Holy, holy, holy God,
in calling forth creation from the void,
revealing yourself in human flesh,
and pouring out your wisdom to guide us,
you manifest your concern for your whole universe.
You invite us, as your people,
to gather the world's needs into our hearts
and bring them before you.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for your church throughout the world,
for those that are thriving and those which have lost a sense of direction.
We give thanks for our church and its people,
and gladly acknowledge all the gifts you have given us through its life,
we ask you to open wide our hearts
that we may welcome the stranger and share our faith with others,
Open wide our minds that we may receive truth and understand your will
Open wide our doors, that as we come in to worship
so we may go out with you to the service of the world
Open wide our lives that through discipline and prayer
we may experience your power in daily living.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord we praise you for your creation.
You have provided mankind with everything it needs for life and health.
Grant that the resources of the earth may neither be hoarded by the selfish
nor squandered by the foolish, but that all may share your gifts.
We remember all who bear the responsibility of leadership,
for heads of state, ambassadors and political advisers.
Give them a vision of peace and reconciliation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for peace in the world.
Create in us a love for peace.
Not peace that is absent from struggle,
nor peace that is blind to injustice,
but peace that makes whole what now is broken.
We remember those who struggle against injustice;
for men and women who have to establish love’s supremacy in violent and oppressive societies, and for those whom war and famine have robbed of homes, families, and friends.
May they be filled with your strength and wisdom
and grant that where the love of man has failed, your divine compassion may heal.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We remember those who are sick, sad, or lonely
and those who are brave and patient when things are going wrong.
We pray that they may be aware of your comforting presence
and know that in your hands they are safe and loved.
Holy, holy, holy God,
fill us with strength and courage,
with discernment and compassion,
that we may be your instruments of justice and love in this world, that it may be on earth as it is in heaven.
All of this we ask in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer