Prayer of the People, 29 September 2019
Heavenly Father — Praises be yours!
In your mercy and grace you have brought us into your communion— the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your majesty is on display in Creation and your wisdom in your Church. Your faithfulness and love reaches even to the most frustrated corners of our globe.
A collective shout has come up from children giving voice to the groans of Creation. This world groans under the weight of failed stewardship. And we say with them, Come Lord Jesus!
You are bringing all things under the administration of Jesus Christ our Lord. Yet, we can hardly claim to walk in perfect union with Him. Help us Lord. Have mercy on us Lord. Forgive us for taking your name in vain. Under the banner of your name some have cloaked themselves in deceit and have ushered themselves and others into destruction.
Grant us the humility and the prophetic unction required to join you in the healing of the nations. Grant us your healing too Oh Lord.
Heavenly Father, may your Spirit bring healing in downtown Vancouver. Bind up the wounds of trauma and release people from fear by establishing circles of friendship and healing through the presence of Jesus.
May your Spirit fortify your church in Iran with love and courage.
May you uphold your servants who have been imprisoned in China.
May you embolden your people to keep loving their neighbours in Indonesia.
May you sustain your labourers upholding the Living in the Bahamas.
Free us Oh Lord from our captivity to the urgent. It’s become so normal to us that we hardly hear your voice during the day and even the night. Call us into your communion even as we lay down our worries with you.
(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.