World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle (Week 15)

At the very heart of the ecumenical movement is the reality of prayer. Jesus prayed that we may all be one, united in God in the mystery of the Trinity. That is the basis and the goal of our search for unity.

The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle enables us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts. Lord, hear our prayer ...

This week we pray for:

Week 15 - East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines

Intercessions

Give thanks for:

The witness of those who advocate an end to violence.
Those who have worked for greater understanding among different religions.
Those who stand with the poor.
Gamelan, gongs, and bamboo buzzers.
Shadow puppets, an ancient art with which Christians tell Bible stories.
Rice from fertile soil and fish from the warm sea.

Pray for:

The rebuilding of East Timor into a stable and independent nation.
Healing for all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones and livelihood because of religious strife and political conflict.
The Christians of Ambon, who after years of peace with their Muslim neighbours have endured a long and deadly conflict.
Refugees and internally displaced people who long to return to their families and homes.
Women who leave their country in order to provide for their families.
Contact between different ethnic and religious groups, to bring deeper understanding and tolerance, rather than hatred and violence.
Governments that will end corruption and strive for true justice and peace for all.
Those trapped in dire poverty, that they may have food, shelter and security.
Those who must rebuild their lives after volcanic eruptions, mudslides and the tsunami.

Prayer

Lord, make us realize that our Christianity is like a rice field: when it is
newly planted the paddies are prominent, but as the plants take root and
grow taller, these divided paddies gradually vanish, and soon there appears
only one vast continuous field. So give us roots that love, and help us grow
in Christian fellowship and service, that your will be done in our lives,
through our Saviour, your Son, Jesus Christ.

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