Prayer of confession / Prayer for renewal
L1: God of life,
you created the world and saw that it was good.
L2: Yet, because of our greed and consumption,
we cut down the jungles,
L1: we eliminate plants and animals.
L2: We are destroying the earth.
L1: We pray for wisdom and strength.
L2: Make us co-workers with you,
to restore life for the dying creatures.
L1: In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L1: God of justice,
you command us to establish justice for all.
L2: Yet, because of our self-centeredness and indifference,
we let the gap between the rich and the poor widen;
L1: we do not have legal protection for migrant workers;
L2: we ignore children living on the street;
L1: we feel helpless seeing young women and men
trapped in human trafficking.
L2: We pray for wisdom and courage.
L1: Make us co-workers with you,
to strive for justice and share your abundance.
L2: In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L1: God of peace,
you command us to love one another
and live in peace with our neighbours.
L2: Yet, because of our closed minds,
prejudice and suspicion of difference,
we frequently choose violence and war,
L1: we discriminate against minorities and the marginalized,
L2: we suppress basic human rights,
L1: we contribute to conflict amongst ethnic and religious groups.
L2: We pray for wisdom and humility.
L1: Make us co-workers with you,
to embrace one another and walk peacefully together.
L2: In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
L1: Tender and compassionate God,
L2: sustain in our hearts the spirit of loving-kindness.
L1: Strengthen our work with neighbours of different creeds and beliefs,
cultures and ethnicities.
L2: Guide us as we bring healing to this earth and all of its creatures.
L1: Preserve in our hearts songs of peace and rhythms of justice.
L2: In your mercy,
C: hear our prayer. Amen.
18. Blessing
L1: Let us ask for God’s blessing.
C: May God bless us with the Spirit
of courage and wisdom,
that we may bear witness to the hope
that is within us. Amen.
(AWPC © 2013 WCC)