What is the Kingdom of Heaven like?

The World:                The Kingdom of Heaven:

Abuse                         Vulnerable protected
Conflict                       Disagreement settled
Disadvantaged           Every opportunity an expression of beauty
Disease                      Comprehensive health care available
Displaced                   Homeless sheltered, migrants welcomed
Drought                      Thirst quenched
Famine                       Shortage met
Fundamentalism        Faiths respected and tolerated
Greed                         Fair deals
Hatred                        Loving partnerships
Hunger                       Hungry mouths fed
Inequality                   Basic rights accessible to all
Injustice                     Attempts to create justice
Loneliness                 Compassionate thoughts and deeds
Meanness                  Generosity of the “haves” for the “have-nots”
Poverty                       Lack provided for, needs met
Prejudice                    Bias tolerated
Racism                       Difference and diversity celebrated
Selfishness                 Selfless acts
Terrorism                    Opportunities to find a shared space
Unfriendliness            A smile and kindly word
War                            Hostility finding common ground leading to peace

Whatever the situation, the time, the place,
Let us share a little grace
Put others first before ourselves
And share the Kingdom of Heaven here and now on earth.

Louise Bowes

Eternal God

Eternal God
out of your great generosity
you brought the world into being
and gave it life.
Then you gave it yourself,
on the cross of human suffering.
Such priceless, painful, giving!
Did you invite us here to show us that?
Then show it to us once more, O God!
Show us a different kind of world,
a different cost of living,
where the pain will not be eased
by the money we spend on ourselves,
but by the way we spend ourselves for others,
and the way we value life.
Eternal God,
out of your great generosity,
make us generous; bring us into being.
Amen

© The Iona Community, Iona Abbey Worship Book (2001),
Wild Goose Publications, Glasgow, p.156. www.ionabooks.com

Am I being unfair to you?

The first shall be last
And the last shall be first.
Some have too much water while others thirst.
With food in abundance some goes to waste
While others starve in another place.
The hungry shall be fed
And the rich sent empty away.
What do you think God is trying to say?
Maybe He’s saying just learn how to shae.
Sharing the richness,
Sharing the treasure,
Sharing the plenty,
Sharing the pleasure,
Learning from others
To know how it feels
To be hungry and thirsty
To have nothing at times,
That we may learn to be generous and kind.

Margie Savage

‘IT’S NOT FAIR’ cries the child

‘IT’S NOT FAIR’ cries the child
Who can’t have his way.
‘It’s not fair’ cries the world –
Its cry every day.

‘It’s not fair’ we all say
When things don’t go right.
It’s not fair for oppressed
Who then stand up and fight.

‘It’s not fair if we miss out,
On luxury treats.’
‘It’s not fair’ cry the hungry,
With nothing to eat.

‘It’s not fair there’s no pay rise;
I’m just missing out.’
‘It’s not fair’ plead the unemployed.
‘We’re going without.’

‘It’s not fair. Our home’s small,
And we aimed to go higher.’
‘It’s not fair’ plead the homeless,
‘Just a roof to keep us drier.’

‘It’s not fair’ calls the criminal,
‘I have been caught.’
It’s not fair for the victims
When havoc’s been wrought.

It wasn’t fair for Jesus to die on the cross.
It wasn’t fair for God to suffer such loss.
But through His redemption
He saved us from death.
And He hears our ‘Not fair’s’
with His last dying breath.
He’s there for the downtrodden,
hungry, oppressed.
His justice and mercy
Will see them all blessed.

Helen Mason

Lord, there is nothing in our world which is hidden from your eyes.

Lord, there is nothing in our world which is hidden from your eyes.
You see those whose benefits have shrunk to nothing,
and those whose disability allowances fall short of their daily needs.
You see those who apply for hundreds of jobs with never an interview or even a reply.
You see the high fliers with their huge bonuses measured in millions,
and the low paid outsiders facing poverty.
You see those choosing beautiful second homes, and those who sleep on cardboard in shop doorways.
You see the families who have been evicted and live out their days in temporary accommodation.
You see the children going to school without breakfast,
and the mothers who deny themselves so that their children can have meals.
You see the parents creeping in shame to the food-bank, when their income falls short yet again.
Help us to see too.
Lord Jesus, give us your compassion, your generosity of mind, and your free, giving spirit.
Help us to see through your eyes without prejudice or selfishness.

Amen

Anthea Allan

Blest be God who forever lives

Blest be God who forever lives
whose reign lasts through eternity;
God, the LORD, merciful and just,
loves and heals those who repent.

The oppressed God lifts, salves their hurts;
pays them heed, strengthening bodies and hearts;
calling humankind out of fear:
God is LORD forever more.

O eternal God, be with us;
lift the poor from their misery;
give back dignity to all who trust
in the words and deeds of Christ.

Luke 1: 51-53
Salvador T. Martinez. Philippines
With kind permission of CCA
from their publication ‘Sound the Bamboo’

Peace Blessing

Peace to the world
Peace to the city
Peace to the village
Peace to the desert
Peace to Mother Earth
Peace to the cosmos
Peace to you
Peace to me
Peace to my neighbour
Peace to whom it may concern
Peace. Peace. Peace!

Elizabeth S. Tapia    Philippines

God of Peace and Justice

We often pray that you will bring peace and justice to the world, conveniently forgetting that the world you created was one of peace and justice and that it is we human beings who used the free will you gave us to cause all the conflict and injustice that now exists.

Forgive us for our greed that has caused others to lack food, water, fuel and shelter.

Forgive us for our love of power that has caused others to be exploited, trafficked, oppressed and victimised.

Forgive is for our thoughtlessness that has cause others to be forgotten, unloved, uncared for and unmourned.

Remind us once again of the example of your son, Jesus Christ, who always served, always cared and always gave – even his own life – for others, with no thought for himself.

May we too become servers, carers and givers to all, without judgment or discrimination, so that your peace and your justice will return and your world will become once again the one you created.

Elizabeth Burroughs

(Image copyright Storm Crypt at www.flickr.com)

Lord make us realise that our Christianity is like a rice field:

Lord make us realise that our Christianity is like a rice field: when it is newly planted the paddies are prominent, but as the plants take roots and grow taller, these divided paddies gradually vanish, and soon there appears only one vast continuous field. So, give us roots that love, and help us grow in Christian fellowship and service, that your will be done in our lives, through our Saviour, your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

© John Carden, 1998, ‘A Procession of Prayers’, Morehouse UK, used by permission of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done…”

This Land of Beauty has been given
by God our Father, full of mercy.
It’s loveliness has been intended
for everyone and all people,
and each one claims the rightful portion,
a piece of land one proudly owns.
This heritage so full of promise,
this land was purposed for us all.

The selfish people and not mindful,
the few, will claim the land to own.
Deprive the many poor and needy
who live in want and always suffer.
And when this happens there is conflict,
for hate and bitterness prevail.
Relationships will be found wanting
and happiness will pass them by.

The farmer longs for wholesome living
with food to eat and enough clothing,
a better house, to live in comfort
with things to use inside the dwelling,
his child to have a bright tomorrow,
when he can provide education.
Parental happiness his feeling
and kindly neighbour’s love around.

Poor farmers have a right to this land.
Possession accents their well-being.
For here are hopes for brighter futures,
a better life, reward for striving.
And to the wealthy, we implore you
vast portions of your land to share.
The poor have more need for it, truly;
the right to land is for us all.

Proverbs 14:21; Zechariah 7: 8-10
Elena G. Maquiso. Philippines
With kind permission of CCA from their publication
Sound the Bamboo

May Children No Longer Suffer

We pray for parents and children. We remember those who experience hunger and disease, cruelty and abuse, poverty and despair. We pray for those who, despite all their efforts and work, must watch their children suffer. We pray that all people will have the opportunities they need to learn the skills which will enable them to change the painful circumstances of their lives. In Jesus’ name we pray.

  Women of Burma WWDP 1989 

Prayer for the Philippines

God, our shelter and strength
and ever-present help in times of trouble,
we pray for the people of the Philippines,
living in a land of such natural abundance and diversity
yet so vulnerable to the devastating effects of volcano, earthquake and storm.

Lord, we have seen pictures of the destruction brought by typhoon Haiyan
and heard stories told by the survivors that move us to tears.
We find it hard to comprehend that nature has such dreadful power,
breaking trees like matchsticks,
sweeping away homes and shattering lives
and bringing such desolation to cities and villages alike.

And so, Father,
we weep with those who weep,
praying for those who survived and those who did not;
for those who lost everything
and those who saw their homes and livelihoods destroyed.

We pray for relief workers, aid organisations and government agencies
as they attempt to meet people’s present needs
and for the longer term restoration of buildings and communities
that will take place in the coming weeks, months and years.

And, Creator God, we recognise our own role in such ‘natural’ disasters;
the impact of our wasteful lifestyles on this fragile planet
and our contribution to the warming of the world’s oceans.
We pray that the nations of the world
would take heed of the warning signs of climate change
and make greater efforts to decisive action
and sustainable ways of living.

Lord, bless the Philippines;
save her people;
in the name of Jesus,
whom even wind and waves obey.