PRAYER FOR OUR TIME

Prayer for the Middle East

God of love,

We bring you our deep sorrow at what is happening in the Holy Land. Comfort those whose loved ones have been killed, or injured, or taken hostage, particularly the children, and shine the light of your love into the dark hearts of all those bent on violence and destruction. Dispel the darkness of fear and hate of all those who seek solutions through violence, and fill them with the light your compassion, and a desire for all to live in peace, justice and dignity.

God of love, hear our prayer.

Prayer for reconciliation with Indigenous Australians

God of love,

Following the failed referendum on 14 October, we pray that a way can be found that will lead to reconciliation with our first nations people. We ask you to give our Indigenous brothers and sisters peace in their hearts, despite the sadness, grief and hurt many will be feeling. And we pray that there will be a real, heartfelt desire in the government and among all Australians to seek and support ways of ending the injustices that many Indigenous Australians continue to endure, and move towards healing the wrongs of the past.

God of love, hear our prayer.

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell

A prayer for Peace

Let us together cry out
from our hearts: Never again war,
never again the clash of arms,
never again so much suffering!
We must never stop praying.
Indeed, let us pray to God
more intensely.
Come, Lord, Prince of Peace,
make us instruments and reflections of your peace!

Pope Francis

Climate Change prayer

God of creation, beauty and diversity, so fill us with your love that we will turn away from a selfish and reckless consumerism that pollutes, exploits and destroys; and commit to significantly reducing our carbon footprints.

Inspire us to strive for a society which cares for our precious and fragile planet and its air, forests, soils and waters; preserves its wonder and beauty; and cherishes its myriad life forms, recognising the deep interconnectedness and mutual dependence of all life.

Open the hearts and minds of all political leaders to the reality of global warming and give them the desire and will to act urgently to combat its causes; and bless and uphold all those individuals and organisations striving to care for your creation. Amen.

Coronavirus Prayer

God of love, we pray that all those who have contracted COVID-19, particularly those in hospital, be held in your loving care.

We also pray for all those who have refused to be vaccinated, and for all those who have been affected by anxiety, stress and economic hardship during lockdowns.

We also remember the people of poorer countries at this time, and pray that wealthy countries like Australia will be generous in coming to their aid.

Enfold in your love and peace all those who have lost loved ones, and those who have lost their incomes and livelihoods. Shield the poor and vulnerable from all harm. Bless and uphold the health workers who are tending the sick, and the political leaders and their advisers in their decision making. Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer by Richard Rohr)

Black lives matter prayer

We lament the brutality towards, and oppression of, Afro-Americans and Indigenous peoples.

Dear God of love, we pray that you will:

Enfold in your love and peace all those who have lost loved ones, and shine the light of your love into the darkness of hate, violence and discrimination suffered for so long by Afro-Americans and Indigenous peoples.

Bless all non-violent Black Lives Matter protests, and open the hearts and minds of all to the beauty and healing power of your love and peace.

Amen.

Prayer and action for justice and healing

Hear the cries of the poor; hear the cries of the earth - Pope Francis.

God of love,

So flood us with your love that we will be beacons of love, peace, understanding, forgiveness and hope in an often dark, divided and violent world.

Make us channels of your love, agents of transformation in a troubled world.

God of compassion, justice, truth and goodness,

So flood us with your compassion that our hearts and minds will be opened to those who suffer and need our help; and that we will seek to serve those we can with a selfless love.

Empower us to fearlessly speak truth to power; pursue justice for the poor and disadvantaged, the homeless, Indigenous peoples and refugees; and strive for the common good in a society which cares for all and nurtures the wellbeing and potential of all.

God of generosity and hospitality,

Give us warm and generous hearts to welcome and embrace all, regardless of socioeconomic status, ability or disability, age, ethnicity, faith beliefs or non-belief, gender and sexual orientation.

God of creation, beauty and diversity

So flood us with your love that we will turn away from a selfish and reckless consumerism that pollutes, exploits and destroys; and commit to significantly reducing our carbon footprints.