The Apostle Paul challenges us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. “Do not be conformed to this world,” he says, “but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect”. (Rom. 12:1-2)
With that in mind, let us pray.
Living God:
As a community of believers, we confess that we do not bless those who persecute us; we do not always live in harmony; we are proud, we are conceited, and we often repay evil with evil. We neglect your laws, which you have generously written on our hearts, and we ignore your Holy Spirit who guides us in goodness and love. We are eager to serve you, but we are weak, easily distracted, easily mislead, and we’re often double-minded.
We repent of our wrongdoing, and we lay claim to your mercy, and to the forgiveness that you offer, through your Son Jesus Christ. We ask that by the power of your Holy Spirit you would continue to cleanse our hearts: purify us, change us, mould us. Conform us to your reality. Transform our hearts; renew our minds.
Enable us to bless others, regardless of how they treat us. Empower us to be genuine, rejoicing with the joyful, weeping with the mourning. Teach us to serve one another in humility and peace, honouring one another.
Strengthen us in the knowledge that we do not need to run away from evil. We can face it square on, for you have already defeated it, and even though there is still darkness all around us, neither tears, nor sorrow, nor pain shall see the light of day in the world to come. So we rest in your promise that we will not be overcome by evil, but rather, through your unfailing love, we overcome evil with good.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
___
It is indeed a privilege for us to labour in your vineyard, loving Father, and we are thankful for the many fruits you are bearing in our midst. (Mat. 7:17) We think of the Christianity Explored course already running in Richmond, and shortly to begin here in our church. We think of Bible Study groups and youth group activities; the upcoming Women’s Conference, and the Conference on Scripture, Culture, and Homosexual Practise; the Marriage Retreat, the Evening Service Retreat, and the Fusion Coffeehouse later this month.
We pray that you would continue to use each of these events to bring glory to your name, drawing people to yourself. Strengthen and energize leaders, helpers, and participants, guiding them in truth and love. We ask that you would open our hearts to newcomers and visitors, showing genuine care, hospitality, and friendship.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
We are aware that many people have not heard about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. We think of the Muslim world, and the feast of Ramadhan that begins this week. During this time of fasting, prayer, good deeds, and spiritual alertness, we pray Lord Jesus, that you would reveal yourself as the Alpha and the Omega, the creator and redeemer, the living Son of God who sits at the right hand of the Father.
Holy Spirit, move us to reach out to a lost world, motivated by your love within us, and not by fear. We lay claim to your word, which says that you have given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (II. Tim. 2:7).
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
Today we also join our brothers and sisters in Malawi in crying to you for physical deliverance. We pray for rain, as famine and drought has ravaged that nation, leaving people in desperation. Give wisdom to government leaders, non-government organizations, and churches. We pray especially for Archibishop Malango, who is actively mobilizing churches to buy corn to fill the empty stomachs of men, women, and children.
Teach us how to respond to this crisis. Move us away from complacency and comfort, Lord, towards compassion and generosity, each according to his or her means and gifts.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
With that in mind, let us pray.
Living God:
As a community of believers, we confess that we do not bless those who persecute us; we do not always live in harmony; we are proud, we are conceited, and we often repay evil with evil. We neglect your laws, which you have generously written on our hearts, and we ignore your Holy Spirit who guides us in goodness and love. We are eager to serve you, but we are weak, easily distracted, easily mislead, and we’re often double-minded.
We repent of our wrongdoing, and we lay claim to your mercy, and to the forgiveness that you offer, through your Son Jesus Christ. We ask that by the power of your Holy Spirit you would continue to cleanse our hearts: purify us, change us, mould us. Conform us to your reality. Transform our hearts; renew our minds.
Enable us to bless others, regardless of how they treat us. Empower us to be genuine, rejoicing with the joyful, weeping with the mourning. Teach us to serve one another in humility and peace, honouring one another.
Strengthen us in the knowledge that we do not need to run away from evil. We can face it square on, for you have already defeated it, and even though there is still darkness all around us, neither tears, nor sorrow, nor pain shall see the light of day in the world to come. So we rest in your promise that we will not be overcome by evil, but rather, through your unfailing love, we overcome evil with good.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
___
It is indeed a privilege for us to labour in your vineyard, loving Father, and we are thankful for the many fruits you are bearing in our midst. (Mat. 7:17) We think of the Christianity Explored course already running in Richmond, and shortly to begin here in our church. We think of Bible Study groups and youth group activities; the upcoming Women’s Conference, and the Conference on Scripture, Culture, and Homosexual Practise; the Marriage Retreat, the Evening Service Retreat, and the Fusion Coffeehouse later this month.
We pray that you would continue to use each of these events to bring glory to your name, drawing people to yourself. Strengthen and energize leaders, helpers, and participants, guiding them in truth and love. We ask that you would open our hearts to newcomers and visitors, showing genuine care, hospitality, and friendship.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
We are aware that many people have not heard about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. We think of the Muslim world, and the feast of Ramadhan that begins this week. During this time of fasting, prayer, good deeds, and spiritual alertness, we pray Lord Jesus, that you would reveal yourself as the Alpha and the Omega, the creator and redeemer, the living Son of God who sits at the right hand of the Father.
Holy Spirit, move us to reach out to a lost world, motivated by your love within us, and not by fear. We lay claim to your word, which says that you have given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (II. Tim. 2:7).
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
Today we also join our brothers and sisters in Malawi in crying to you for physical deliverance. We pray for rain, as famine and drought has ravaged that nation, leaving people in desperation. Give wisdom to government leaders, non-government organizations, and churches. We pray especially for Archibishop Malango, who is actively mobilizing churches to buy corn to fill the empty stomachs of men, women, and children.
Teach us how to respond to this crisis. Move us away from complacency and comfort, Lord, towards compassion and generosity, each according to his or her means and gifts.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
We also bring to you in silence those whom you have placed on our hearts and minds.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
We close with a prayer from St. Anselm:
We bring you, O Lord, the troubles and perils of people and nations:
The sighing of prisoners and captives,
The sorrows of the bereaved,
The necessities of strangers,
The helplessness of the weak
The despondency of the weary,
The failing powers of the aged.
O Lord, draw near to each,
For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
_____
We close with a prayer from St. Anselm:
We bring you, O Lord, the troubles and perils of people and nations:
The sighing of prisoners and captives,
The sorrows of the bereaved,
The necessities of strangers,
The helplessness of the weak
The despondency of the weary,
The failing powers of the aged.
O Lord, draw near to each,
For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
_____
Evening Service Prayer at St. John's Anglican Church, based on Romans 12:1-2, 14-21.
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