Morning prayers for the beginning of the Football World Cup

It so happens that as the soccer world cup started the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle turned to South America.
While I was attending the WCRC assembly in Grand Rapids my colleague Guillermo Kerber from Uruguay led morning service concetrating on football and God's playfulness. Wish I had been there!

Morning prayers Ecumenical Centre Geneva

Monday, June 21, 2010
(Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay)

Welcome

Song: Coritos #2

Opening prayer
(Bishop Aldo Etchegoyen, Argentina)

1. O God, Lord of the wind and the sea,
of the mountains and the valleys,
of the world and of the church:
In the midst of fear and insecurity
give us trust and hope in you

2. We live in a world where the gales of power
blow strong enough to shake life itself,
where from the arrogant and the interests of the powerful
roll the waves of injustice and violence.

1. We pray for those suffering
because of their poverty, their ignorance, their limitations,
because of their colour or status, social or sexual.
We think of your church sailing on a sea
where the waves of racism, militarism, sexism
and economic marginalization hurt human life.

2. Take care of your church and put in it
a sincere love for those who suffer,
a clear vision of your will,
healing pastoral words for the needy
and a valiant, prophetic proclamation
against those who create violence and pain.

1. O God, Lord of the wind and the sea,
may your strong mercy calm the whole earth
in the name of Jesus Christ

All: Amen

Readings
From the Book of Proverbs, chapter 8, 1- 30 (excerpts) (NJB)
“Is not Wisdom calling? Is not Understanding raising her voice? On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossways, she takes her stand; by the gates, at the entrance to the city, on the access-roads, she cries out, 'I am calling to you, all people, my words are addressed to all humanity. Simpletons, learn how to behave, fools, come to your senses.
Listen, I have something important to tell you, when I speak, my words are right. My mouth proclaims the truth, for evil is abhorrent to my lips… For Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and nothing else is so worthy of desire.
'I, Wisdom, share house with Discretion, I am mistress of the art of thought. I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behaviour and a lying mouth. To me belong good advice and prudence, I am perception: power is mine! By me monarchs rule and princes decree what is right; by me rulers govern, so do nobles, the lawful authorities.
I love those who love me; whoever searches eagerly for me finds me. With me are riches and honour, lasting wealth and saving justice. I walk in the way of uprightness in the path of justice, to endow my friends with my wealth and to fill their treasuries.
'Yahweh created me, first-fruits of his fashioning, before the oldest of his works. From everlasting, I was firmly set, from the beginning, before the earth came into being. The deep was not, when I was born, nor were the springs with their abounding waters. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I came to birth; before he had made the earth, the countryside, and the first elements of the world.
When he fixed the heavens firm, I was there, when he drew a circle on the surface of the deep, when he thickened the clouds above, when the sources of the deep began to swell, when he assigned the sea its boundaries -- and the waters will not encroach on the shore -- when he traced the foundations of the earth, I was beside the master craftsman, delighting him day after day, ever at play in his presence, at play everywhere on his earth, delighting to be with the children of men.

Song: El cielo canta alegría, Alleluya (Argentina, Thuma Mina 54)

From the Gospel according to Matthew 16, 1-4 (NJB)
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to put him to the test. They asked if he would show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “In the evening you say, ‘It will be fine; there's a red sky’, and in the morning, ‘Stormy weather today; the sky is red and overcast’.
You know how to read the face of the sky, but you cannot read the signs of the times!
It is an evil and unfaithful generation asking for a sign, and the only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.'
And he left them and went off.

Meditation – “On football, religion and hope” – Guillermo Kerber (Uruguay)

Prayers of intercession

 This week, according to the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are invited to pray for the people and the churches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Let’s pray for them.
God of Mercy, have mercy with the people in these countries, especially with the poor and most vulnerable: indigenous peoples, women, children, and the elderly, in their uncertainty, fear and distrust as they face their future. Give your Wisdom to their governments democratically elected, so that they may discern what needs to be done in the name of justice, peace and care for creation. Sustain and strengthen through your Spirit, the churches in those countries, so that they remain a prophetic voice unbound by political and economic alliances and with all people. Grant just peace to these countries and their citizens, O Lord.
Ore Poriahu (Paraguay) (Thuma Mina 46)
 Let us pray for ourselves, for our families, organizations and churches
God of Grace, you have called us to labour and play in your vineyard. Without you we can do nothing. Grant us your gracious presence in our forthcoming meetings, works and holidays. Inspire us so that all our decisions at the personal and institutional levels follow your Wisdom.
Ore Poriahu (Paraguay) (Thuma Mina 46)
 Let us pray for our homelands and for all the nations of the world
God of Playfulness, behold and visit, we pray, the nations of the earth. Let the world rejoice with the beauty and passion of the Football World Cup. But especially enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, injustice and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with fairness, and that men and women from different cultures and religions, and with different talents may find with one another the fulfilment of their humanity.
Silence

Song: Santo, santo, santo, santo (El Salvador) (Thuma Mina 117)

The Lord’s Prayer (in your own language) (stand)

Blessing
The Lord bless our eyes that we may see clearly
The Lord bless our mouth that we may speak the truth
The Lord bless our ears that we may hear those who speak to us
The Lord bless our hearts that we may be open to the poor;
The Lord bless our feet that we may walk with humility and courage,
In the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

All: Amen

Final song : Tenemos esperanza (Argentina – Uruguay)