“… for I am verily persuaded the Lord hath more truth yet to break forth out of His Holy Word.” John Robinson.
Lord, the news is difficult, often strange, maybe false, maybe half truth, out of context and fuelled by conspiracy. What a relief to know that you have the truth contained within yourself; granted within our faith; within the community we forgetfully call the church, your family.
God, you have the truth to set us free.
At this time of Thanksgiving in the USA, as celebrations, family gatherings and parties happen, we remember those for whom there is no thanksgiving.
We pray for those trafficked for sex, for war games, for their organs, for their use as slaves.
You are closer to them than their next breath. May we work so your truth and justice can set them free.
As thanks are given for freedom from oppression, we pray for those who are driven to migrate. Perhaps they are searching for an El Dorado that only exists half in myth and half in dream. All too often they desperately seek safety and security of food and water, freedom from terror or to a land safe from rising sea levels. We pray for those whose lives are destroyed by flooding in Australia; changed by early snow from Ontario, Canada to New York State, USA.
We pray for those affected by seismological upheaval – in Indonesia following earthquakes, as volcanic ash alerts are given from Popocatépetl, Mexico; around the Ring of fire in the Pacific region through Kamchatka, Russia to Sakurajima, Japan.
Inspire us to live out your way of justice and compassion for all you have created – human, animal, vegetable and mineral.
We pray for those caught in the aftermath of needless violence; especially those peacefully shopping before being caught by a gunman in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA; the mother and two young children peacefully sleeping before being killed by an arsonist in Nottingham, England; and for those calmly going about their daily routine before being caught in bomb blasts in Jerusalem, Israel.
Comfort and help those dealing with the causes as well as the aftermath of such violence. Show us how to live your way of justice and peace.
We pray for parents in drought stricken Afghanistan without access to aid. In desperation to provide food, heat and clothes for their families, many are being forced to sell their kidneys and other organs, and even very young daughters contrary to their own deeply held Islamic faith tradition.
Holy One, You said “let the little ones come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven!” Open our eyes how to help those in need while balancing difficult political and terrorist concerns.
As those celebrating Thanksgiving remember also the unstinting and life-saving help given the original settlers by the local indigenous peoples, may we also learn to listen and learn from their living kindred as is finally starting to be done in Australia, Indonesia and India.
We give praise and thanks that we are forever able to turn to you for the light and truth of your Word in prophecy, psalmody and proclamation. Amen
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