for Church leaders who have spoken out and acted on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and for developments that improve life for all, while also caring for the environment.

We pray for stable, democratically elected governments committed to the peace and wellbeing of all, for comfort and healing for the families and loved ones of those who have been killed or disappeared, and for those responsible to be brought to justice, for stopping corruption, drug traffic, and violence, and those who profit from such activities, and for improved economic life and trade policies so that people will not be exploited and can pursue livelihoods in these countries rather than migrating elsewhere for work.

Prayers

Statement of faith

We believe in God, the creator of oases and springs of water in the midst of deserts,
who provides resting places of blessing for all God’s creatures and in whose hands we are protected from all evil.

We believe in Jesus Christ, source of life, living water, who satisfies the thirst of those who thirst for peace, who gives strength to the weary and purpose to those who have lost their way in life.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the balm of consolation, companion on the way, who gives strength when we are about to faint and inspires us to continue on the way.

In consideration of what God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has done this day and throughout our lives, we commit ourselves, as persons whom the grace of God has changed, to accompany others who are at moments of desert in their lives, in situations of pain and times of sadness.

(Red Crearte Workshop, Mexico 2014)

Seed of life

Lord, in this world, you have sown the seeds of life
in the hearts of our daughters and sons,
seeds which are growing slowly and quietly,
seeds whose fruit is the strengthening of hope.
But weed seeds have also been sown.
Their fruit is sadness, sorrow and death.
They try to suffocate all efforts to build a different world.
We draw closer to you in prayer
so we can perceive these situations
which discourage and confuse, causing dejection.
Equip us to uncover and denounce evil
without hurting the lives of those sowing love and justice.
Fortify the weak stalks
so that hope and patience flower in us,
to follow you without ever halting our sowing.

(© Betty Hernández Carrillo, Mexico. English transl. Terry MacArthur © WCC.)

Morning prayer for peace

God of life,
in the early light of this new day
I want to treasure the opportunity you give me
to wake up enveloped in your peace.
I know that today I will face many different situations.
The world, unfortunately, has not changed much
since last night, which you prepared for me to rest.
But knowing that your peace accompanies life encourages me.

Son of Peace,
today, make of me an announcer of your peace,
which breaks down hatred, egotism, abuse, lies, intolerance,
which ends the conflicts between peoples,
families and persons,
which reconciles all human beings with God,
with themselves, and with all who surround them,
making them new women and men.

Spirit of Unity,
gather in this humble prayer
the prayers from all your people in the world,
that your peace, your justice and your mercy enfold us
and enable us to live as one,
the new humanity of peace.

(© Betty Hernández Carrillo, Mexico. English transl. Terry MacArthur © WCC.)

  Anandaban Hospital located in southern Lalitpur (on the outskirts of Kathmandu), receives a large number of leprosy referrals from all over Nepal and from over the border in India.  It is accredited by the World Health Organization as a site that can confirm whether a patient has suffered a relapse of leprosy, despite completing their treatment.  However, at the time of writing, the hospital has not yet received this registration from the Ministry of Health in Nepal.  We pray that The Leprosy Mission Nepal will be able to register the hospital without any hindrance and continue to meet the government requirements for this registration.

  We pray for persons affected by leprosy, who often face social stigma in Nepal, that they can integrate into their communities and their children can go to schools without being stigmatised.  We pray that communities will not discriminate against them.

  We pray for our ongoing research projects and for our research staff, that you will provide the funding necessary to complete the building of our new laboratories centre and to replace the equipment we need to continue our globally significant research programmes.

  Anandaban Training Unit continues to provide support to Nepal’s government by training health workers to diagnose and treat leprosy.  We pray for strong coordination with the Government of Nepal and for the sustainability of our training programmes.

  In 2023, The Leprosy Mission Nepal finished building the new Trauma Centre and recruited new consultants and other staff.  We give you thanks, God, for organisations and individuals who contributed to this project.

We pray that the new construction of the new Self-Care Unit building will finish in time and patients can receive the services they need.

We pray for guidance and good health Dr Mahesh Shah, the Medical Director, for Dr Pradip Sapkota, the Medical Superintendent, for Mr Sher Gurung, the Hospital Administrator, for Sr Mahima Bantawa, the Nursing Superintendent, for Mr Rajkumar Paudel, Training Manager, Training and Technical Support, and for Dr Jivan Shakya, Head of the Mycobacterial Research Laboratory.

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

  Almighty God, we pray for your blessing on ARISE, Bible Society’s trauma healing program for teenagers in Kenya, most of whom face trauma in some form.  With recent research revealing a distressing upsurge in youth mental health issues, we pray for the willing partnership of the Church in reaching out to schools, and for teenagers in Kenya, that they will find healing and hope in your word.

We thank you God for the hope World Hope Ministries is offering South African prisoners through their Bible discipleship course.  We thank you that Bible Society Australia can provide Bibles for those engaging with the Bible through the course.  We pray that you will be with the spiritual care workers as they guide the inmates, and pray for willing workers and resources to continue all the Christian ministry taking place in the correctional facilities.

We thank you God for the Bible Society’s literacy classes, run in partnership with local Shilluk churches in South Sudan, as they contribute to their community’s social progress and wellbeing.  We pray for guidance and awareness for those who are beginning the literacy classes, particularly for Collo speakers.  We pray also for the safety and wellbeing of the volunteers who can facilitate the classes well.  We pray for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.

We thank you God for the Collo student in South Sudan, who shares, “I am so happy to speak, read and write my language … From now on I will commit myself to learning my mother tongue until I master it.” Praise God that the literacy program is progressing well, with students actively involved in class and social activities, and that participants feel revived as they learn to read in their mother tongue.

We pray for Bible Society’s work in Uganda among the non-literate population, helping them to engage with the Bible.  With the literacy rate in rural areas much lower than the 70% in cities, many need the literacy skills Bible Society is offering, we pray that the participants may have their lives impacted as they get to know the word of God.

We thank you God for Bible Society’s women’s literacy program in Burkina Faso, which is empowering women with reading, writing and socioeconomic skills, as well as fostering spiritual growth through Bible engagement.  We pray for a good partnership with churches and other organisations running the program, and that students would attend class regularly and have their lives and livelihoods greatly impacted.

We thank you God for literacy student, Amari*, who shares, “Everything I learn will help me improve my married life, my daughter’s education and my spiritual life. I plan to share this knowledge with those around me for our living environment. When I see the facilitator teaching, I want to become like her in order to share my knowledge with others.”

Bible%20Society%20October_2024_Prayer_Letter.pdf

Almighty God, we pray for a positive response to the FEBC ‘Women At Risk’ project in South Asia, helping to raise the value and equality of women and reduce infanticide.  We pray for FEBC radio programs in South Asia, counselling, and direct listener engagements, that they bring hope to women and help develop their God-given potential.

We pray for your guidance for FEBC’s Nepalese partner serving the remote and rural poor in areas of health, education, community development, and disaster management.  We praise you God for the new listeners in Nepal who stumble upon and are amazed to find the radio programs speaking directly into their situations.

We pray for our Pakistani partner’s ‘Bright Home project, which aims to reduce family violence and empower women to change their poverty-stricken rural communities.  We thank you for the sponsorship received that will enable free mobile healthcare for many impoverished Pakistani women and children living in remote areas.

We thank you god that the messages and counselling of the FM XP team brought hope and joy” for a blind listener and other disabled people in Pakistan who feel marginalised and alone.  We pray for the unreached in Ad Dharmi in Eastern Punjabi. Population: 1,229,000. Language:. Religion: Hinduism.

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.