Daily Prayers Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Good morning and welcome to our Prayers for the Day.
This is the Day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it.
Amen
Watching and listening to media these days has become increasingly gloomy and distressing to me. The main bulletins are all about death and suffering of people from a variety of causes. We have been living with the effects of Covid-19 for the last two years and now we are experiencing the effects of wars. My recent visit to a service station for fuel and realising the daily increase cost of filling up my car didn’t make it better either. I began to question myself was this part of God’s plans for our 2022 lent season? What am I to take from this experience? Unfortunately I remain with unanswered questions.
Isaiah 58:6-9
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” (NIV)
Trent C. Butler summarized this Bible passage by saying: “If ritual fasting was simply boosting one’s own religious ego, what was the key to divine blessing? What was acceptable to the Lord? God called for concrete action, helping others in need. Again the emphasis is on overcoming injustice with righteous acts. God does not want anyone under someone else’s yoke. Here is the beginning of the fight against slavery of every kind. God hates oppression. He wants his people to set oppressed people free. God’s people are dedicated to providing the basic needs of life to those who do not own them. We feed the hungry and provide shelter for the poor, homeless wanderer. We clothe those who cannot afford proper clothing, and we make sure we take care of our own flesh and blood”
Reflecting on the above words – to me this is a message in season. We are currently living in challenging times; there are conflicts between nations with thousands dying and millions displaced, social injustices, racial injustices, sky rocketing cost of living amongst others. As we continue to journey in our lent season let’s bring our thoughts together and reflect on true meaning of lent and consider how we could individually or collectively contribute towards positive changes in others. Taking from Revd George’s words on Sunday, true giving up is when the sacrifice will benefit another person in need. Let us be true ambassadors of Christ and become touch bearers where there is darkness. Provide hospitality and share resources to those fleeing war torn areas. Together we can make Cornerstone a true “Oasis of Hope” in Milton Keynes.
Silence …..
Let us pray…..
Loving God we know that we are not perfect and we are sorry that sometimes pressures overcomes us and we make wrong decisions.
Forgive us, and help us to be patient with you, to be guided by you, and to be obedient to you today.
Lord in your mercy…..
Hear our prayer
God of the past, the present and the future our thoughts and prayers are with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine and surrounding countries in their fear and distress.
We pray for all other regions of the world where there is conflict, unrest or oppression. We pray that reconciliation will overcome hatred, peace will conquer war, hope will replace despair and that your plans for the world and for us its people will be fulfilled.
We pray for those facing discrimination based on their colour, ethnicity, or faith; we pray for those who have experienced the loss of family, friends and livelihoods; and we pray for the many people who do not have access to basic needs such as food and safe shelter.
We pray that media outlets can accurately report the racism and to raise awareness of the unjustifiable acts of discrimination taking place in the midst of war zones in which every day is a matter of life and death for all those caught up in the conflict.
Lord in your mercy…..
Hear our prayer
We pray for the people coordinating humanitarian aid. Give them courage, grant them strength, good health and guidance in their mission.
We pray for the initiations on ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and that you give wisdom to the mediators in the process.
We pray for political and societal leaders around the world, in the face of difficult decisions this week, and with the responsibility to do all that they can to bring about a better, fairer, more just world, we pray for wisdom and grace for each and every one of them.
Lord in your mercy…..
Hear our prayer
God of Love, through this Lenten journey, purify our desires to serve you. Free us from any temptations to judge others, to place ourselves above others. Let us surrender even our impatience with others, that with your love and your grace, we might be less absorbed with ourselves, and be filled with desire to follow you, in laying down our lives according to your example. Guide us to see your goodness in this wilderness of this lent.
Lord in your mercy…..
Hear our prayer
Almighty God, You showed us through the life of you on Jesus Christ, that You are willing to do something different for the sake of generosity. Please give us hearts of compassion like yours and help us to be alert to those in need of Your transforming love. Help us to be ready to be changed ourselves as we reach out to others. Show us ways to restore our relationships, our community and our world.
Lord in your mercy…..
Hear our prayer
Father God, you are our rock, we call on you today, believing that you will lift up our heavy burdens and strengthen us for tasks on our ways. Renew our strength, Lord. Fill us with your supernatural power to overcome each obstacle in ours paths by walking with you today and beyond.
Merciful Father.
Accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Amen.
Have a wonderful blessed day!!
Grace Harding
