Prayer of the People, 14 August 2020
Heavenly Father,
How shall we live in view of your mercy? You have saved us from the pit of despair and have clothed us in the righteousness of your Son Jesus. You have seated us at your table and filled our hearts with the songs of your Spirit. You have brought us into your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thank you! We shall praise you and bring to mind your mighty acts on behalf of people. May you be glorified in the hearts of people from all nations. May the blessings you have so richly given to your church be generously shared from every gathering of your disciples.
Today we lift up to you the people of Lebanon. They have suffered greatly from the explosion in the port of Beirut. Comfort those who have suffered the loss of loved ones in the blast. We ask you to fortify the people with hope and to raise up peacemakers among the leaders who are able to coordinate relief for people in the clean-up and the rebuilding. We thank you for the friendship Lebanon has shown to many people on the journey for refuge. In this nation with such a lengthy history we pray that the love of Jesus would rise up strong and full of life like the majestic cedars of old.
We lift up to you the people of Hong Kong and pray that you would comfort them. May your church continue to join itself to people who are suffering under hopelessness and despair even as they proclaim the good news of your Kingdom and the forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. Fortify your servants with your love O Lord.
We lift up students seeking to discern their next steps and to make plans for this school year.. Lord we need your wisdom and your guidance. Train us in your way and grant us courage to persevere with you through the uncertainties and fears of the pandemic. You have told us “Be not afraid.” Help us to love our neighbour well and to make adjustments in our lives with a growing understanding of reality. Grant us the wisdom of to be merciful to the weak and to do good to all.
Oh, Lord we yearn for your Kingdom to be fully established in our hearts and on our city so we pray as Jesus teaches us: (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, Meeting God When We Are Busy, on 14 August 2020.