Author Archive: Craig

Prayer of the People, 29 January 2021

February 1, 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 Uyghurs in NorthWest China; 
we lift up to you the many people displaced by violence in Syria; 
we lift up to you friends, family, and neighbours who grieve under the pandemic.

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.

We pray today 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 on 29 January 2021.

Change

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January

January 30, 2021 0 Comments

while grey rains embrace
cold ground cannot restrain
slender shoots of hope

Change

Prayer of the People, 22 January 2021

January 25, 2021 0 Comments

Heavenly Father,

You have made it possible for us to live in your kingdom now as brothers and sisters drawn together through our confession of Jesus, “He is Lord!” How is it that we share in your communion except by grace? Thank you for doing everything necessary for us to enjoy your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Help us Lord.
As you have forgiven us may we also forgive one another.
As you have accepted us may we also accept one another.
As you have mercy-ed us may we also grant mercy to one another.
As you have spoken truth to us may we also speak sincerely to one another.
As you have loved us may we also love one another from the heart.
Come Lord Jesus.

May the prevailing ministry of your Spirit continue to free us from the grip of sin and our old deathly habits. Transform us Lord according to your will and your Word. May we become more like Jesus together.

Oh Lord, we lift up to you our government leaders and representatives in this region and country; please grant them wisdom from heaven. Turn good ideals for service into reality.

We lift up to you medical and health care providers in our country who are feeling weary under heavy loads of extra precautions and of loss during the pandemic. Oh Lord, refresh their souls, assure them of your company with them, and reveal yourself to them.

We lift up to you our work-places and pray that you would fortify us with grace and wisdom to do good work and to be steady, watchful, servants in your Name and for your Kingdom.

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.

This prayer was part of the Origin Church Weekend Broadcast on 22 January 2021.

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Prayer of the People, 15 Jan 2021

January 18, 2021 0 Comments

Heavenly Father,

You have loved us with an everlasting love. You saw each of us in our mother’s womb and you have knit us together for your glory. Now in the fellowship of your people, your new creation impulse is at work. Thank you for including us in your communion, the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

What a happy thought Lord, our sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and we bear it no more. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Thank you for the dramatic testimony of your love in the body of Jesus. We thank you for the grace to believe!

By your Spirit and not by the pride of our own strength cause your Word to be fulfilled in our generation. Build your church Lord right next to the gates of Hell. Rescue the perishing. Please  restore people on our campus and in our city into the image of their Creator through the knowledge of your Son Jesus Christ. Transform us that we might become like Him together.

Oh Lord, we lift up to you the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Comfort and heal Lord from the ravages and insecurities of the pandemic. Fortify them with your wisdom and with hope.

We lift up to you the dear people of Yemen and ask that you would bring peace.
We lift up to you the dear people of Turkey and ask that you would send rain.
We lift up to you the dear people residing in Strathcona Park here in Vancouver and ask that you would open hearts and open doors so each one may be treated with dignity and granted opportunities for safe housing and flourishing community.

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.

This prayer was part of the Origin Church Weekend Broadcast on 15 January 2021

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My Pillow

January 16, 2021 0 Comments

there once was a commercial
that made my granny laugh
at odd moments she would re-enact
a short sniff, a long snnnnnniiiiiiffffff 
a raised eyebrow 
before declaring in a voice 
with condescension dripping
“This pillow stinks!”
and then she would laugh
we all laughed too
until stretching out in bed
to realize, the stink, it’s here. 
It’s my pillow too!

Poetry