Fifth Sunday in Lent: Passion Sunday

Readings: Jer 31:31-34; Heb 5:5-10; John 12:20-33

Let us pray for the church and the world. ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ John 12:21

O God who shakes heaven and earth, whom death could not contain***, we give thanks for the power of your word let loose in the world. We praise you for creation: arching skies, clouds and stars, swift-running streams and salt seas*. We give thanks for Aotearoa, its astonishing beauty and its people.

God of grace, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who work on land and sea, and those who use their skills to track shifting storms. We think of those who make decisions about our resources; may their judgments be considerate and just. We pray, too, for those affected by last year’s floods and storms, still living in makeshift situations, and not able to return home. We pray for ourselves and our neighbours, that our streets may be calm, arguments find resolution, and our children and elderly stay safe from harm. Remind us, O God, that the homeless and distressed are held by your sure and compassionate gaze. We pray for any who spend nights outside without shelter and little food. May we seek their good and not abandon them -- for in their faces, we may see Jesus. We pray for an end to war in Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Congo. May we each find ways to hope and work for peace.

God of grace, hear our prayer.

We pray for Christians preparing for Holy Week, and the tableau of sacred stories we hear each year. May we be inspired anew by Christ’s redeeming love, and learn to share our sacred stories, too. We pray for this diocese, its parishioners and musicians, clergy and bishop, giving thanks for +Justin and the coming ordination of Rev Ana Fletcher as assistant bishop. Let us remember our friends and families, and all in need of God’s embrace.

‘Help us dear God, to live each day as blessing.

And to each one of us, may you heal from the things you don’t talk about.

May you find peace with the things you bottle inside.

May you forgive yourself for what you have done and failed to do.

May the Holy One surround and carry you

today and every day.’** Amen.

Sources: NRSV Bible; ANZPB; *Pat Robson, A Celtic Liturgy; ** Bishop Deon Johnson; ***Janet Morley, All Desires Known; NEB Starr, prayers.