Prayers: Sunday, August 30th, 2026
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Te Rātapu Rua Tekau o He Wā Noa
Taken from/inspired by Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a,29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28, and the ANZPB
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Let us pray.
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
[Psalm 133]
Jesus, empower our communities
as we strive for unity.
[silence]
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
…God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.
[Romans 11:29-31]
May we, your church, be good custodians of your gifts.
[silence]
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
[from Matthew 15:25-28]
Lord, with faithful persistence, we pray for the world.
[silence]
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Come Holy Spirit with new fire; when our prayers seem to fail, when we hear no voice nor any answer, rouse us and light our way. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
