Pentecost 7 – Prayers of the People (19 July 2020): Ian Thomas
ARMADALE UNITING CHURCH
Sunday 19th July 2020 – Pentecost 7 (Ordinary 16)
PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
Today as public worship has to be restricted, like the early Christians we are called to pray in “the domestic church”, always aware of the promise of Jesus, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” (Matthew 18:20).
In this spirit, everlasting God, we make our corporate prayers for the needs of the church, the world, our communities and ourselves, trusting in your love which reaches out from before the foundation of the world. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayers
Lord God, whenever we feel offended by your generosity or open-mindedness, give us the grace to repent and join your rejoicing. Guard the Church against self-righteousness, abusive behavior and betrayal of trust, formulation of rules and practices that create an exclusiveness which you would not own. Always keep before us the rule of love. We pray for leaders, ministers and agencies in synod, presbytery, neighbouring parishes; our own parish in Armadale, our minister Fiona, and our tenants Arrow Health.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Merciful God, we pray for the millions of people worldwide who have contracted the coronavirus. Bring comfort to those grieving loved ones who have died and peace to the vast numbers of those who are worried, fearful and uncertain as the virus spreads. Many fault lines within our society have been highlighted in these difficult times. To name a few – We think of those who have lost employment, of small business owners, sole traders and contractors who have lost livelihoods, students whose education has been seriously disrupted, those suffering from the failure of our aged care provision, of the homeless who will sleep outdoors tonight in the cold, of the growing number suffering domestic violence in a fearful and angry society, of the increased pressure on overstretched mental health facilities, of the growing concentration of wealth in fewer hands.
Here in Melbourne we pray for those affected by the new outbreak of coronavirus infections and the procedures that have been put into force to try to halt its spread. We pray for all those subject to hard lockdown, that they will be provided with all the resources and pastoral care they need. Help us all to be responsible and diligent by heeding recommended precautions and avoiding situations which may make things worse.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Guide the efforts of medical science researchers and help them discover what you provide in creation – sure ways of control, protection, inoculation and healing. In the mean-time we pray for front-line health care personnel and their support staff, that they take good care of themselves, stay safe and well as they risk their own lives to care for sick patients.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Eternal Wisdom, guide the leaders called to serve us in our Nation. We pray they will exercise prudence and sound judgement as they respond to the challenges of developing strategies to contain and deal with the economic, health and welfare issues created by the fallout from the effects of the virus. We look for leadership in dealing with the many issues needing urgent attention and that we renew and strengthen efforts toward a proper recognition of our first nation people and fair, respectful and compassionate interactions with them.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
In stories of daily work and life such as the parable of the weeds. Jesus has revealed the mystery of God’s rule and how our existence is this world can be transformed to life in His Kingdom. Lord, give us ears to hear and the minds to understand and act on the message that eternal life in your kingdom requires a disposition like that of Jesus to live our earthly life based on faith in your Grace and love of neighbor through care, humility, compassion, respect, forgiveness, acceptance, generosity, hospitality and gratitude.
Lord recruit us to be your agents in this life and hear our prayers as we summarize our petitions by saying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray
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, Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory are yours now and forever. Amen