Thanksgiving and intercession prayer 22 January 2023

From the shadow of death

The Lord God lifted the people

lifted and redeemed us

through Christ the Lord

this, this the good news

the good news

we give thanks and praise to God for

in gratitude, we bow

our hearts filled with wonder and awe

our souls filled with the spirit

our lives filled with the knowledge of the Lord

as the ones who know Christ as Lord

as friend

and long to follow him

every day of our lives

praise and gratitude we offer that we have this faith

and calling in our lives

praise and gratitude we offer that we know a great light has dawned

and the depths of death hold no power over us

through the wonder of God’s love

in the knowledge of this love

we pray for others and the world

those who watch and wait at bedsides of loved ones in the shadow of death

hospice staff who support end of life care

funeral directors, who deal with the dead and bereaved on a daily basis

may the light of God shine in the darkest of places

we pray for families in conflict

for those seeking sanctuary from abuse

for those who spiral into addiction, to escape their pain

may the light of God shine in the darkest of places

we pray for those who work for justice, tirelessly campaigning for the refugee, the homeless, the most vulnerable in society

may the light of God shine in the darkest of places

this week, in the week of prayer for Christian unity

we pray the church may be one

united in it’s purpose to proclaim the good news

to the end of the earth

may the light of God shine in the darkest of places

we pray for the people of New Zealand, as their Prime Minister steps down

may her tank be refilled and may their new Prime Minister lead with grace and compassion

we pray for our own political leaders

that they would set aside their own desires, for the good of society, especially those on the margins

we pray for those who are demonised in the news

and in debates

may the light of God shine in the darkest of places

we pray for ourselves

that where there is darkness, we may bring light

through following Christ our Lord

now and always

Amen