Prayer For Mission Sunday
Justice-bringing God,
Isaiah told us that far-flung ocean islands
wait expectantly for the teaching of your servant.
We wait expectantly too.
Teach us, Spirit-bathed Son of God:
teach us to hear you
though your voice is so easily drowned out
by the roar of nations at war,
by the babel of twenty-four hour news,
by the confusion in our own minds.
Teach us by your attention
to those who are bruised and hurt;
to those who are small and insignificant.
Teach us by your perseverance and steadfast commitment
to the truth of God,
no matter what the cost.
Teach us, Word of God
who has called us into God's mission.
Teach us what we need to learn
in the cries of the poor in our city;
in the longings and hopes of your children
in distant nations;
in the words of those who speak truth in dangerous places.
We thank you for those who serve you
with deeds and words of justice and hope.
This morning, we thank you especially for the work
that Mary has done in your name among the people of Japan and Korea.
As we share a meal together
and as we hear more about her work,
open our ears to hear what you hear,
open our eyes to see what you see,
open our hearts to break at the the things that are breaking your heart.
Then, show us what work you have given us to do,
in this time,
in this place,
in the company of these people
who are called by your name.
And showing it to us,
bathe us also with your Spirit,
that we may love in the way that you love us,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
when your only begotten Son Jesus Christ
rose from the dead,
he commissioned his followers
to go and make disciples of all nations
and you remind us that through our Baptism
we are made sharers in the mission of the Church.
Empower us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit
to be courageous and zealous
in bearing witness to the Gospel,
so that the mission entrusted to the Church,
which is still very far from completion,
may find new and efficacious expressions
that bring life and light to the world.
Help us make it possible for all peoples
to experience the saving love
and mercy of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours for ever. Amen.
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.