WORLD NEWS IN PRAYER THURSDAY, October 15 2015
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” –Isaiah 40:31
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not is us. If we confess our sins, the One who is faithful and just will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1: 8-9
“Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt you,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain;
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you,
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.”
–Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith excerpt from
“Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided”
The news is full of incidents of violence from Afghanistan to Turkey, Colombia to Israel and The West Bank, India to Syria, not just in war but also against women, the disabled, and different faith groups; anything that is ‘other’ from those who have power. This violence shows the depths to which we sink in our humanity. Though made in the image of God, humanity too often lives devoid of his compassion, love, insight and will. So often we rush to judgement on others but ignore the beam in our own eye and life.
Creator and Redeemer of all, we bring the brokenness of this, your world and all its people to you: the homeless, the refugee, those imprisoned and tortured, those without a voice; the powerless and powerful; those without food, medicine, water, or basic shelter and those of us with an obscenity of plenty; all who are suffering in body, mind or spirit; those nearing death, and those who have died.
ALL: Lord have mercy… (silence)
Christ our Savior, sometimes we feel unable to walk with you. We grow faint and exhausted with life. The news of violence, corruption and greed overwhelms and drains us. Sometimes we want to give up. But we do not despair. Instead we join together and give thanks that you do not condemn us, but invite us to come to You seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
ALL: Lord have mercy… (silence)
God of grace, we may not wish to follow in your steps or be open to your lead. We separate ourselves from your support and healing. Forgive us for all we have done or left undone, all we have said or left unsaid. You call forth eagles to bend wings in adoration. But there are times in life when we are unable to appreciate the gift of your creation in this world or in ourselves.
ALL: Lord have mercy… (silence)
In the silence of our hearts, we bring to the foot of the cross anything weighing heavily on us today: whether it be personal or for the world – we bring it and we leave it there. (silence)
Spirit of God, when we are weary and tired, unable to soar in the sky of life, we can look only to you for healing, and to be free to be ourselves as created by You, and for your world to be as you would have it be – your will done on earth as it is in heaven.
ALL: Lord, hear our prayer and let it be so. AMEN.
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