Let Us Pray

Supplications

Heavenly Father – the creator and preserver of all …

1. God of mercy and healing, awaken us to the suffering of the people of the Horn of Africa, of Somalia, of Ethiopia and Sudan. Open our hearts and the ears of our government to their cry for help. Strengthen our resolve to share our resources with them to meet their desperate needs. For Jesus' sake. Amen

2. Let us pray for Archbishop Samy and Bishops Anthony, Jeremiah and Martin ; we give thanks for the new episcopal ministries in the dioceses ……..for the gradual composing of the new Diocesan Synods and Constitutions………. and for wisdom in guiding the process towards the appointing or electing of bishops to lead the four dioceses of the Province by 2025. We bring before you, Heavenly Father, Archbishop Samy, in his strategic planning, forming new teams to give counsel and direction to the various sector ministries and churches in the different areas of the Province ………… in much travelling and representing the Province in church, mission and humanitarian forums…….. We pray for Bishops Anthony, Jeremiah and Martin in their roles of seeing established new ministries and structures in the various dioceses for which they give leadership.

3. We pray for the consecration of the new Cathedral in Gambella - for the encouragement of Bishop Jeremiah and the clergy, lay ministers, Mothers Union leaders and members throughout the Diocese. We pray that this Cathedral will not only be a place for worship but a place for equipping new leaders and a place for bringing unity among many tribes in the Gambella region.

4. We pray for the provision of leadership for the emerging Anglican churches in Assosa. We pray for Bishop Martin at Addis Ababa, for the current clergy in the Diocese and for the congregation and leadership team at St Mathew’s. For the development of clergy and lay readers in the Horn of Africa… plus the delicate situations in the various countries of the Horn of Africa.

5. We pray for the emerging mission and church development within the new areas of the Diocese of North Africa …. giving thanks for the appointment of Revd Canon Medhat to the congregation of Holy Trinity, Algiers. We pray concerning the general climate of hostility to Christians and Christian witness within the political and security apparatus of both Algeria and Libya, especially remembering those Christians currently suffering persecution in Tripoli, Libya.

6. We pray for Sudanese refugees and others fleeing from their countries due to conflicts and war. We pray for the work of Refuge Egypt - providing Sudanese refugee children safety and education in Cairo. For the ministry to desperate refugees and migrants throughout the Province

7. We pray for the blossoming of old and new ministries through the many institutions in Egypt as new hospital wards, education and cultural centres come on stream……. for the various ‘sector’ directors and staff.

8. We give thanks for the leadership and ministry of Archbishop Mouneer and the visionary work of the Centre of Muslim-Christian Understanding and Truth.

9. We pray for the ministry of the Alexandria School of Theology through its many campuses…with thanks for the gradual gaining of PhD’s by various faculty and progress towards good accreditation of AST Courses.

10. We pray for the clergy and people of the many churches and congregations throughout Egypt, and for Archdeacon Emad in his leadership and ministry.

11. Above all, we pray that the new Province of Alexandria may flourish, grow and faithfully fulfill God’s purpose…..…We pray that Archbishop Samy may, with God’s grace, preserve the unity of the church and its service, and protect faith, identity, and teaching…… may the Lord give him the wisdom to encourage the people of the church to continue to build bridges with society and work to achieve national unity and sectarian harmony.

Closing Prayer

GRANT us, Lord God, a vision of our land as your love would make it:

- a land where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;

- a land where the benefits of civilised life are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;

- a land where different races and cultures live in tolerance and with mutual respect;

- a land where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.

And give us the inspiration and courage to build it. Amen.

A Prayer for the People of Ukraine

God of Peace and Justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.

We pray for peace and laying down of weapons.

We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.

We pray with those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.

Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at-risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen

Archbishop Justin Welby ; Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Magnificant

My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden: behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name, and his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel.

Praise the Lord