Prayers for the week commencing Sunday 6th November 2022

Prayer of Praise

(Psalm 145: 1 to 9 & 17 to 21)

I will proclaim your greatness, my God and King,

I will thank you forever and ever.

Every day I will thank you,

I will praise you forever and ever.

The LORD is great and is to be highly praised,

His greatness is beyond understanding.

What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next,

They will proclaim your mighty acts.

They will speak of your glory and majesty,

And will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

People will speak of your mighty deeds,

And will proclaim your greatness.

They will tell about all your goodness,

And sing about your kindness.

The LORD is loving and merciful,

Slow to become angry and full of constant love.

He is good to everyone,

And has compassion to all He made.

The LORD is righteous in all He does,

Merciful in all His acts.

He is near to those who call to Him,

Who call to Him with sincerity.

He supplies the needs of those who honour Him,

He hears their cries and saves them.

He protects everyone who loves Him,

But He will destroy the wicked.

I will always praise the LORD,

Let all His creatures praise His holy name forever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

(Moira Laidlaw in Liturgies On-line Pentecost 25C)

Gracious and merciful God, we give thanks that you gave a whole new dimension to traditional faith when you entered the confusion and messiness of Human life in person – in Jesus Christ. He communicated your divine love in ways which gave significance and purpose to people’s lives.

We mean to do likewise, but we hesitate, and the moment is lost. We confess that all too often we fail to communicate our faith in ways which empower others.

As we remember what you, O God, have done throughout History, and in and through Jesus, we acknowledge that part of our task as a community of faith is the passing on of these memories in responsible and credible ways.

We confess that we get so caught up with the pressures of the present that we forget how important these memories are for shaping our identity as people of faith, for shaping and reshaping our values, for shaping our dispositions and our goals.

You demonstrated in Jesus that your care for us extends beyond time and space. Forgive us when we find that we have no spare time to even think about caring for those outside our family or faith community.

We need reminding again and again, O God, that you, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, strengthen us to be people of faith, people refreshed and empowered by your Spirit.

Remind us that, despite our weaknesses and our failures, you are shaping and reshaping our lives in new and exciting ways.

We pray therefore, that the greatness of your love will be truly visible as we hold fast to the traditions we have been taught. And we pray that you, most merciful God, will comfort our hearts and strengthen us in every good work and word. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from Ephesians 1: 19 & 20)

The Apostle Paul reminded the believers in Ephesus of the power of God through which He raised Jesus from death. It is this power of God that has enabled our sins, once confessed, to be forgiven and forgotten. Let us be assured then, that we have been reconciled with God and are welcomed into His family.

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 offer faithful witness to your abiding care for us and always live as your Children, revealing your likeness to the World around us. May we communicate harmoniously with those of another denomination. Save us from dogmatism, pride and divisiveness so that we may all be your humble servants.

We pray for the World that is so often deaf to the only teaching that can bring true joy. Open the minds and spirits of people to your spirit and its message of repentance and grace. We pray for all who do not believe in eternal life, that they may come to know you as the living God who offers the fullness of life and everlasting peace to everyone.

We pray for the grace of sacrificial love, that we may be open to all the ways you call us to lay down our lives in witness to the truth and in loving service of others.

We pray for freedom that you will help us to place you at the centre of our life and to let go of all the things that interfere with our relationship with you.

We pray for all who have experienced torture and abuse, that you will heal their memories and free them from all fear and hatred.

We pray for an end to torture and ethnic cleansing, that you will change the minds and hearts of government and military leaders who use pain to control and punish people.

We pray for those who are persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. Please bring relief to their distress and the assurance of your presence and your blessing upon them.

We pray for all who are fearful of death, that they may discover your faithful and life-giving presence with them and draw closer to you, who is faithful to us in both life and death.

We pray for all who are approaching death, that they may experience your presence as they commend themselves to your love and mercy.

We pray for all who are grieving the death of a loved one, that they may know your comforting and healing presence.

We pray for parents who have lost a child, that you will be presence to them in their grief, to heal their pain, and to give them hope.

We pray for all who are recovering from violence, natural disasters, or crime, that you will ease their pain, give them strength, and guide them to the support and assistance that they need.

We pray for the leaders of Nations that they may exhibit true dignity, govern with grace and wisdom for the benefit of all and not those with power and influence.

We pray for a world where people will join together to do things that cannot be done alone. May business and industry bring cooperation between workers and management and owners, so that greed does not bring injustice and oppression, so that incomes are fair.

We pray for the sick in body, mind and spirit, that you will relieve their suffering, heal their hurting and bring them joy instead of sorrow.

We pray for peace, that you will bring an end to violence between Nations, on city streets, in schools, and within families, and bring all who are suffering to safe place.

(Raymond Chapman in Leading Intercessions P42 and David Hostetter in Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year C p200 & 201)

We pray for the peoples of Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

We are thankful for the amazing diversity of people and cultures living on the islands of Oceania, for the magnificent natural scenery and sea life, for the strong, faithful presence of churches in these lands, and for the stories and bold witness to the impact of climate change, reminding the rest of the world that we are all in the same ‘boat’ on this planet, 70 percent of which is covered by the ocean.

We pray for efforts to preserve these island nations in the midst of rising seas, for those adversely affected by earthquakes, volcanoes and cyclones, for those dealing with the legacy of past nuclear weapons testing and with garbage dumping today, and for good governance – especially in preserving indigenous cultures –which effectively serves those who are impoverished, hungry, lacking education or unable to make a living.

Prayers

Prayer of confession and intercession
Creator God, God of the oceans,
God of the land and all that is within it: You created this world with the power of your word.
You formed humankind with your own hands, and breathed your own breath into us.
You gave us these lands as a gift– a source of our identity and sustenance.
you empowered us to be the stewards of what you have made.

Loving God,
we have failed you and abused the gift you have given us.
We have offended you and defiled what you have made.
Forgive us for betraying your trust.
Forgive us for our greed and arrogance.
Forgive us for what we have done to your earth.
Forgive us for what we have done to your oceans.
Forgive us for what we have done to your creatures,
on the land, in the sky and in the depths.

Hear, O God of Compassion:
The cries of the land have become a desert; land laid barren through corrupt
agricultural practices, pollution, mining and deforestation.
The cries of islands are drowning in the rising seas,
oceans that rise with the melting of the ice.
The cries of distress from Mother Earth- storm and drought.

God of Life,
heal your wounded earth. Empower us to choose the road that leads to life.
Guide us in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake
So that we may experience once again your Shalom in the land and in the sea.
This we ask in the name of the one who came that we way have life in
abundance, your Son, our Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Loving God, provide a voice for our struggles.
Provide extra paddles to bring us together.
Grant peace to our hearts, our ears and our eyes
to forgive and to love our neighbours and our enemies.
O Lord, give us a chance to redeem the Fonua*
and to reclaim paradise.

* “land and people” in Tongan language

O God, save our shores from the weapons of death,
our lands from the things that deny our young ones love and freedom.
Let the seas of the Pacific Ocean carry messages of peace and goodwill.
Turn away from our midst any unkind and brutal practices.
Let each child swim and breathe the fresh air
that is filled by the Holy Spirit.
O Lord Jesus, bless all who are makers of that inner peace
that breaks down the barriers of hatred,
and unite us with the open arms of your cross,
that all the peoples of the world may live happily together.

(Prayer by Amanuka Havea, Tonga, published in Your Will Be Done © Christian Conference of Asia Youth, Hong Kong, 1984.)

Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu | World Council of Churches (oikoumene.org)

We pray for the indigenous peoples of Oceania, that they will not be adversely affected by the dominant materialistic culture of Western Nations, but find their destiny in wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ. Please protect them from being influenced by sects and denominations that seek to present to them a different gospel. May they remember the heritage of those missionaries who lived and died to bring to them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Raise up indigenous leadership within their churches, who love your Word and are diligent in their service for you.

We pray for those churches that practice a cultural Christianity, coloured by legalism, nominalism, and a failure to confront the worship of ancestral spirit gods. We pray for a deep cleaning of the church in Oceania through the Holy Spirit to bring about revival and renewal.

We pray for an end to the social troubles brought about by alcoholism, family violence, a lack of job opportunities, or a dependency upon international welfare and aid, that you will enrich family live and social interaction.

We pray for your support and guidance for Bible translation projects, so that your Word will become fresh and meaningful as it is read in the languages of the indigenous peoples.

We pray for strong and fervent leadership of the churches, for diligent teaching and training of pastors and church leaders, and for the strengthening of Bible Colleges and schools.

We pray for honest and dedicated national leaders and governments, that are not hindered by corruption or a seeking for power and privilege, but a seeking for the betterment of the peoples of the islands that make up this region on Earth.

(Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk in Operation World)

We pray for the Scripture Union ‘Taking on Goliath Camp’ team and a group of Grade 6-8 students on an adventure bushwalking camp in TAS over coming days, for safety for those participating, and for opportunities for Bible study and discussion.

We pray for SU Institute of Training (SUIT) students who are finishing up their studies, that they will find a direction for where you are leading them in the future.

We pray for the leaders of upcoming SU school “Leavers” programs in WA; that they will make connections and impact the lives of our young people at a pivotal point in their lives.

We pray for your guidance as we prepare a new camp leadership development event for Far North QLD in Term 1 in 2023.

We pray for the development of the new, monthly skatepark ministry for young people in Burnie (TAS) and for Zac the director (and local chaplain). We pray also for the new Bikes N’ All program launching this month in Penguin (TAS), that it will be a meaningful way to reach out to youth.

(Scripture Union Prayer-Guide-November-2022-Brisbane)

We pray for the success of the Community Health Education Programme (CHEP) in Tanzania, for plans to establish a health science college, which will be unique in Tanzania, so as to provide a lecture course on leprosy and third year students will do rural research on leprosy, which will greatly benefit the work of Leprosy Mission.

We pray that you will protect the Tanzanian team from Leprosy Mission from Covid-19, and deliver the team so they can continue to do your work.

We pray that you will continue to strengthen the partnership between Leprosy mission and the Government of Tanzania. We praise you that the Dodoma Regional TB and Leprosy Coordinator is working increasingly in partnership with Leprosy Mission, which is leading to positive results for the communities.

We ask that you encourage people, institutions, and companies to collaborate with The Leprosy Mission Spain as they work to support people affected by leprosy.

(Leprosy Mission 2022 Prayer Diary)

We pray for Bush Chaplains visiting people on properties for a cuppa and a chat, often the ones identifying issues that need to be addressed. We thank you for their work in lending a sympathetic ear and being able to refer people to other service providers as appropriate. We ask that you will support and guide them as they provide practical, pastoral and spiritual support to those in need.

We thank you for Outback Links volunteers, who provide assistance to outback families with projects around their properties or just to provide a listening ear. Guide and support these volunteers as they serve you in this unique way.

Please be with Pastor Michael Chapman as he fulfills his call to minister in the Carpentaria – McKay patrol area. Protect him as he flies to his destinations. Strengthen him as he deals with the problems and issues of those whom he visits.

(Frontier Services news)

We ask that you bless the efforts of those leading Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School, that the Holy spirit is engaging with the children who attend the classes, opening hearts and minds with a clear message of your love for them.

We pray for the Chaplain at Bald Hills State School, Kylie Conomos, that you are guiding her efforts to care for the children and teachers at the School, that you are encouraging her in her work and supporting her as she gives of herself to those whom she serves there.

We pray for those whom we have not seen recently, who have been unable to join us in worship and fellowship. May they experience your closeness with them in their own circumstances and situation. May they experience your love and care for them. Please protect and provide for them as they move through their daily lives.

Eternal God, you know our problems, and have promised that you will help us to solve them. You know what we lack, and have promised to meet our needs. Help us to depend upon you day by day and to call upon you when life gets hard. Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care. To your glory we pray. Amen.