SUNDAY 25 February 2024

Second Sunday in Lent

Readings: Gen 17:1-7, 15-16; Rom 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38 OR Mark 9:2-9

Let us pray for the church and for the world, giving thanks for God’s goodness.

Teach me, dear God, the way of your truth,
and I shall follow it to the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law,
I shall keep it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your wisdom;
to do your will is my deepest desire.

Incline my heart to your love,
and not to envious greed.

Establish me in your promise,
be faithful to those who are in awe of you.

Take away from me the rejection that I fear,
for your justice is good.

See, my delight is in your commandment:
quicken me in the power of your word. (Psalm 119:33–40)

‘Eternal God, you bring hope out of emptiness

energy out of fear, new life out of grief and loss.

comfort all who have lost their homes

through persecution, war, exile, or deliberate destruction’ – or storms.

‘Give them security, a place to live, and neighbours they trust

to be, with them, a new sign of peace to the world’.*

God of love, hear our prayer.

We pray for an end to war in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, Africa and Russia.

And we pray for those who carry the painful, difficult work of peace.

We pray for people seeking justice long overdue

and those with the power to grant it, and not withhold it.

Help us believe in your justice, mercy, and love.

God of love, hear our prayer.

We are grateful for our identity and history in Aotearoa.

We remember the work of the city mission and Common Grace.

We think of all joining in Lenten studies; may their gatherings be fruitful.

As the search concludes for an assistant bishop and colleague for Bishop Justin, we offer thanks for Rev Ana Fletcher, newly named to become Assistant Bishop, and pray for her, her husband Paul and their family. May they sense the deep grace of their ministry, and the blessing of our prayers.

Sources: NRSV Bible; NZ Prayer Book; *Janet Morley, All Desires Known 3rd ed., NEB Starr.