Author Archive: Craig

Prayer of the People, 17 Oct 2021

October 18, 2021 0 Comments

Heavenly Father,

Like the deer in a dry land, panting for streams of living water, we are thirsting for you. You have invited us to come and drink. And so, we have come to meet with you — in your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Forgive us Lord, for we have confused our thirst for you with a thirst for power, for recognition, for ease, and for entertainment. Even now Lord, reset our souls to you. Awaken us to the majesty of your sovereign love and wisdom.

We have feared the mocker’s question — Where is your God? And so we kept silent; we retreated into our own doubt, and we made skepticism our fortress. We imagined a justice that did not include you. Oh Lord, break these walls down with the glorious image of Jesus pouring Himself out as a servant, taking up the towel and serving, taking up the cross and suffering that we might know You in your fullness.

Oh Spirit of God, blow through these walls that the fragrance of your life would be a delight to many. Cause hope to arise in us and praise to flow from our hearts in the day and the night. You are our comforter and healer. You restore us to the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. Stir us out of our passivity and activate attention to your love for us and attentive love for our neighbours at home, across the campus, and in the classroom.

Oh Lord, those living in the shadow of domination and desolation are crying out — Hear their cry Lord. Their cries are coming to you from Myanmar, from Afghanistan, from Lebanon and even from here in Canada. Oh Lord direct your love to them, may your song be within them even in the night — a prayer to the God of their lives. Even in prisons or on campuses — please establish people of Jesus as vibrant communities whose praises arise as a beacon of hope in every dark corner or our globe.

Oh Lord in the name of Jesus we are pleading — may your Kingdom come!

(Please join with me in praying 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.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever. 
Amen.

Prayer

Del Rio and our Haitian Brothers and Sisters

September 23, 2021 1 Comment

I have struggled to know even where to begin to express my deep dismay at the treatment of the dear people who have sought refuge under the Del Rio International Bridge. Many of them began their journey for refuge as many as ten years ago by departing from the shores of Haiti.

These are survivors. These are strong, ingenious, creative people who have learned languages, leaned into deprivation, and held onto hope.

Some blame their journey on an earthquake. But there are other factors too that contributed to the violence, poverty, and political alienation that compelled them to leave. America stirs the pot with the left hand and crushes the hearts of people who climb out with the right.

Our neighbours have come to the border asking for refuge. But, we treat them with contempt.

During the week in which men on horses chased down and flayed away at the backs of our sons and daughters, in which people where corralled onto planes and flown back to Haiti without due process, I began reading Dominique DuBois Gilliard’s book, Subversive Witness, Scripture’s Call to Leverage Privilege. He writes,

“Hosea 4:6 explains that God’s people perish because of a lack of knowledge, and the masses also suffer when they lack godly leadership.

Narcissistic political leaders fear losing their power, influence, and possessions more than they fear God. Their insecurities lure them into idolatry, fear distrusts their vision, and paranoia prohibits them from affirming the imago Dei inherent in all their neighbours. Consequently, their dictates exacerbate existing chasms between the privileged and disenfranchised.

Immoral leaders understand that when marginalized people are politically diagnosed as a social albatross, it becomes acceptable–if–not patriotic–to vilify them, infringe on their human rights’ and become apathetic toward their plight….”

Subversive Witness, p. 22.

Immoral leaders.


Today, Daniel Foote, the special envoy to Haiti, has resigned in protest of immoral leadership. No one is listening to him and the Biden administration seems to be intent on going ahead with the forced transport of people to Haiti. Daniel Foote describes the situation, “I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the dangers posed by armed gangs in control of daily life.”

Grieve and lament.

Affirm those who offer refreshment.

Call for the due process and kindness required to be given those who seek refuge.

Are you a follower of Jesus? Beware the evil wrapped up in patriotic justifications for the sacrifice of God’s dear children in order to “secure our borders;” it’s the siren call; it’s a tasty morsel; it bears death to the soul; it wounds the conscience and numbs the mind. It has nothing to do with Jesus. It’s a wooden idol; it leads us astray and we become unfaithful to God. It brings rot and eases all of us into a habitual rejection of the Kingdom of God.

Change

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Prayer of the People, 15 August 2021

August 18, 2021 0 Comments

Heavenly Father,

You have been our help – an anchor through the storms wrecking our souls. Thank you for calming the storm. Thank you for carrying us through the storm. And even when the storm was of our own making you have restored our souls and given us rest. 

You made a way; You have set our feet on solid ground and have embraced us as friends. Thank you!   When shame weighed us down you have lifted us up. You put a new song in our hearts and raised our chins from the depths. You invite us to gaze on your glory and goodness. 

Who is like you?

You took our place at the Cross through Jesus Christ and have graciously poured your Spirit into us so we may enjoy life with you now and forever. This new birth delivers us from the destruction wrought by Satan, from guilt, from shame, and from fear. Now you usher us into the  peace, righteousness and joy of your Kingdom.  —  Thank you.

Lord you have empowered us to be neighbours to those who need one. We turn our faces with you to consider our campus, our city, and the countries of our day — give us your heart for people.

Raise up students who love you and grant them courage and wisdom to speak up with you
Raise up men and women who will lead with loving kindness in their fields of work.
Raise us up as a generation that will follow Jesus.

Even here — we know —  powers and principalities prop themselves up against the knowledge of You. They seek to destroy people by denying their dignity and their worth as bearers of your image. 

Today as we look at our world with you: 

We lift up the country of Afghanistan and ask that you would grant courage to your church. 
We lift up to you the people of Haiti and ask that you would comfort those who lost friends and family in the latest earthquake.
We lift up to you friends, family, and neighbours who grieve under the pandemic around the world.

Oh Lord, Come quickly — please orchestrate release for the captives, homes for the displaced, and enduring peace for neighbours.

Please give our leaders humility and the wisdom that comes from Heaven.

Oh Lord we need you and so we pray…  (Please join me in 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.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, 
forever. 
Amen.

Prayer

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Prayer of the People, 23 July 2021

July 26, 2021 0 Comments

Heavenly Father,

How is it possible that we could walk in this wonderful corner of the world and not think of you? We can stand at the Rose Garden and see your grandeur painted on the horizon: the mountains, the ocean, the expanse of the skies. Thank you for this Creation and the wildness just a short journey away.

As we walk across our campus we see departments committed to the study of all that you have made and what people have done with it through the years. Thank you for these wonders. Even then Lord, our imaginations have been drawn forward into what could be — the new creations that are yet to be written and sung, the new scientific discoveries that are to be applied for the benefit of people and the stewardship of your Creation. Thank you for granting such craft, knowledge and wisdom to us. Thank you for opening the way for us to study and to share our lives here at UBC together.

But there is much in our world to remind us that we are not the masters of the sea or of the land, or even of our hearts. The pandemic continues to rage in many countries and people’s lives are disrupted and they are distressed. We are asking you for help Lord. Grant wisdom and will to governments that they would assist in the provision of vaccines for all who want it across the globe.

We lift up the people of India who have suffered so much during the pandemic. Bring comfort and help to those who cannot afford medical care. We uphold your church to love these neighbours. May they be strengthened in their spirits by the knowledge of Jesus and the power of Your Holy Spirit to share their lives and the Gospel.

Through out the world the shortcomings of families and of churches are evident. We lift up the people who have suffered great pain and loss from the hands of those who were meant to be your hands, who were meant to show your care — but did not; what a destructive storm! 

Hear their cries Lord, and attend to their suffering. Meet them in the trauma and bring healing.  Lord have mercy. Change our hearts with your truth and grace and form us as a people able to do your will.

So Lord we pray together …. Please join me in praying 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.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever. 
Amen.

This prayer was part of the Origin Weekend Broadcast and Gatherings on July 23 and 25.

Prayer

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Prayer of the People, 18 July 2021

July 19, 2021 0 Comments

Heavenly Father, 

When the time was right you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be born of Mary. We rejoice in Him and in the fulfillment of your promises. Your Word lasts and has borne the fruit of eternal life in us. Praise the Lord. Let all Creation praise your holy name. Praise the Lord.

In your communion, the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we know you and we know your love. Please pour out your Spirit in your church today that we may rise as a temple constructed of lives graced by your Son. Let us see in our brothers and sisters the glorious construction of a people shining like a city on a hill.

You are the God who sends. You sent: 

Someone to plant the seed of the Gospel in our hearts.
Someone to water that seed and nurture us in the ways of peace.
Someone to welcome us into the communion of the saints that we might be vessels of your Spirit’s healing graces.

We know this but have not yet seen what you will do in our generation for the glory of Jesus.

Here we are Lord, send us.

Lord we lift up to you the people of Haiti and ask that you would bring joy to the streets.
We lift up to you the peoples of Canada and ask that you would bring the joy of your salvation to their hearts.
We lift up to you the people of Afghanistan who feel dread as dark realities of violence are  overtaking more towns and regions. This region again is treated as pawn among power brokers. What shall we ask Lord — except that you would change the heart of all those who take up arms so that they may be conformed to the character of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Oh Father, we need you and we yearn for your Kingdom to come. So we pray as Jesus taught us. (Join me in 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.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever. 
Amen.

This prayer was part of the Origin Church Weekend Broadcast and In-Person Gathering, 16 & 18 July 2021.





Prayer