Intercessions and prayers of concern

People and places

(You could begin and end this prayer with a simple Taize chant. Leave a pause between the sentences so that people can add names, places, issues of concern)

Where there are people and places waiting and praying for an end to conflict, bring peace.
We pray for…..

Where there are people and places waiting and striving for an end to fear, bring comfort
We pray for…..

Where there are people and places waiting and struggling for an end to oppression, bring justice
We pray for….

Where there are people and places waiting and working for a new beginning, bring hope
We pray for….

(SCM/Rosie Venner)

I am waiting for

You need: 4 big pieces of paper, coloured pens or pencils
To prepare the prayer: in the centre of each piece of paper write one of these phrases
I long for…
I am inspired by…
I am waiting for…
I will not wait for…

The prayer: Either in silence or with some appropriate music (we used Tracey Chapman’s Talking ‘bout a Revolution and Ben Harper’s Waiting on an Angel), invite people to come and finish the sentences by drawing or writing around the central phrases.

(SCM/Rosie Venner)

Let Justice roll

Let justice roll down like waters
on those who are thirsty
on those who are hungry
on those work to pay off debts which are not their own.
on those enslaved by poverty and need.

Let justice roll down like waters;
on those who need cleansing
on those who need wisdom
on those profit from the poverty of the poor
on those who have the power to end oppression

Let justice roll down like waters;
on those who need refreshing
on those who need to hear your word
on those who work and pray for peace and justice

Let justice roll down like waters;
on those who need healing
on those who need to feel your love wash away their pain
on those who need to hear your voice in their darkness

Let your justice, love and righteous anger
roll down like waters into our lives
that we may act to build your kingdom
in which streams of righteousness will flow.

(SCM/Marie Pattison)