Wednesday Prayers, 31 March 2021

God of heaven and earth,
this is Holy Week but we might be forgiven
for not noticing.
Much of the world is trapped by the very unholy:
exploitation, financial ruin, food and water shortages,
war, conflict, disease and lack of resources;
and an ongoing climate catastrophe
hanging over everyone’s heads.
That’s before the word ‘pandemic’ is even mentioned.

And yet today’s world is not unlike the world
You came to around two thousand years ago
and lived for and died for and rose for.
Similar problems, even if now practised
on a more industrial scale.
Technology and ability has changed,
but human nature is much the same,
just as Your love and faith in humanity
remains as strong and unexpected as ever.

We pray this week that You might help us
to reassert important common values:
compassion, generosity to those in need,
the importance of community, respect for all people –
no matter their sex, gender, sexuality, race, colour and religion –
so that these things begin to matter more –
both to us and to policymakers –
than facilitating selfishness
and hoping any riches will somehow ‘trickle down’.

May we find strength in working together
internationally and in local communities
to build better places for all.
And may those who lead
listen to what’s truly needed at the grass roots
and respond to that rather than their own agendas.

Be with all who are responding to the pandemic
or who have been affected by it
sometimes with loss or serious illness.
Guide us with Your wisdom.
And bless all your congregations this Holy Week
that we might increase our faith
and go on to live lives more worthy
of what You have called us to.

We pray for all in need today, especially for:
Peter, Bill B, Evelyn, Jean, Janet, Sara,
Zoe, Gordon and John, Emily, Allan, Malcolm,
Eleanor, Andrew, Ela, Jennifer, Mary,
Mary M’s family, Jill, John N, David and his family, Yvonne,
Bill M, John C, Karen, Mary D, Ceala and her family.
Be with them.

Give comfort, strength and hope to them
and to all who seek to follow in Your way,
the way of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.