The Caribbean

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinque, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, St Barts, St. Eustatia, Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands. 

Intercessions

We are thankful for:

• the natural beauty, climate, and distinctive cultural practices of these islands

• how churches have responded to disasters and served all in need

• how liberation from colonialism and oppression has been pursued through music, words and actions

• the leaders of the ecumenical movement who have come from this region.

We pray for:

• those devastated by disasters, that their lives, communities and eco-systems might be rebuilt

• the strengthening of all who faithfully witness through word and deed to the gospel

• all those affected by crime and addictions

• good governance and smooth transitions between political leaders.

Prayers

God is worthy to be praised

L:             Almighty and everlasting God,
you are a merciful and forgiving God.
C:            You are worthy to be praised.

L:             You are a kind and loving God.
C:            You are worthy to be praised.

L:             You are a righteous and just God.
C:            You are worthy to be praised.

L:             Almighty God, all glory and honour are yours
because,
C:            You are worthy to be praised.

(© Hope Lindo, Jamaica)

Gracious and compassionate God,
faithful to all your promises,
supplier of our needs,
may we never underestimate
the value of all that you afford us;
nor the usefulness of the endowments you give
for the realization of your purposes.
May we never so take for granted
the gifts your bounteous grace provides
as to become victims of the callousness
that produces an abundance of waste.
And save us, we ask you, from becoming
purveyors of the careless and irresponsible disposal
of the waste we produce.

(© Neville Callam, Jamaica)

Prayer of thanksgiving

Creator God,
how could we possibly not thank you
for the earth you have given to us!
With joy we praise you
for the high mountains and their trees,
for the rushing waters of Caribbean rivers
which give the breath of inspiration
and the joy of fruitfulness,
for the forests so luxuriant in foliage,
the glorious tall trees
and the abundance of temperate climes.
Still more, we praise you
for the wisdom for living,
and the commitment which our dignified
and courageous ancestors taught us,
the neighbours in whom we became acquainted with you.

(From the 25th anniversary service of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, 15 November 1998. © 1998 Caribbean Conference of Churches.)

Song