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Prayer for Peace |
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Thursday, 20 September 2012 10:08 |
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Lord, give us a true vision of peace.
Not a peace that is tranquil, a peace that needs us to put our fingers in our ears to silence the cries of others.
Not a peace that is violent, based upon silencing our enemies by using the sword against them so that we may feel secure.
Not a peace that is lazy, and frees us from the responsibilities of work and struggle and determination.
As we see the horrors that continue to unfold in Syria, we want to ask why you seem to do nothing to bring peace.
As we see the endless cycles of violence turning in Israel and Palestine, we want to ask why you - and Almighty and loving God - do not intervene to bring peace.
As we see the indirect violence that our peaceful lives inflict upon those working under conditions of slavery, upon those whose environment is depleted, upon those whose economies are imprisoned in debt - we want to ask why you allow this to happen.
But all too often, our prayers rebound on us. Why do we allow this?
Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we might truly become a people of genuine peace: a people who fight for peace, a people whose relationships with others are marked with peace; a people whose lives are marked by our relationship with you.
(Friday is International Peace Day. More church resources are here)
The Revd Simon Perry http://simonperry.org.uk/
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Prayers for a dark world / Baptist World Alliance global prayer |
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Friday, 14 September 2012 09:27 |
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Light of the World
Lord, you are the light of the world.
But for many the world is a dark place: For people living with anguish and fear and violence, in the countless places in our world, where news is dark. Let your light shine.
In Syria where crises continue, where consequences of violence cloud both present and future in so many ways. In the minds of suffering and fear and grief, Let your light shine.
In our own country, with government cuts are starting to take effect, we pray for those who already feel themselves engulfed in darkness and despair, Let your light shine.
In our lives, when things don't turn out as planned, when we feel the effects of failure, of guilt, of hopelessness, of loneliness, of violence, anger or despare. Into our lives, let your light shine.
In our church, where we look through eyes that are critical, when we speak words of bitterness, when we perpetrate hypocrisy, tolerate gossip, point fingers, when we would rather judge than love others, rather tear down than build up, rather assume you are on our side than ask seriously whether we are on yours...
Restore our sight, restore our role as your witnesses, to us, for us, through us, Let your light shine, to glorify your name.
The Revd Simon Perry http://simonperry.org.uk/
Prayer from the people of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania
Your steadfast love and faithfulness, God, are the source of our life.
Your steadfast love and faithfulness are the reliable foundation for our faith.
Your steadfast love and faithfulness are guide and companion to the future of your world.
You let your Son, Jesus Christ; take the sin of the world to make us whole. You grant us communion with people, making your love and faithfulness present and alive to us.
We pray that you will make us, too, witnesses of your steadfast love and faithfulness.
Join the members of your people to a communion of practiced love and faithfulness.
Help us to forgive as you are forgiving. Help us to seek others as you have sought us. Let the spirit of Your Son, Jesus Christ, dwell in us in steadfast love and faithfulness. Amen.
From this week's Baptist World Alliance Global Impact Prayers
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Last Updated on Friday, 14 September 2012 09:34 |
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Prayers for BUGB/Going back to school, university and a new start |
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Thursday, 06 September 2012 10:47 |
Prayer for the Baptist Union of Great Britain
We call upon God in our prayers.
* Lord Jesus, we are sorry that we have not heard you when you have spoken.
We have become lukewarm in our commitment and failed to take heed of your voice.
We have become comfortable with things as they are without realising that you wish to offer more.
* Lord, you stand at the door and knock.
Thank you that you have not abandoned us.
We are on a journey of discovering within our own fellowship and as a Baptist family what you want for us in these days.
Help us to keep walking.
We need to hear your voice, especially during this time of significant change in the Baptist Union.
Help us to keep listening. You promise that if we seek you we will find you.
Help us to keep looking and to be expectant of you doing more with and through us than we can ask or imagine.
* We pray for our nation recognizing that you call us to be your people in our nation.
We acknowledge that we are your people for our nation.
We commit ourselves to being true disciples, light to the people we live amongst.
We pray that across the country our churches will be beacons of hope in the communities we are called to serve. May we be a people who bring Good News, Healing and Freedom.
Taken from the resources for the BUGB Day of Prayer on Sunday
http://www.baptist.org.uk/about-baptists/bugb-futures/885-bugb-day-of-prayer-sunday-9-september-2012.html
Prayer for going back to school/university/new start
God of life and love, we thank you for the new beginning that each day brings. We pray for the young people who will return to school, for those who are moving school, and those who are attending school for the first time. Eclipse anxiety with excitement, that education may be a truly liberating and joyful experience.
We pray for parents who breathe a deep sigh of late summer relief, and for parents who worry on their child's behalf. Awaken in them an awareness of the calling of parenthood, and encourage them through the highs and lows of their privileged ministry.
We pray for young people preparing to leave for university. Equip them with all that is needed on the road to independence. As their parents face a miniature grief, comfort them with the assurance of your presence with them and their children.
We pray for all who long for a new start. Reveal yourself to them as the God whose mercy is new every morning. You who have promised to restore the years the locusts have eaten, restore to us this day a deep love for you, a renewed desire to please you, a passion to receive the future you have planned for us.
The Revd Simon Perry
http://www.simonperry.org.uk/
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Last Updated on Thursday, 06 September 2012 11:05 |
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Prayers for the Paralympic Games |
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Thursday, 30 August 2012 12:46 |
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Lord as we watch Paralympians compete against one another, we marvel again at the wonders of the human body and the human spirit.
We see people whose courage and determination have overcome social prejudice, physical limitation and mental discouragement.
We thank you for the stories of daily life that underlies every great achievement and every medal won.
Show us, Lord, what it means for us to be courageous in our daily lives.
Show us what it means to be determined as we struggle with the adversities that face each of us.
Show us how to understand any social struggles we may face, within their proper context.
Lord, in a world where we are so often inspired by the trivial, and our heroes are so often mediocre, we thank you that as we watch the Paralympics we see something of what it means to be truly and fully human.
If our human life is a gift that comes to us, if humans are made in your image – show us again who we are, who you are, and where we are in relation to you.
The Revd Simon Perry
Lord Jesus Christ,
your love is more than gold,
and the warmth of your welcome is a taste of heaven.
We thank you for all involved in the London Paralympic Games;
for the skill and bravery of athletes;
for the wisdom and care of judges who ensure an equal chance for all;
for the support and encouragement of coaches and teammates;
and for the grace and kindness of volunteers who welcome all who come.
We ask that as the champions of the world unite in the spirit of Paralympic competition
you would grant us a vision of a world
united in mutual respect and tolerance
united in fairness and encouragement
united in harmony and peace.
We ask this in your name.
Amen.
Composed by the Church of England's Liturgical Commission, and added to a website section designed to resource churches as they engage with the 2012 Paralympic Games.
http://www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-holders/themed-services-and-events/2012-olympics.aspx
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Last Updated on Thursday, 30 August 2012 12:49 |
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