Praying for Zimbabwe and Botswana

Monday Morning Prayers in the Ecumenical Centre
Praying through the ecumenical prayer cycle for Botswana and Zimbabwe

Welcome
Call to prayer
We gather to remember and accompany the people of Botswana and Zimbabwe,
in the name of the blessed Trinity, one God, now and forever.
Amen

O Lord, open my eyes,
that I may see the need of others,
open my ears that I may hear their cries,
open my heart so that they need not be without succour.
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak
because of the anger of the strong,
nor afraid to defend the poor,
because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
and use me to bring them to these places.
Open my eyes and ears that I may, this coming day,
be able to do some work of peace for you.
( Shona prayer)

Song: Praise the God of all creation (sung in English)

Prayerful meditation

L: They have been saying “Our world is not in danger”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “We need time to discuss it”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “All our efforts are in vain”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “Let’s just enjoy life”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “This is God’s design for the earth”.

Sung Response: This is the only world

L: They have been saying “There’s no way to stop it”.

Sung Response: This is the only world (sung as a canon)


Psalm 104: 24, 31-25 (read antiphonally)

All: O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Women: May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works

Men: who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.

Women: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Men: Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!

All: O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Stand to sing: Thuma Mina 84 (twice)
Rakanaka Vhangeri Rakanaka
Rakanaka Vhangeri Rakanaka

Ndanguri ndaku udze kuti Rakanaka
Ndanguri ndaku udze kuti Rakanaka

Bible reading - Luke 4 16-21
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

A time of silence

Prayers of the People

Song: Mayezinwe (from South Africa)


L: Great God of all
we pray to you for the people of Botswana and Zimbabwe
Assure them of your Spirit’s comfort and support
at all times and in all places.
Hallowed be your name

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for all people everywhere working for justice and peace in the world, send your Spirit to renew and refresh their commitment.
When war and violence threaten lives and destroy communities
May your Spirit of peace teach us:
Blessed are the peacemakers

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for all seeking to bring practical
and humanitarian aid to people in need throughout the world
May your Spirit of love fuel practical solidarity between human beings
Your kingdom come

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for all facing illness in body mind or spirit,
for all who struggle on a daily basis to find enough water or food.
We unite our voice with theirs saying:
Give us this day our daily bread

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

L: We pray for ourselves, our friends, colleagues and families.
In our lives and in our work grant us your Spirit’s steadfast support
Lift us up when we are discouraged
Comfort us when we are downhearted
Celebrate with us when we rejoice.
At all times
Your will be done

Sung Response: Mayezinwe (Your will be done on earth)

The Lord’s Prayer (each in her or his own language)

Blessing
Now go out into the world to sow seeds of peace with justice,
And may:
The God of overflowing creative energy
The Jesus of vast compassion
The Holy Spirit who turns chaos to life enhancing wholesomeness
Be with you as you go.
Amen.

Sing:
Reamo Leboga, reamo leboga, reamo leboga,
Modimo warona.