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Prayers of the Community |
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A Prayer By Jocelyn Pritchard |
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There are many things we could pray for this morning. We could pray for more heat in this building. But I think we can deal with that ourselves and we don’t need to bother God with that one! Down through the ages people have talked to God in a variety of ways – they have praised God every day; they have questioned God often; others have prayed automatically as if it were a sense of duty; and still others have raged against God. Each of us prays in our own way – so let us pray now remembering that god’s Spirit lives not only in this group of people, but within each one of us and is no further away than our very breath. And as we remember this, we still say O GOD, WHERE ARE YOU? People are warring with each other in military arenas, in private homes, in business offices, in governments, and on the streets. GOD, WHERE ARE YOU IN ALL OF THIS? People are treating other humans beings in inhuman ways – young boys are being trained as soldiers; young girls are being sold into prostitution rings; teen-agers are living on the streets. DO YOU KNOW THIS, GOD? People in Java are dying and being separated from their families; people in Dafur are starving; so are some people in Canada; people are dying of cancer. We know you are not in favour of all of this, God. We know we have to find a way to show our concerns and love for all your creation. But often, we don’t know what to do. We need leaders all over your world who will commit to providing for the good of all people. We need parents willing to teach and train children to keep in mind the Christian values they have grown up with. We need people who will work for the good of all children and adults. We dare to ask you for help in finding these people. Our population is full of tension and stress. Life is going faster and faster. We are in “full motion” all the time thinking we are getting ahead. We are just getting further and further away from you. We seem to be on a treadmill ignoring you and our fellow human beings, making life the best for us. We ignore the wisdom of the ages. We don’t remember that life is better when we share and work together. Give us the courage to change our lives and to stand up and work for what we know is right. At the same time we ask for patience and understanding as we try to follow Christ. In our churches help us to build up a commitment to you; enable us to show your peace, joy, love and hope in all we do and say; fill us with an energy and eagerness to make our lives count for you and to make life full of meaning. We need you to work through us. We give thanks for the church throughout the world, especially the World Council of Churches and our own United Church of Canada. Bless this congregation. May we be filled with your Spirit. We give thanks for the teachers in our midst, for those in responsible positions, for our clergy people and for the instrumentalists and singers. We give thanks for the peace in Ireland that we hope will be a lasting one, and for all peace makers; for the efforts of humanitarian groups in aiding people in need; for clean water (what there is left); for birds and animals ( what there is left); and for the beauty of colour in our gardens and in these wonderful flowers here this morning in memory of the Fowlis’ parents. We are thankful for the wholesomeness of our friends and the love of our families; for the child-like qualities of our youngsters, and for new babies; and for the wisdom of our elders. Be with all those enduring pain, or suffering in mind, body or spirit. May they know your presence and abiding love. Be with them in their need. God, bless us and disturb us. O come, Christ our Saviour, from below, from above, from all around us, and “infect the depths of earth with heavenly love.”[†] In your name we pray. Amen |
