Prayer of the People
23 June 2019
Heavenly Father,
We enter into your communion, the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
today by the blood of Jesus poured out at the cross. You have opened the way for us to come before your throne of grace in our time of need.
You are the One who brought the heavens and the earth out of the chaos.
You are the One who saved Hagar from her lonely tears.
You are the One who rescued Israel from Egypt’s oppression.
You are the One who delivered David from Saul’s jealousy.
You are the One who lifted Jeremiah from the muddy pit.
You are the One who fortified Hosea in the face of unfaithfulness.
You are the One who has made our lives so precious. May your Word prevail in our lives.
We grieve today with the family of retired UBC professor, Peter Winterburn who died Friday in Chile during a robbery. May you comfort and help his family.
We lift up to you the people of Sudan. Please let your peace prevail. May the violence stop and may the conflicted parties work out a way for good governance in the pursuit of common good.
We acknowledge the mindless ease with which we have benefitted from the domination of others. Across Canada this past week Indigenous peoples celebrated their continued presence among us and have invited us to appreciate aspects of your common grace among them. Help us Lord to listen.
We set before you the city of Athens, Greece and pray that you would bless our friends who are labouring to meet the needs of refugees even when such mercy is unpopular. Strengthen them. Fill them with your Spirit. Give them wisdom. Meet their financial needs and even today fill them with the joy of your salvation.
All truth is your truth O Lord. So we pray Lord Jesus that this place would be a community in pursuit of the truth in all our relationships. Even today Lord, Meet us in the conflicts this interchange creates. You have said Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness and who suffer because of your Name. Fortify us with your love Lord and Let us all be set free by the Truth.
Join me now 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.