Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
on behalf of the church and the world.
Your love, O God,
is seen in what you do, not just in what you say:
in the blessing of children,
in the meals with outcasts,
in the touching of the untouchable,
in your presence,
and your self-giving,
in your opening of the way to life
to all who will come;
And your love, O God,
is expressed through people like us:
as we share our wealth in simplicity and generosity;
as we share wholeness in care and healing
of the sick and broken;
as we share hospitality by being truly present
to the lonely, the imprisoned and the marginalised;
as we share peace in kindness, listening and acceptance
with those who challenge us, confront us and threaten us.
You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son:
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred
which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion
to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you
in harmony around your heavenly throne.
O God, give us grace to take seriously
The great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions;
Take away all hatred and prejudice,
And whatever else may hinder us from godly union concord.
We know there is but one Body and one Spirit,
One hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
One Baptism, one God and Father to us all.
So make us of one heart, one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace,
Of faith and charity,
And that we may be of one mind.
Lord, hear our prayer.
You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father
O God, we pray for mercy on the people of Iran and Iraq
For the cities and villages that endured a 7.3 magnitude earthquake.
Sustain them as they dig frantically through the rubble.
Be with the families and medical teams grieving and caring
For the thousands injured, and the hundreds killed.
We pray for your church in these places that have been shaken.
May the spring to action and become for the people of Iraq and Iran
The hands and feet of Jesus.
May their actions be strengthened by our prayers,
And may your light and your love be known by their actions.
Hear our prayers, God of power,
and through the ministry of your Son
free us from the grip of the tomb,
that we may desire you as the fullness of life
and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy