Daily Prayers Tuesday, 20 December 2022

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
protect the rights of those who are helpless.
Speak out and pronounce a sentence of justice,
defend the cause of the wretched and the poor.”
~ Proverbs 31:8-9

The work of justice begins with prayer. As we seek justice on behalf of others, we rely on God to help us do what is only possible with and through God.

So we pray,

Creator God, you have given all peoples one common origin.
It is your will that they be gathered together
as one family in yourself.
Fill the hearts of those who trust in you with the fire of your love
and with the desire to ensure justice for all.
By sharing the good things you give us,
may we secure an equality
for all our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
May there be an end to division, strife and war.
May there be a dawning together of a truly human society
built on love and peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.

As we pray to God we recognise that God needs us to work together to answer the prayers,

We cannot merely pray to you, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way that people must find
their own path to peace within themselves and with their neighbours.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation;
For You have already given us the resources with which to feed the entire world,..
if we would only use them wisely.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes with which to see the good in all people,..
if we would only use them rightly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end despair;
For You have already given us the power to clear away slums and to give hope,..
if we would only use our power justly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds to search out cures and healing,..
if we would only use them constructively.
Therefore we pray to You instead, O God, for strength, determination and will power,
To do instead of just pray,
To become instead of merely to wish.
Amen.

To work with God challenges us to change our thinking and our ways, so we pray;

Spirit of God,
We have heard your call to share in building up the Kingdom of God.
Fill us with the desire to change ourselves and to change the world.
Enflame our passion for justice into a commitment to address unjust situations and structures.
Deepen our concern for our sisters and brothers in our country and overseas
who endure the burdens of poverty, war, exploitation and persecution.
Let us enthusiastically play our part in the mission of the Church in the modern world.
Banish any complacency in our hearts and minds.
Teach us to recognize the lack of justice,
that we may always act in the Spirit of justice.
May we envisage, pray about and create a different sort of world
in which injustice is replaced with a renewed sense of solidarity and care.
Enlivened by the Spirit, may we go forth in the peace of the Holy Spirit to love and serve the Lord.
Amen

We pray for the concerns identified in our Christmas Appeal;

God we pray that at this season of Christmas
May peace be in our hearts
so that they are open to the action of God’s love grace…

We pray for the work of Advantage Africa…
that through support in practical projects people may be able to build a better future for their families and communities
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

We pray for the work of Citizens Advice in Milton Keynes…
that through them those who have money problems will find support and a way through their worries.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

We pray for the Winter Night Shelter in Milton Keynes…
now open all year round for those with nowhere to sleep.
We pray for all those who have no home
and for the support and relief that the Night Shelter gives.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

May all members of the family community,
especially children, the elderly, the weakest,
through our prayer and practical support,
feel the warmth of this Christmas feast,
and may our prayers and generosity extend to all the days in the year.

We pray all these prayers and the deepest longings of our hearts
In the name of our Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
Amen.

And may the Lord bless you and keep you in his love,
This Christmas and always.
Amen

Margaret Goodall
On behalf of the Social Justice Group