Prayer of Praise  

(from Prayers of God’s People Year B pp186 – 188, Uniting in worship p277, Invocations p93, An Australian Prayer Book p256) 

  Lord of power and might, we give to you our praise for you are the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  Your mighty works are revealed to us in what we see around us, the vast oceans, the tall mountains, life in its abundance and variety, the stars and planets in the night sky, each a marvel of your creative power.  Your incomparable intellect is revealed to us by what we cannot see; the intricate structure of the smallest atom, the systems interplaying within our bodies, the relationships between animal and plant in the world around us, the forces that keep a planet in its orbit around a sun or that move a comet through the solar system.

  We give to you our adoration because you are the author and giver of all good things; for through your goodness towards us we are nourished; for through your great mercy we are kept safe and secure.  We are blessed because you fill us with your gifts of love and share with us the joys of your Kingdom.  We can rest assured that your love is constant and that you will keep your promises towards us for ever.

  Your actions are guided solely by justice and compassion.  You care so much for the helpless and the disadvantaged.  Your heart goes out to the powerless and the abused.  Your great love extends to those who hide themselves away from others because of a deep loss or sorrow or anguish, to those who we choose not to see.

  There is no force or being that can overcome your will.  There is no other authority or power in Heaven or upon Earth that can stand in your presence, for all things must kneel before you.  For you are God, the one true God who will reign forever.

  But, Almighty God, we are most grateful for you have made yourself known to us through the healing and saving power of Jesus Christ.  You have provided the means for the forgiveness of sins, for the wiping away completely of the stain of sin in our lives.  You have set us free from slavery to corruption into the glorious liberty of communion with you as your children.  Everything else pales into insignificance compared to your sacrificial love for us.

  Let your spirit empower us in our worship and in our daily service for others.  Continue your work in our lives so that we may mirror your nature in our thoughts and words and deeds.  Complete your work in us when you call us to yourself to share in the table of abundance that you have told us has been prepared for us.  For this we pray.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession 

(from Prayers for God’s People Year B pp186-187, An Australian Prayer Book p256, A Year of Prayer pp184 – 185, Opening Prayers p106) 

Merciful God, we come before you contrite and repentant.  We come before you as fallen people. 

Your Word proves to the World that we are all guilty of letting you down, of going our own way; guilty of offences and of negligence.  We sin in thought, word and action. 

We seek to hide them away, as if by out of sight they are invisible to all, yet nothing is hidden from you.  We seek to brush them away, as if our treating them as unimportant diminishes their significance; yet each and every one is abhorrent to you and causes you so much pain. 

You alone judge rightly, and search the depths of our heart to reveal our true nature of disobedience and untrustworthiness.

We crave after things in an effort to satisfy a craving in our souls.  We seek after possessions and pleasures as if this was the purpose of life. 

We envy the wealthy and all that they seem to have, yet forget that possessions and wealth do not withstand death and decay. 

We boast of our qualities and skills.  We like to tell of what we are able to achieve all by ourselves,

yet fail to acknowledge your blessings in our lives and neglect your call to live a life of modesty and gratefulness. 

We are hardened to the distress in other’s lives, and are unable to perceive the greater needs of others.

We withhold the simplest of help that we are asked to give. 

We neglect to comfort those who need a quiet word of consolation. 

We refuse to consider giving to someone because of the cost that it may mean for us. 

Please forgive us for each and every time that we have failed you and have failed others.  Please forgive us for each and every time that we have not lived according to your perfect law and precepts. 

For we acknowledge that we alone are responsible for creating the chasm that exists between yourself and our sinful lives.

Yet Lord you declare your almighty power in showing mercy and pity towards us. 

Your Word reveals you to be a God of boundless compassion, who eagerly forgives all penitent sinners. 

There is no other God like you, who pardons sin, whose compassion extends to casting our sin into the deepest depths of the sea. 

We thank you Lord that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us. 

In turn, fill us with compassion, perfect your love in us, arouse in us a thirst for holiness and kindle within us a passion to serve you. 

Make us swift to do your will and slow to judge our neighbour.  May we follow the path of repentance and faith, to your glory and honour.  Amen.

 Assurance of Forgiveness  (from Colossians 3: 1) 

The Apostle Paul reminds the believers at Colossae that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, they have been raised to life through him.  We, too, share in this promise, for, having confessed our sins, we too have been forgiven and granted new life through Jesus.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Loving God, knowing your love for all of Humanity, especially your compassion for the needy, we come to you with our cares and our concerns.

We pray for the Church, that we may recognize our dependence upon you for all things and let go of our attempts to control our own lives.

We pray for deeper understanding, that the Spirit will increase our awareness of the beauty and power of the New Life we hold that is hidden with Christ.

We pray for conversion of our hearts, that we may lay aside lying, greed, and selfishness, and live as your children.

We pray for a spirit of gratitude, that we may appreciate all the gifts that you have given us and become rich through words of faith, attitudes of hope, and deeds of love.

We pray for a greater sense of the common good, that we may recognize that your gifts are for the benefit of the whole Human family and never allow them to become idols that control us.

We pray for freedom from anxiety, that we may never be seduced by the illusions of wealth, fame, power, or control, nor allow these to dominate our lives.

We pray for an end to discrimination, that you will help us recognize the dignity of each person and never judge them on appearance, status in life, nor cultural origin.

We pray for spiritual directors and therapists, that you will guide them in helping others to recognize their gifts, their vocation, and the deepest truth that you have planted in their hearts.

We pray for all who bear the burden of poverty, that you will sustain them each day, open new opportunities for them to use their gifts, and open our hearts to be generous in their time of need.

We pray for all who live in the midst of violence, that you will break the cycle of violence, protect them from harm, and bring peace to their communities.

We pray for all families that are divided by inheritance and financial issues, that you will help them recognize the value and dignity of each other and guide them to a resolution of their conflicts.

We pray for all teachers, that you will inspire them with ways to assist each of their students and help them to promote the growth and development of each of them.

We pray for all who find life burdensome and lacking meaning, that your Word will touch their hearts and open before them the beauty and value that you unfold each day for us.

We pray for wisdom and inspiration for government and legislative leaders, that you will give them insight into the true issues and the needed steps for change to promote the welfare of everyone.

We pray for peace, that you will open new opportunities for dialogue between national leaders, increase their concern for the common good, and free them from the constraints of their egos.

Copyright © 2022. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/

We pray for the people of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.

We are thankful for the abundant natural resources in the DRC and the mountainous beauty of Rwanda, for those who have worked for healing and reconciliation in Rwanda, especially after the genocide and for the tireless efforts of churches and community organizations, working with the support of humanitarian organizations, to improve the living conditions of the people.

We pray for an end to poverty and hunger, and improved access to health services, especially for the young, that they might have hope for their future, for an end to rebel movements across borders and the political instability this stirs up, for just economic development that does not exploit Creation and people, and for democratic election of less corrupt governments that work for the sake of all.

Lord, you call on us to pray for our enemies.
Have mercy on those who are disposed to do us evil
and who divide your church.

Deliver us, Lord, from every temptation.

Have mercy on our lack of belief and our wavering faith
as we travel the path towards the unity of your people.

You are our God and we want always to be your people
under the guidance of your Holy Spirit.

(Prayer by the group from Zaire who prepared for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 1993)

O God,
the source of our belonging to one another,
none of us can give anything to our sisters and brothers
if we have not first of all belonged to you;
give us your Spirit in the bond of perfect unity
so that the Spirit may transform us into a new humanity,
free and united in your love,
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who is God,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.

(New Roman Missal, Democratic Republic of Congo)

A Prayer from the Bishop of Kigali, Anglican Church of Rwanda

Heavenly Father,

we thank you for your love and that it is your will that human kind should live together in peace and harmony, reflecting your loving nature. We humbly come before you praying for the church of Rwanda and the worldwide church, for wisdom, understanding, love and courage as we take part in the journey of eradicating sexual violence.

We pray that the church may continue to be a safe place and shelter where survivors may find refuge and experience God’s love and healing in the midst of hurt and pain. We pray for the survivors of sexual violence all over the world, those who were raped, mistreated and abused in various ways, especially women and children. May your healing and comforting hand be upon them always.

You are our hope, comforter, healer and redeemer and you never ignore the cry of your children.

We pray for our leaders – from our President right to our local leaders, that you continue to give them wisdom and guidance, so that they continue to be your instruments of peace and justice in the work they do for our nation.

We thank you for all that you are doing and what you are going to do.
In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen

Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda | World Council of Churches (oikoumene.org)

We pray for the wellbeing and safety of Geeske Zijp and her team from The Leprosy Mission in Chad, as they continue their work with people with leprosy and strengthen rehabilitation services.

  (The Leprosy Mission Prayer Diary 2022) 

We pray for the effectiveness of the urgent Famine Prevention Package of $150 million to avert catastrophe in the worst-affected hunger spots in the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. 

We pray for the effectiveness of programs to tackle the root causes of the global hunger crisis through investing in a long-term targeted Global Food Strategy. 

We pray for strengthened resilience of the Asia Pacific region to climate change, disasters, and economic shocks through Australia’s development assistance. 

Help Fight Famine  – UnitingWorld

We pray for the Religious Instruction classes at the Bald Hills State School, that the Holy Spirit is working through their efforts to reach the hearts and minds of the children.  Please guide and encourage these who lead RI, as they prepare their lessons and present the Gospel to their classes. 

We pray for Kylie Conomos, the chaplain at Bald Hills State School, that you are encouraging her as she seeks to bring comfort to children, families and staff in their times of need.  Please direct the local churches in the Bald Hills area, in ways that they can support the work of the chaplain at the school.

Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care.  To your glory we pray.

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.