Image
Sunset over the fields in the countryside

De Glind, Netherlands.

Photo:

Intercessions

Give thanks for:

  • the important roles political leaders here have played in European integration.
  • how people here have led in creative solutions to environmental, economic, and cultural challenges.
  • how churches here have overcome barriers and reached out to assure a good life for all.
  • the ecumenical contributions that have come from this area, and their continuing support.

Pray for:

  • overcoming cultural, linguistic and political barriers and suspicions that remain divisive.
  • the haunting legacies of colonization and quests for economic gain.
  • immigrants who are alienated or marginalized in these societies.
  • greater tolerance and solidarity with all in these societies and around the world.

Prayers

Prayer for Faith, Hope and Love

Let us pray for Faith:
That it will be the fruit of right hearing.
That at all times there will be people
with an open mind and open ears
who will listen sharply to your word
and pay attention to the needs around them.
We pray:
Let us be such people.  

Let us pray for Hope:
That it will be the fruit of a living faith.
That at all times there will be people
growing towards the light,
continuously filled with courage and never cease being hopeful.
We pray:
Let us be such people.  

Let us pray for Love:
That she is the fruit of a living faith and hope.
That at all times there will be people
never giving up being alarmed
about the continuing existence of the earth:
The care for animals and entire environment
that lend assistance in friendship,
that abolish loneliness,
that help working out sorrow and grieve,
that show sympathy with joy.  

We pray to you, O Lord.
Let us recognize one another
in deeds of faith, hope and above all through love.

(© Rev. Pieter Post)

Prayer for people in need

Dear God,
there are so many people in need!
Like everyone in this world,
refugees are in need of a place to live,  
a warm bed, food, clothing, a decent wash…  
Dear God, you know that we need all those things,
but, most of all, we need people who care,
to share our love, our hope and our future.
We need to be needed.
Dear God, you know that we are in need.
Come and give us a hand! Amen.

(From http://www.ccme.be/members-info/)

Prayer

Lord, we pray for the world,
for the world in which we live.
We pray for the girl who says:
I don't want to live anymore
and for the boy who confesses:
I sometimes want to end it all.
We pray for the new-born baby
with an uncertain future.
Lord, we pray for the world,
for the world in which we live.

Lord, we pray for all the people,
all the people in this world
who feel scared or upset;
who are ill or lonely.
We pray for people around the world
who have no freedom or no family.
Lord, we pray for all the people
all the people in this world.

Lord, we pray for the world,
for the world in which we live.
We pray that the world will not collapse
under the weight of violence and hate
and that our eyes will remain open
to beauty and goodness,
so that we may also pray:
Lord, we thank you for this world,
the world in which we live.
Amen.

(from the Dutch Dienstboek Schrift Maaltijd en Gebed, p. 793 no 65)

Song