Together We Pray

SUNDAY 1 October 2023, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Tuesday 3 October and Thursday 5 October, Days of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Readings for Sunday 1 October: Exod: 17:1-7; Phil 2:1-13; Matt 21:23-32

God of all creation, you lead us beside still waters and throw open your doors to accept us. You give us a vision of the world made whole, nourished, and fragrant with love. You lead us to healing and grace, and remind us to welcome as Jesus did, the tired and hungry, needy and worn. Let us pray with open hands and hearts to be kind and generous, discerning and true, to those we encounter in church and in daily life.

God of love, hear our prayer.

O God, we know you are everywhere with us, and we call down your presence into the world. Be with our brothers and sisters engulfed in floods in Libya and shattered by earthquake in Morocco. We pray for the thousands of lives lost, and families grieving, that all may receive the care they need. Compassionate God, we are your hands and feet. Guide the rescue agencies to find survivors as deep waters recede and rubble is moved. We pray for ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, Sudan and anywhere violence occurs; may peace come armed with food and shelter, blankets and care. Teach us not to turn our eyes away, but do something good, that healing can emerge. May we be like ‘the heart hollowed by grief so we can embrace all who have lost everything’, as Jesus did for us**.

God of love, hear our prayer.

All-seeing God, may we meet you in our everyday conversations with a neighbour or friend, and in the eyes of the person next to us in church. We pray for the vision of your kingdom where the forgotten are honoured, and the lonely are loved**. In this green, ordinary season of our calendar year, may we look and find creation awakening in golden light. We give thanks for warm sun after so much rain and pray for energy for the tasks ahead: in our cities and farms, may this be a year of ripening and growth. We pray for the parishes of the Wellington Diocese and our bishop +Justin, for clergy and lay leaders, and those about to be ordained. Gentle God, may we be a source of encouragement and joy for another, and so grow faith like a garden to nurture and delight. Ours is a green land surrounded by calm seas; may we bring your love to an aching world. We pray for change and we see its signs: leaves unfolding; tuis rehearsing new songs; schoolchildren laughing on their way home. Shield the joyous, dear God. And for your goodness, we give thanks.

God of love, hear our prayer. Amen.

Sources: NRSV Bible; NZPB; *Mary Oliver; Joy Cowley; **Prayers from Iona; NEB Starr, prayers.