Iran, Iraq, Syria

Intercessions

We are thankful for:

• the resilience of the people who remain in their homelands even when they face
  constant threats and ongoing violence
• the relief and assistance that has been provided to so many
• those who have made a new home for refugees fleeing from these countries
• those who have worked continually for peace, justice and reconciliation.

We pray for:

• an end to the violence racking these battlefields of global powers
• political leaders emerging in these countries who will pursue peace, the common good, and human rights of all groups
• the international  community to pursue policies that will result in acceptable, just peace for all involved
• greater openness to welcoming those displaced or fleeing from these lands, desperately seeking safety and wellbeing.

Prayers

Litany for Iraq

For lasting peace in this ancient land –
from you, O Lord.
For wisdom and compassion for all in authority –
from you, O Lord.
For comfort of families separated or bereaved –
from you, O Lord.
For the release of captives –
from you, O Lord.
For safety and security for minority communities—
from you, O Lord.
For refreshment for the weary and healing for the sick –
from you, O Lord.
For continuing faithfulness of the ancient churches of this land –
from you, O Lord.
For tenacity of spirit for small Christian groups –
from you, O Lord.
For the mutual enrichment and support of those of different Christian traditions –
from you, O Lord.

You, Lord of all, we confess;
You, Lord Jesus, we glorify;
For you are the life of our bodies
And you are the Saviour of our souls.

The response in the litany and this hymn both come from the Chaldean liturgy. The ancient hymn celebrates Christ the source of resurrection in all situations of death and deprivation. (in: With All God’s People, p. 21 + 22)

Prayer of praise

Christ has been revealed among us.
He who is God is here seated.
The voice of peace has sounded.
The command for the Holy greeting has been given.
The church has become one soul.
The kiss has been given as a full bond.
The adversity has been removed,
and love has been spread among us all.
Now, O you ministers, raising your voice,
give praise in unison,
to the united Godhead
to whom the Seraphim give praise.

(From The Sacred Music and the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, sent by a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Iran)

Prayer of Lament

Our Father in Heaven, holy is your name—
may it be made holy again.
We cry out to you, standing in your presence,
and remembering your promises—
with your own words, Lord God, we declare it:
Syria is your people, Iraq your handiwork.
Yet our hearts have fainted.
We are oppressed.
We need to see your love and forgiveness.

How we need your comfort now—
we need to know your love more than ever.
How long, O Lord?
How long will you leave your people
in this state of weakness, this hole of wickedness?
How long will you leave the work of your hands,
and let the depravities of the evil one flourish?
How long must we be cut off from our loved ones?
How long will we be strangers among the living?
Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy.
Have mercy on your children’s children,
have mercy on those who declare your holy name.

Forgive us every sin, silence our sighing,
and bring the joy of your salvation to our mouths again.
Forgive our complicity with any oppression,
and our years of spiritual famine and faithless fear.
Forgive us, forgive our fathers and mothers,
forgive our friends and leaders, forgive our enemies.
Pour out your Spirit now, O Lord—as it is in heaven,
let your kingdom come.

Give us faith in place of faltering, fuel our hopes,
and let the earth see your glory made new.
Do what we cannot ask for or imagine,
and bring a real and lasting healing to our land.
Open the eyes of the blind, now,
and strike shame and repentance in the hearts of the guilty.
Heal the spirit of your churches,
and let your faithful ones be remembered aright.
Cause the name of Christ to be known,
and let his light bring morning to our night.

Be the same to us, O God, as you were
to the Israelites in the Exodus, and in the wilderness of Sinai.
So that gardens of peace would grow in these wastelands of war,
and that your name be lifted high.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
we pray this—
One God forever and ever praised.
Amen

(by Naji Umran)

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