Prayers for the week commencing Sunday 5th September 2021

Prayer of Praise

Almighty God, 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.

Almighty God, we offer you our thanks, because our lives are graced by your faithfulness and your glory. You delivered the Israelites of old from enslavement and death simply because you loved them. You delivered us from enslavement to sin and death through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. As the Passover marked a new stage in the history of the Hebrew people, so the death and resurrection of Jesus marked a new stage of your relationship with Humanity. Eternal God, your act of reconciliation astounds us, living as we do in a World that seeks to settle its differences by force and the death of opposition. Yet, Lord, you seek life, our life, to be shared with you in glory. We come humbly before you with our everlasting thanks for your mercy towards us.

Almighty God, we experience your continual renewal in our lives as you seek to mould us into something beautiful. Your Holy Spirit continues to inspire us to seek a deeper understanding of your character and of your will for our lives. Your everlasting love is the example that we seek to follow in our relationships with others because it is only on that basis that we can acknowledge the dignity that we all share as people, created in your image. We pray, loving God, that we will not take anything for granted, but will recall with grateful hearts what you have given for us in the past, for your reassuring presence with us right now, and for what you promise to do for us in our future. We come to you, in adoration and praise, for all that you are and all that you will be. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we are filled with a sense of wonder and joy that you should care for us so deeply. But such care for us forces us to examine our response to such an outpouring of love on your behalf.

Sadly, we confess that there are times when our words and actions, our weak or unconvincing witness, denies the existence of your love. When our behaviour is patterned more on the values of the world than the values of Jesus, please forgive us. When we clothe ourselves with habits which reflect our own selfish desires rather than the selfless nature of Jesus, please forgive us. When the lives of neighbours are unravelling because of poverty, broken relationships, substance abuse, and discrimination, and we fail to love them as Jesus loves us, please forgive us.

Merciful God, you are always more ready to hear us than we are to pray to you, you are irresolute in purpose, but our will wavers, you endower us with gifts and talents which we are hesitant to use, you are always ready to offer comfort and care while we are quick to criticise and blame. In these ways we have failed to be the light of the World that you have called us to be. Please forgive us.

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 being 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 hearts to reveal our true nature of disobedience and untrustworthiness.

Merciful God, we come before you dependent upon your grace, which gives us so much more of your love than we deserve. We come, dependent upon your mercy, which withholds the just judgement that we deserve.

We come, dependent upon your forgiveness, which removes our guilt and remembers our sins no more. We come, desiring to know you better and to take on your likeness in our lives. Please take the frayed strands of our lives and weave them into something beautiful. To your glory we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from James 2: 1 and 5)

James, in his letter, states that God has chosen us to be rich in faith and that we will possess the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us be assured then that having confessed our sins before God, that God has heard us, that God responded in love by forgiving us, and that God readily welcomes us into a renewed fellowship with Him.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Let us come before God with our cares and our concerns.

Almighty God, we pray for the Church, that you will heal our deafness so that we may hear your invitation to service and recognize the cry of those who are suffering.

We pray for a spirit of listening, that you will free us from the noise that blocks our ability to hear your Word, that you will prepare our hearts to receive your Word, and help us to put your vision for tomorrow into practice today.

We pray for a deepening of compassion for others, that we may feel the pain and the longings of the poor, the physically and mentally challenged, and of the marginalized so that we may accompany them on their life’s journey.

We pray for a spirit of welcome and hospitality in our Congregation, that all who join us for worship, community, or service may experience the love of Christ and a warm welcome.

We pray for all who have experienced abuse, discrimination, or hatred, that you will heal their pain and renew their spirits.

We pray for all who work with the poor and homeless, that they may continually see Christ in all whom they meet.

We pray for all World leaders, that they will recognize the dignity of all people, regardless of status, wealth, or social position, and that they will work together to seek to meet the basic needs of every person. We pray for an end to prejudices that bring about unequal treatment. We pray for an end to selfishness and self-centredness that promotes and prolongs the gulf separating rich and poor, the educated and the uneducated, those with opportunities and those who lack them

We pray for all who are fearful and anxious, that they may find hope and courage in your Word and the fellowship of a Church community.

We pray for all recovering from Hurricanes, from floods, from earthquakes, and from fires, that you will protect them from further harm, renew their energy, and speed the assistance which they need.

We pray for those fleeing the violence arising from armed conflict, , that you will protect those in danger, lead them to places of safety, and help them to find a warm welcome in new communities.

We pray for a greater recognition of our call to be stewards of your Creation, that we may experience a new relationship with the created world that you have commended to our care and work to promote the wise use of its resources. We pray that our hearts would be moved to follow Christ’s leading to develop a just relationship with our World. Enlighten us with the grace to respond to your covenant and call to care for our common home. In our tilling and keeping, gladden our hearts to know that we participate with your Holy Spirit to renew the face of your Earth, and safeguard a home for all.

We pray for all healthcare workers, that you will keep them safe, renew their energy, and work through them to bring healing and strength to all who are ill. Bless those who care for people who cannot care for themselves.

We pray for the sick and ill, that you will bring healing and wholeness to their lives. Have mercy on those who are afflicted in speech or hearing so that these are restored to them fully.

(also from Leading Intercessions by Raymond Chapman p76 & 77, and Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year B by David Hostetter p177 & 178)

We pray for those people in many societies in Africa who continue to live in abject poverty that they will find the means to provide homes and livelihoods for themselves and their families.

We pray for an end to policies, systems, and cultural practices that continue to exploit and marginalize some groups, for the fair election of more just government leaders who respect the rights of all people.

We pray for faith communities witnessing and working together for the common good.

Holy child of Bethlehem, born in a stable:help us to remember all those children living in poverty or even abandoned by their parents.

Holy child of Bethlehem, whom Herod sought to kill:help us to remember all those holy innocents of our own time who suffer abuse or neglect in so many different ways.

Holy child of Bethlehem, a refugee in Egypt:help us to care for all those children who are forced to live far away from their homes.

(From the Christmas message of the Most Rev. Robert P. Ellison CSSp, Bishop of Banjul.)

O God of mercy and of peace,

We hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan.

Be living bread to those who are hungry each day,

Be healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of pandemic,

Be their true home to all who have been displaced,

Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political views,

Be peace to those enveloped in the armed conflict and those who live within its shadow.

Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace,

Open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care,

Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people and

Hold us all in your unfailing love.

God our Father, we pray for all fathers:
for new fathers, coming to terms with both the joys and demands of fatherhood;
for those who are uncertain or confused about their role as fathers;
for those whose work keeps them from spending time with their children;
for those who are afraid of the responsibilities of parenting;
for those who are unable to provide for their children through unemployment or sickness;
for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
for those who are violent or unloving towards their children;
for those whose own fathers abused them or failed to love them;
for those who are separated from their children by marriage breakdown, divorce or death;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose desire to be a father has not been fulfilled;
and for those whose children have rejected their love.
Bless all fathers, so that their love may be tender and strong,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves, but for God and for others.

Father God, children all over your creation are crying out for mercy in the face of this COVID pandemic. We cry out with them. Lord have mercy. Especially today we ask for your mercy on the heads of nations as they lead their countries through this season of fear and despair. Give them wisdom and peace. Bless them with capable advisors and administrators. Strengthen them with forbearance – especially in the face of criticism and community unrest. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, we recognise we are a well blessed nation – despite the financial and health challenges we face. Please keep us from complacency and apathy as we consider those who are most impacted by the COVID virus – at home and abroad. Open our hearts to those who struggle. Continue to prompt your love to overflow in us to them. For you live and reign over all things. Lord have mercy.

Where there is grief O Lord, where sadness overwhelms in the face of dying in this COVID season; bring your mercy and love. Comfort people with your promises and presence. Use your faithful people as your living and loving presence with those who grieve. Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you welcomed children and brought healing and hope to their lives. We pray that as you Church we will create places of welcome, care and safety for all children, reflecting your love and compassion.

God of comfort, we pray for children who have been neglected or abused. We pray that people will come into their lives who love and nurture them in healing and life-giving ways. We pray for child safety workers and those working in child protection, thanking you for their dedication and the gifts they bring to their vocation to protect and improve the lives of children. We pray that you will sustain their vision and uphold them in love and grace.

Christ Jesus, as your Church, you call us to be a faithful embodiment of your care and love. We lament when we have failed to be communities of safety and care. Challenge and correct us in our failure, and reform our life. We commit ourselves as your Church to being places of safety, free of abuse and exploitation. We commit ourselves as your Church to be communities where people can flourish in ways of trust and love. We pray that your Spirit will empower us to be advocates for a society in which all children can flourish.

(Deidre Palmer 2017 for UCA National Child Safe Week 2021)

We pray for those students who are undertaking training in Scripture Union courses in chaplaincy and pastoral care. We thank you for their willingness to serve you in these fields and ask that you will guide and strengthen them as they develop the right skills and understandings.

We pray for the volunteers who assist in the mission of Scripture Union across Queensland, asking that you will protect them in their travels, encourage them as they interact with children and youth, and guide them to be your witnesses in every circumstance and situation in which they may find themselves.

We pray for the planning and organising for the Scripture Union camps taking place during the coming School holidays. We pray for the leaders that they are confident with their preparations. We pray for the leaders that they are enthusiastic about relating to those who will be attending. We pray for the cooks and helpers that they will know exactly what and how they are to undertake their tasks.

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

Amen