Prayers of the Community

By Susan DuMoulin
August 31, 2003

God of all being and source of every perfect gift,
we thank you for the blessings of creation; they tell of your glory;
for our land, its beauty, its resources and the rich heritage we enjoy.
We pray for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth;
that we may use your gifts responsibly.
We pray for those who work on land and sea, in city and in industry:
that all may enjoy the fruits of their labours and marvel at your creation.
We pray for artists, scientists and visionaries;
that through their work we may see creation afresh.

God of grace, hear our prayer

We thank you for giving us life: for all who enrich our experience;
for the care and companionship of family and friends;
for our pets, entrusted to our keeping, who delight and comfort us.
In response to your call in Scripture to care for "orphans and widows",
we pray for all who through their own or others' actions are deprived of the fullness of life:
for prisoners, refugees, evacuees, the poor and marginalized, victims of injustice and violence
and all who suffer the pain of sickness, depression, fear or grief.
We pray especially for Edythe Garrett, Kay Metheral, Evelyn Hughes,
for Donna Wong-Juliani and Alessandro on the untimely death
of their husband and father, John Juliani,
as well as for all those in our province who have lost their homes to the forest fires,
that they and others whose names are in our hearts, or known to you alone,
may receive strength and courage.

God of grace, hear our prayer

We thank you for all who seek to bring life to others:
for those in medical science, social and relief work, for your Church,
especially for this community of faith that supports and equips us to serve as your disciples;
for the work of our Board and our various Ministry Teams.
In response to your call in Scripture to keep ourselves "unstained by the world",
we pray that you bless the educational programs starting up this Fall at
Canadian Memorial: Children's Church, Disciple Bible Study, Centerpoint, Membership classes,
along with our on-going Small Groups and Daytime Bible Study,
that our faith may be confirmed and strengthened.

God of grace, hear our prayer

We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation.
Give us reverence for life in your world. 
We pray especially for an end to hostilities in Israel and Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan 
and the troubled spots in the world,
for care and relief for the people of France where so many are dying from the heat wave
and of the African countries affected by the Aids pandemic.
We thank you for your steadfast and redeeming love.
May your word and your love strengthen us to love you as you love us.
We thank you that you have called this congregation to be instruments of your peace.
Empower us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger,
that we may live with meekness according to your implanted word
and be blessed as doers of the word, not merely hearers.
We thank you for the privilege of living in this country of Canada,
with its freedom and opportunities for education, employment and
recreation.
May your Spirit continue to work through us
and guide us in faithful stewardship of all that we have received.

God of grace, hear our prayer

O Holy One, it is you who shape our dreams.
As we put our trust in you, may your hopes and desires be ours
and we your expectant people.

Let us pray together as Jesus taught us...