Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
John 20:28, 29
Eternal God, three in one and one in three;
- We give thanks for the countless faithful believers who, down the centuries, have communicated the good news of Easter so that we believe today.
- We give thanks for those who are prepared to speak out at the countless injustices they see: against tyranny, greed, discrimination, inequality, and -isms, at what cost we only guess.
- We give thanks for those who open their hearts and homes to refugees along borders and across continents.
We pray:-
- For the people of Shanghai in the fourth week of total lockdown – suffering illness and lack of food.
- For the people of Mariupol in an entirely different form of lockdown – besieged and starving
- For the Afghan refugees – still struggling to find a permanent home.
- For those in Sweden caught in the controversy over burning the Quran
- For those caught by the spring snowstorm from New York State to Virginia
- For the refugees crossing the English Channel – who may face immediate deportation to Rwanda to a firm owned by the Chancellor’s -in-laws.
We pray:-
- That climate change predictions will be understood for what they mean not what governments want to believe they mean, as scientists map coral reefs in the Caribbean.
- That we genuinely try to alleviate the existing threats of global warming as South Africa and the Philippines cope with destructive flooding.
- That those in authority, from police to politicians, from multinational retailers to multinational haulers come to understand there is no law to which they are not subject.
- That those who seek to take advantage of Russia’s war by illegally mining the Yanomami Indigenous Territory are held to immediate account.
- That Irish Travellers, suffering the worst discrimination and racism in Europe, are acknowledged and supported.
- That you, the God of peace, may be seen again in Jerusalem.
We are grateful that we can see you in the multiple acts of kindness we experience from friends and strangers.
We are grateful for those who put their lives at risk to document war crimes; defuse land mines and care for the injured.
We are grateful, Father creator, for Jesus and for the indwelling Spirit by whose actions we can pray for all your created world.
Amen.
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