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With the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle we pray for the churches and people of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
Churches Week of Action on Food
Prayer
Creator God, Mother and Father,
we give thanks to you for night and day,
for the air and water that gives us breath and sates our thirst.
We thank you God for the gift of knowledge and presence
and for the knowledge passed down by our ancestors, grandfathers and grandmothers
who taught us by example the concepts of good and evil.
We ask you God, to help us understand one another
and form us into loving and compassionate beings,
and to put your teachings into practice by following you God,
despite the constant division, violence and hate that surrounds us.
Give us courage, strength and the ability to reconcile the anger,
impotence and frustration that we experience
when the avarice of others causes affliction, death and pain to those we love and respect. Allow us to continue to walk together in accompaniment with our brothers and sisters.
Teach us to walk with you, follow you
and do your work towards peace, justice and dignity. Amen
(Pilgrim Prayer, 179, adapted)
♪ Psalm 91
English translation:
1. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Refrain:
My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!
Surely he will save us from the deadly pestilence!
2. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness and produces mortality.
Refrain
3. The Lord is our refuge, the Most High our dwelling place,
no evil shall befall us, no scourge come near our home.
Refrain
Responsive Psalm 96
O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Scripture Reading – Deuteronomy 17: 14 – 20
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Reflection Question: In what ways can the church engage meaningfully with political leadership helping them to see the how their actions and decisions impact the people they lead?
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Eternal God, we come giving thanks for the cultures and foods distinctive to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, yet enjoyed around the world.
All praise and thanks to you.
We rejoice for the indigenous and other groups who have resisted injustice and human rights violations.
All praise and thanks to you.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the bold witness of church leaders who have spoken out and acted on behalf of the poor and marginalized.
All praise and thanks to you.
Creator God, we acknowledge and give thanks for the developments that improve life for all, while also caring for the environment.
All praise and thanks to you.
As we give thanks, we also pray for democratic election of stable governments committed to the peace and wellbeing of all its citizens in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
Hear our cry, we pray.
God of all consolation give comfort and healing for the families and loved ones of those who have been killed or disappeared and may there be justice for those responsible.
Hear our cry, we pray.
Through the Spirit’s enabling, give guidance and wisdom to all in authority so that they will seek to bring an end to corruption, drug traffic, and violence, and bring to justice too those who profit from such activities.
Hear our cry, we pray.
We pray believing for improved economic life and trade policies so that people will not be exploited and can pursue livelihoods in these countries rather than migrating elsewhere for work.
Hear our cry, we pray.
(Pilgrim Prayer, 178 – 179, adapted)
Silent Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (in our many languages)
Prayer of commitment
Leader: May we always be hungry for righteousness;
All: overcome injustices that brings about hunger!
Leader: May we always be hungry for peace;
All: overcome insecurity, suffering and displacement!
Leader: May we always yearn to care for each other and the environment;
All: so that the earth will remain abundant for all creation! Amen.
