Prayers

Prayer notes for 24 April 2011

There will be an opportunity for you to pray out loud this morning.

Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha olam, sheh ha kol nee yeh bead varo

On what we call Palm Sunday the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen Jesus doing. They cried out "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:36-38, RSV)

We also have seen mighty works that God has done. We are witnesses of what he does in our lives. But the greatest work was raising Jesus to life even though he took upon himself all our sin. Let our cries join those from every generation and every country, to create a great sacrificial gift of praise. Let us mow altogether bless God with a prayer of praise, recognising what that Jesus has done. Jesus you are our King, the King of Kings, worthy of honour. We love you YWHW. Thank you for your word that tells us Jesus came to take his place humbly on a donkey and not in an armoured tank, a jet setting plane or even a prince's horse and now Jesus is your right hand man exalted and seated with you on high. Thank you Jesus for the humility you showed in coming to live among us and for all the sacrifices you made, for enduring the pain of the floggings, the nails and the verbal abuse.

Thank you YWHW for humbling yourself enough so that we can dialogue with you. You are almighty and yet there are things that you actively encourage us to negotiating with you. How amazing you are.

Thank you Holy Spirit for the humility you have taken on in order to live in us with patience while we so often ignore your voice and so often don't know you enough to even recognise you.

We unreservedly invite you again to be active in our lives so that your will which is done in heaven is done on earth, at least in our lives.

And now we come to negotiate with you.

We remind you of our government leaders and pray that you will help them to work with integrity, resisting the temptations that lead to ungodly behaviours. We ask you Lord to guide their thoughts up your highways. Let this nation be known for her honourable and humble leaders. We pray especially that they will continue to support the chaplains in schools. Open their eyes to all the beneficial things of their work. We cry out to you, interceding on behalf of all people so that you will limit the suffering and devastating effects of evil in the world.

For the nations of the world, especially those middle Eastern countries where there are revenge murders and threats, and where those who claim authority and power do so without their people's consent. Prince of peace, intervene to end the power of those militant and violent groups in the Arab world whose hearts are brutal.

Prince of peace, protect the Israelis from Hamas' threat to kidnap them this Passover period. Prince of peace, interrupt the manufacturing of special missiles by Iran. Don't let them be smuggled through tunnels into the Gaza Strip

Psalm 62:6 "You are out salvation; you are our defence."

For the people of New Zealand, as they come to terms with the upheaval caused by the earthquake.We ask you to demonstrate your care to those who are suffering.

Be merciful to those in Japan who are suffeing as well. Reveal yourself to them. Show them the way to best deal with all their problems. We know from the book of Jonah that care not only for the people you have created but also for the other creatures and so we ask you to intervene and limit the devastation of radiation poisoning for the fish of the sea and their watery environment.

We pray for our church leaders, knock on the door of their hearts so that they don't forget or become too busy to make room for you each day and in their meetings.

Thank you Father for the gifts of your body - the church and especially for opening the door for a team of us to go to Israel. We are indeed blessed as FDK has emailed me, because as she says we can Go Any where in the world we like, while she is an Indian. She has had the Zeal to go to the Holy Land since 1980 but the door is still not open for her. Lord, we ask you to bless her and her family so much where she is that she will not sigh for what you haven't appointed for her. And we ask too, Lord, that you open a way for her so that the desires of heart a satisfied. May she never be disappointed in you, but experience the deep love and power you hold in your hands.

Sick: Could some of you pray specifically for those you know who listed on our pew sheet and I will pray for the rest. Be merciful, Lord, to all those who are sick in our congregation, for............ may they experience your help today.

Now I give you an opportunity to pray out loud or silently for anyone or anything that I have failed to pray for or that you feel burdened about.

Thank you Lord for the wonder of your word that comforts, encourages and guides us and the mutual listening and speaking of our relationship. We look forward to seeing the answers You provide. Amen! Come Lord Jesus!