Saturday, March 23, 2019

prayer of thankgiving confession and supplication... sunday a week after the terror attack in christchurch



Loving God,

As a nation this week we have come together to grieve

We have experienced the pain and suffering expressed in psalm 88:18

‘you have taken from me friend and neighbour

Darkness is my only friend’

We have been wrestling with shock, our emotions going every which way

We have wanted to show care and compassion but had to keep going,

Simply getting the things that need to be done…done

Mixing tears with our normal tearing around like mad things

In the face of it we turn to you for comfort and help

We life up our voices to you Our rock and our refuge



We thank you for your great love for us

We acknowledge we all are made in your image

Made for relationship with you,

That each human has dignity and value because of that

We acknowledge we are broken and sinful

That we turned away from your light and allowed darkness to flourish 



We thank you that you did not turn away from us

You sent your son into this world as its true light

In Jesus we beheld your glory, full of grace and truth

We have seen the depth of your great mercy for us

In the midst of the worst of our inhumanity

You gave your son for our forgiveness and salvation

In Christ his life death and resurrection, is fresh start and new life



We thank you that you have come to dwell in us by your Holy Spirit

You are our comforter and our guide

You are making us into your new people,

As we walk with the spirit you produce Christ like fruit in us

You enable and empower us to show your love to one another

You are with us to witness to the hope we have in Christ

To see people come to follow you, in all nations everywhere



We acknowledge that we are not finished products

That we are sinful and do wrong things

We have been confronted about evil and hate and unlove in our nation

We know those things dwell within us as well

And we pray that you would forgive us Lord

And renew a right spirit within us



Thank you again for your mercy and love

Thatas we confess our sin you are righteous and just and forgive us

You wipe the slate clean

We pray the love and care and compassion we have seen this week

May not simply be grief induced by may be a step towards genuine peace and care in this country



We pray for the families and friends of those who have died

May they now comfort in the midst of their mourning

We pray for the Muslim community in New Zealand that they will feel safe and welcome

We pray for those still injured that they may know your healing hand

We pray for medical staff for your guiding hand and presence

We pray for our police and emergency workers

That they may experience your presence and know peace and healin

We thank you our leaders, political and cultural and religious

People who in the face of sorrow and terror have given hope,

Who have helps show us how evil can be overcome by good

We pray you would fill us with your spirit afresh this morning

To be able to share your love and our hope

To the glory of God father son and holy spirit Amen   

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