Month: December 2023

As we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, this weekend, I invite you to pray the following prayer for peace in the Holy Land.

O God of life and love and peace,

We witness the violence and injustice in your Holy Land

And our hearts break.

Our hearts break for the people of Israel –

For the victims of violent attacks by Hamas

For those who live with fear and insecurity

For those who suffer from the inter-generational

trauma of violence.

Our hearts break for Palestinians –

For the victims of violent attacks by the Israeli military

For those in the West Bank under attacks from Jewish settlers

For those being denied water, electricity and medical care

For those who are refugees, long displace from their homes.

We especially pray –

That weapons of war be laid down, that walls of separation be dismantled

That prisoners of war be released, that demonizing of “the other” cease

That political leaders seek the good of all people in

Palestine and Israel.

O God, whose heart breaks for the world,

May your justice dwell in the land

May your righteousness abide in fruitful fields

May the effect of righteousness be quietness and trust forever

May the effect of justice be peace – enduring peace.

Amen

(Mennonite Central Committee)

O God we give you praise for sending Jesus to live and walk among us in human form, for the gift of salvation, and for now your presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. God, continue to give us strength to live with hope, to strive for peace, and to allow your joy and love to fill us and flow through us to others we come in contact with. Help us to be candles of light in a dark world.

God we also pray that you would bring healing to all who are wounded by loss, fear, and grief. Grant physical healing to many in our community here at WMC and may your grace renew hearts and minds. We give you thanks.

Holy God, as we together light the candle of JOY, we choose to celebrate.

Good news! The Holy One, God Almighty, claims us as His very own!
Rejoice in the Lord!
Good news! The times of trouble are nearly over!
Rejoice in the Lord, always!
Good news!

God is in our midst, ready to renew us with holy love!
Rejoice in the Lord, always! Again we say rejoice!
Good news! The peace of the Lord will dwell in our hearts!
We lift up our hearts in thanksgiving. Thanks be to God!

Move us, Joyful God, take our hands and lead us in your dance of creation.
When we are uncertain, guard our hearts with your peace.
When our steps falter, surround us with the strength of your Spirit.
Guide us, Awesome and Powerful God,

until we are move and sing with the joy of your salvation.
In the name of Emmanuel, God with us, we pray. (adapted from wordpress)

(take a moment in silence to give praise for God’s work and presence in your life)

Awesome God, we give praise for your faithful work and presence in our lives, for the gift of life for each day, for the joy of community, for family and friends, and for the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We rejoice for the evidence of healing and restoration in lives, both physically and in their spirit. God, continue to work out your will in and through us.

O God we also lift up to you those in our community and families who are grieving, who are struggling in loneliness and fear, and those who desire renewal and healing. Jesus, touch their bodies; Holy Spirit move with power and comfort; O God, we give you praise. During this season of advent, we also pray for the Peace of Christ to descend on us as individuals, on our families, community and on our world where war rages. Lord Jesus have mercy.

An Advent Prayer

For the darkness of waiting

of not knowing what is to come,

of staying ready and quiet and attentive,

we praise you, O God: For the darkness and the light are both alike to you.

For the darkness of choosing

when you give us the moment

to speak, and act, and change,

and we cannot know what we have set in motion,

but we still have to take the risk,

we praise you, O God: For the darkness and the light are both alike to you.

For the darkness of hoping

in a world that longs for you,

for the wrestling and labouring of all creation

for wholeness and justice and freedom,

we praise you, O God: For the darkness and the light are both alike to you. (adapted)

Holy God, we come to you this morning with deep longing in our hearts for your mighty work and power to flow in and through us. Although our world writhes in pain and groaning, we praise you for your presence as the Prince of peace, and pray that your will be done in this world and in and through our lives. Grant us your strength and the courage to live as your servants, as agents of hope, peace, joy, and love. We desire to live in faithfulness and truth.

Oh God, we also pray for all in our church and local community who are in need of your healing and desire renewal. We praise you for answered prayer, for the evidence of your grace, and pray for your will to be done in each of our lives.

God, comfort those who grieve in this season; grant healing to hearts and minds. Enable all to be aware of your presence, knowing that you are present through the Holy Spirit. We also pray for a miracle of your peace in the Holy Land; transform hearts and minds so that a ceasefire can be agreed upon and lives can be saved. Oh God, have mercy.

We give thanks and praise in the name of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

O holy God, today we have come to worship, to celebrate in hope, and yet to grieve in this time of releasing and saying good bye. Thank you for Pastor Kara and her years of loving service here with this body of believers at Wellesley Mennonite Church. Thank you Holy Spirit for leading Kara here, and for gifting her with love, compassion, wisdom and courage. Thank you for ministering through her, and to her over these many years. God, we give you praise. And now as we release her into a new season of your leading, may you grant deep peace and the comfort of your presence. Pour out your rich blessings on both Kara and Alvin; God, hold them close to your heart.

This morning we also choose to live with Hope in a world that is writhing in pain. God, where there is war we pray that you would change the hearts and minds of world leaders, and in doing so that peace would reign. Give us hearts of compassion to feed those who are hungry, to provide a cup of cold water to the thirsty, and wisdom to be people of justice as you enable us. May we see with your eyes and love with your love God.

O God we pray for those in this congregation and community who are grieving, those facing major decisions, and all who are in pain. Grant comfort, your holy presence, and the gift of your healing touch for all who are facing health issues.

We pray all this in the name of Jesus

Lord God, we also bring the following individual needs to you asking for your loving intervention.