MU WAVE of PRAYER Service
in Newcastle Diocese
The Mothers’ Union Wave of Prayer between 30th Nov and 3rd Dec features five dioceses together with Newcastle Diocese: Zonkwa in Northern Nigeria, Barrackpore in North India, Bo in Sierra Leone, Central Buganda in Uganda and Mpumalanga in South Africa.
As there are many calls on our prayers and worship at this time of year, this simple liturgy, with optional hymns, is shaped so that it may be used at any time during Advent, Christmas or Epiphany, and can be adapted to include prayers for other difficult situations locally or internationally.
(Please have 3 candles ready to light)
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Welcome to our time of worship.
In a time of world-wide uncertainty and turmoil, we come together to unite our prayers with our Mothers’ Union sisters and brothers across the world. We give thanks for all that has been and pray for all that will be.
Lord, lighten our darkness (Advent-tide)
Like a candle flame,
flickering small in our darkness,
uncreated light shines through infant eyes.
All: God is with us, alleluia.
Light one candle – a sign of waiting
‘Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.’ Micah 7.8
Hymn Longing for light (Christ be our Light)
Or Thou whose almighty word
Gospel: John 1.1-3
‘In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning, and through Him all things were made.’
Prayers for Light in life’s dark places
Lord of Light, bring the Wisdom of your Word, the Light of your Love and the Spirit of Truth into our relationships with one another across the boundaries of race, culture and faith.
We pray for MU members in Zonkwa, Northern Nigeria.
We pray for MU members in Barrackpore in North India.
Help your people to reflect your light into the dark corners of the world, unfolding your gospel in word and action. Bring comfort to those in pain, hope to those who live in fear or persecution and a guiding hand to those who are lost. Bless the work of teachers and community workers as they shine a light on future opportunities.
Prayers for those in the dark places of gender abuse…
We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout the world
who live in situations of abuse and violence.
Give them hope in their hopelessness;
help them find strength in their weakness;
grant them freedom from their oppression;
transform their brokenness into wholeness;
and heal their wounds, visible and invisible.
Grant us all the courage and wisdom, grace and humility,
to act at all times with compassion and care.
And grant all who are harmed by abuse or coercion, peace through justice.
This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.
(Lesley Bayley, Mothers’ Union, Ireland)
RISE UP prayer
We pray for those experiencing the darkness of gender abuse
for your compassion as we seek to RESPOND –
for your wisdom as we become better INFORMED –
for your gentleness as we try to SUPPORT –
for your strength as we hope to EMPOWER –
and for the mark of your Holy Spirit
that UNITES us together to work and PRAY unceasingly,
until situations change
and freedom, life and love are restored to all.
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord, lighten our days (Christmas-tide)
Light of the world
you stepped down into darkness,
opened our eyes, let us see
beauty that made our hearts adore you,
All: hope of a life spent with you
Light a 2nd candle – a sign of the Nativity
‘Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.’ Isaiah 60.1
Hymn: Thou didst leave thy throne
Or Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us.
Gospel: John 1.4-5
‘In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not understood it.’
Prayers for the Light of Christ’s presence
Lord of Light, be born into the hearts and minds of all who hold responsibility for the welfare of others and community life.
We pray for Mothers Union members and their work in Bo in Sierra Leone.
We pray for MU members in Central Buganda in Uganda.
Bring the Light of hope and peace to families & children in need, to refugees, asylum seekers, and to those entrapped by conflict or natural disasters……
Strengthen those who seek to bring relief and practical help...
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Lord, lighten our ways (Epiphany-tide)
Brightest and best of the suns of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
All: guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Light the 3rd candle – a sign of transformation
‘Rise up! This matter is in your hands.
We will support you, so take courage, and do it.’ Ezra 10.4
Hymn:
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Brightest and best of the suns of the morning,
Gospel: John 1.14
‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’
Prayers for Transformation
We pray for Mothers’ Union members in Mpumalanga in South Africa and their campaigns against gender-based violence.
Bring hope and help to all who are affected by domestic abuse or gender violence. May the RISE UP Initiative raise awareness and help to transform the lives of those who suffer abuse.
We pray for communities across the world facing the challenges of climate change, and our exploitation of your gifts of creation. Help MU to transform old attitudes and to encourage initiatives to safeguard the environment for families in the future.
Bless the mission and ministry of this church… our clergy and all with responsibility….
Particular local prayers….
Help MU members to be agents of your transforming love.
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer
Mothers’ Union Prayer
Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus name. Amen
Hymn: Hills of the north rejoice
Loving Lord, may your love surround us.
May your grace flow through us and from us.
May our members know encouragement
from you and from one another.
May we know our value in your sight.
May the One who is the same
yesterday, today and forever,
renew us, inspire us and equip us.
In Jesus name, we pray. Amen
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Love of God
and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all now and evermore.
Amen.
Barbara Packer has a Power Point Presentation of our link Diocese, some of which she has visited. Contact her for details.
More information can be found on our website:
munewcastle.org.uk