Together We Pray

SUNDAY 28 January 2024, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple / 4th Sunday of Epiphany 

Readings: for The Presentation: Malachi 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40  

OR for 4 Epiphany: Deut 18:15-20; 1 Cor 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28 

Let us pray for the church and for the world, giving thanks for God’s goodness. 
God of life, we pray for places of trouble and distress 
For women and men caught in abuse or hardship, that help lifts them 
We pray for victims of natural and human disasters  
And those responding to their plight 
God of love, hear our prayer. 

We pray for people and wildlife living in places at risk 
For the seas , rivers and lands, our inheritance to pass on 
For all places needing sun or rain, comfort and peace 
God of love, hear our prayer. 

We pray for the faith to hold on, though the waters may rise  
For an awareness of beauty in simple things: 
A beautiful day, a friend’s return, a safe arrival… a moment of forgiveness 
We pray for the quiet after storms, for healing after illness  
For peace in places of conflict: Gaza, Palestine, Israel, the Congo, Ukraine  
So that the world and its children may know a gentler time   
God of love, hear our prayer. 

God of all, you came as a small child into the world’s turmoil and grace 
Be near, and dwell with us; hear our prayers for those struggling to believe  
We pray for our bishop, +Justin, and all who minister in our parishes, shops and city streets 
That we may serve one another,  and spread God’s light a little further  
‘Til darkness has no claim on our souls, and we become agents of His light. 
God of love, hear our prayer.  

Sources: NRSV Bible; NZ Prayer Book; NEB Starr, original prayers.