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Prayer
Merciful Lord God, you are peace, concord, purity and goodness.
You are the Father and Lord of all who cherish thoughts of peace.
Grant us humility, hope and a steadfast faith.
Enable us to live with one another in love, since love is the fulfilment of the law;
and, as we become sons and daughters of peace and concord,
worthy to be called blessed by your Son,
may we be salt of the earth and light to the world. Amen
(Pilgrim Prayer, 5)
♪ The Blessing, Egypt - بركة مصر بمشاركة الاباء والعابدين والعائلات من محافظات مصر
Responsive Psalm 110
The Lord says to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The Lord sends out from Zion your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your foes.
Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day you lead your forces
on the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning,
like dew, your youth will come to you.
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses;
he will shatter heads over the wide earth.
He will drink from the stream by the path;
therefore he will lift up his head.
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: Luke 6: 27 – 31
27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Reflection question: In the same way that there can be imaginary friends, there can also be imaginary enemies. However, whether real or imagined, what are some of the acts of love that we can do our enemies in this new year. How might we respond if these are rejected?
Prayer of Intercession
Merciful God, with the birth of your Son Jesus Christ in Bethlehem you became one of us; you shared our joy, suffering and pain. We thank you for taking refuge in Egypt, placing yourself in the midst of refugees and victims of political power. We thank you for your suffering on the cross, identifying yourself with those suffering from injustice and living under occupation.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Eternal God, you know the troubles and pains of the people of Israel-Palestine: We pray for the victims of injustice and violence but also for those who cause suffering. We pray for those who cannot enter their places of work. for young people who are losing their hope in the future, for mothers who are tired of bloodshed and killing, for bereaved families, who have lost their beloved ones.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Healing God, we pray for the recovery of the injured, and for those who have to live with permanent disability. We pray for politicians; grant them wisdom and courage to search for reconciliation and peace.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Reconciling God, we are all created in your image. Grant us courage to recognize every person’s human, religious, civil and political rights. Help us to build a culture of peace, justice and reconciliation. Free us from all hatred and bitterness.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (Jn 14:27) Gracious God, give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, peace in our hearts.
Merciful God, accept our prayers and yearnings.
You are our only strength, refuge and hope, in the name of Jesus, our liberator and redeemer. Amen.
(Pilgrim Prayer, 5 – 6)
With the words that Jesus taught us, let us now pray together in the language of our hearts –
Our Father…
Benediction
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and all peace in faith, so that we may abound in
hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
