Durham Prayer Breakfasts

Prayer for the Church in Durham

2016 Pickering Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast

by

Rev. Shalini Rajack-Sankarlal

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church,

Great are you, O Lord, and worthy are you to receive praise from all people everywhere.

We the churches of Durham, followers of Jesus Christ, humble ourselves under your mighty and loving hand. Forgive us for our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We are thankful for the gift of your Son and your love for us We declare that you are our God, and we are your people. When Christ entered our world, he took on a physical body. Through His human body, Jesus demonstrated the love of God clearly, tangibly, and boldly in the way he lived his life and through His sacrificial death on the cross. After His bodily ascension, Christ continued his work in the world  by sending the holy Spirit through the gathering of the people he has redeemed, whom he then send out for all others..

In the same way he calls us - the – Church, the gathering of his followers, to demonstrate the love of God clearly, tangibly, and boldly. In this way we function as “the Body of Christ.”

And so we your church, the body of Christ, pray that we draw ever nearer to you with a true heart and full assurance of faith. Open us up to your guidance so that your word may dwell in us richly. Fill us with the knowledge of your will, give us wisdom and spiritual understanding, that we may live and conduct ourselves as a church in a manner worthy of your, fully pleasing you, and being fruitful in every good work.

Scripture tells us. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body, So it is with Christ” (verse 12).

As different parts of the body of Christ each church and its members physically and in spirit possess a diversity of gifts suited to particular functions and yet we are all members of the one Body of Christ. We share a common bond with all other Christians, regardless of background, race, or ministry.

And so redeeming God, although we come from different locations and different denominations we pray together as one body today that we uphold this calling to function as members of the Body of the one Christ joined together in His salvation. May we seek then, to work together in the sharing of the gospel and betterment for the community and for the.

Help us to remember that as the body of Christ, we are the physical representation of Christ in this world and that we are called to demonstrate love above all else. As Christ served those who were despised, unloved and on the margins we are called to do the same. Christ Jesus went into areas that others would not dare to go into, he spoke with people deemed sinners by society, he ate with those that others would shun. May we in our quest to serve the community of Durham be willing to do the same.

Show us how to continue to be the organism through which Christ manifests His life to the world today. Help us to see past pessimism and frustration, to see past bigotry and hate. Help us to focus instead, as our Lord Jesus Christ did, on grace above law. Help us to find ways to nurture peace

May the churches of Durham be ones that point its people to you, God through your Son, Jesus Christ. May our churches be places of community that help its people develop and nurture a relationship with you.

May our churches bring healing and a restoration to life for all who find themselves weeping at night; and remind them that joy comes with the morning.

We pray Lord that our Ministers our Pastors, elders, deacons and all other church leaders be open to the will of the Holy Spirit and not that of their own mindset. May we lead with honesty and integrity and may we always seek to do what you desire of us. Almighty and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and perfect gift:

And, by being renewed in the spirit may we put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, bearing with and forgiving one another. That we dwell together in the unity of the faith, That we recognize those who labor among and with us, esteeming them highly in love for their work's sake.

Send down upon the leaders and  upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your grace; and , that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing.  We pray we all speak your Good News with no divisions among us, that we stand fast in your one spirit, striving together for the faith. That we are not carried about with various and strange doctrines, and that we're not murmurers, complainers, walking after our own desires, but are rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share.

We pray that the whole body be knit and joined together, and that every part does its share causing growth to the body looking out for the interests of others. Let us all fervently love one another with a pure heart, so that we do not lose the things we have worked for. Let us become serious and watchful in our prayers. We pray that we run with endurance the race that is set before us, setting our minds on things above and not on things on the earth. That we press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God. Putting on the whole armor of God that we may stand against the devil. That we will speak forth Your Word with great boldness and that You will stretch forth Your hand to heal, that signs and wonders may be done in the name of Your Son Jesus.

Fill our churches with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it;  inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.

 

 

PRAYER for Police, Firemen and Armed Forces

at 2016 Pickering Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast

by Rev. Colin Gittens

​

Role of Police: Police officers play a central role in the law enforcement system. They monitor criminal activity, take part in community patrols, respond to emergency calls, issue tickets, make arrests, investigate crimes and testify in court as needed.

 

Father we pray that you would

• …equip and enable them to be effective in creating the safest community for people to live, work and play (part of Durham Police’s vision statement)

• …give them wisdom and knowledge as they solve present problems and proactively address future challenges (part of their mission statement)

• …keep them and their families safe as they risk their lives to protect our communities

• …help the members of our community to foster good and respectful relationship between the police and themselves

 

Role of Firemen: Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies.

 

Lord we pray that you would

• … protect them from injury/harm as they perform the dangerous job of fire fighting

• …give them the physical, mental health and strength that’s needed to do this job effectively

• …give them good success as they extinguish fires and so help to preserve lives

 

 

Role of Armed Forces Officers: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are proud to serve Canada by defending its values, interests and sovereignty at home and abroad. They support freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world.

 

God we uphold these servants and ask that you

• …help them be effective as they protect Canada as they  patrol our coasts, monitor our skies, and conduct  search and rescue missions

• …keep your hand of protection on our officers that are currently deployed overseas on operational peace-keeping and security missions

• …grant wisdom and guidance to the decision makers as they draw up their strategic plans towards keeping our country safe from terrorist attacks.

 

Father these are your servants that you have called and equip to serve in these capacities. Thanks for the safety and quality of life they bring to us as a result of their diligence and professionalism demonstrated in their assignments. Thanks for keeping them aware of the fact that as we uphold them in prayer your ministering angels are dispatched to protect and keep them. These favors we ask of you today, in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

 

Prayer for the education and medical services at the Pickering Prayer Breakfast 2014 by Pastor Jason Luscombe

 

“We thank you that we can freely pray for our leaders today.  We honor them for their service and the responsibility that they hold.  

Our Father, we pray that you would bless our schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom. Grant that those who teach and those who learn both may find you to be the source of all truth;

Make our schools safe places again and protect our schools from violence and death.  May our students be brought to understanding both on an intellectual and moral level.  Help them develop character and conscience towards themselves and their neighbor.

 

O Lord, I pray for all those who are in authority in our educational system. I pray that the decisions they make would be by Your guidance. Infuse wisdom and understanding in our instructors that they may teach our children effectively. Help our principals, deans, and all school administrators make decisions about school policy and discipline that are just and good. Guide our legislators and justices who make laws and rulings that directly affect curriculums and programs.

 

Father, we ask you to guide and bless our schools.

God, we thank you for the wisdom, knowledge and commitment you have given medical professionals.  We thank you too for the public servants who intend, through public policy to help those in need. We pray that you would give them all courage and wisdom to make good and right decisions.  We pray that they would maintain a sense of idealism instead of falling prey to materialism.  We pray that decisions would be based on the real needs of the people involved and not political motivations or personal gain.   Remind us all that each person we care for is made in your image.  Jesus taught us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  May our healthcare be reflective of that directive.  May it never be based on one’s wallet, but rather their worth in God’s eyes. 

 

Father, lastly, give us perspective towards our healthcare.  We thank you for one of the best healthcare systems in the world.  May we never take it for granted.  May it continue to be a priority for our community and an extension of your mercy.

 

It is through the name of Jesus we pray, Amen