Prayers: 17th May 2026

Aranga Seven
Original prayers and Psalm 68:1-10,32-35; Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14,5:6-11; John 17:1-11.

A preparation

E te Atua o te maungārongo
whakatata mai rā
God of deep peace
draw near to us now.

E te Atua o te pūaroha
ūkuia o mātou roimata
mō rātou kua mene atu ki tō aroha.
Rātou ki a rātou.

God of unqualified love
wipe away our tears
for those who have been gathered
into your love.

Whakarongo mai ki a mātou, te hunga ora,
ki ō mātou whakawhētai, whakanui hoki.
Hear us, your living witnesses,
Hear our thanksgiving and worship.

Let us pray for our church and for its work today.

E te Ariki [Lord Jesus]
You ascended to God the Parent
You promised us a Companion

The flame that would become our flame -
The breath, our breath.

A breath to unite all Your people.
You blessed the disciples with the Spirit
But You also filled them with hope and purpose.
Now, with all our faults and failings,
May we in turn be a people of blessing,
Of hope in despair
Of purpose in chaos,
Of and ordinary and everyday love,
In our buildings, our homes, our workplaces,
And around the world.

Bidding: in our freedom, direct our hearts, e te Atua
Response: to You be all glory.

Let us pray for the world 
Holy Spirit, your presence
brings hope throughout our world,
especially where darkness prowls,

May those who fear remember Peter’s words:

Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.
Guide those who hold power,
and those who hold no power,
To decide to act in love;
May we, and they, know your presence,
And reach for your peace.

Bidding: in our freedom direct our hearts, e te Atua
Response: to You be all glory.

We pray for our communities, those in need, and our ministries.

Holy Trinity, Tokotoru Tapu
We lift to You our people, our places, our ministries;
our churches, our schools, our marae, our aiga.
Grant us to know the shalom of togetherness,
That the disciples shared, even after the Ascension.
Grant us also the understanding
That we do not have to fight
to clear a path through the bush for ourselves alone.
Help us to share with others what we can,
Grant that we who need help just to live
Will find that help.
And when we are alone,
grant us your presence always.

Bidding: in our freedom direct our hearts, e te Atua
Response: to You be all glory.