This material for the Wave of Prayer could be used by an individual at home, or by a small group, or the central prayer intentions could be used in Sunday worship. MU members may wish to add a branch prayer or other material as seems appropriate.
Welcome
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths[c for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff ,they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely[e] goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Today almost one hundred and fifty years after its founding, we give thanks for Mothers’ Union members in eighty four countries across the world; living in a wide variety of situations – cultural, political, and economic . We remember our diocesan, national and worldwide trustee boards as they work for the welfare of women, men and children and we pray for family life, for stability, equality and an end to violence and discrimination.
The diocese of Oxford is linked in the Wave of Prayer with dioceses in Africa and New Guinea and we name them now:
Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo - giving thanks for Bishop Achille and for Rosalie Etsa the first woman ordained in the diocese and praying for “Awaken” which uses Bible study to improve literacy among women. We pray for those affected by the floods in Kinshasa, and for areas suffering insecurity and displacement of people.
Ahoada and Warri in Nigeria – providing educational opportunities for children and programmes for visiting sick or elderly members of their communities.
Victoria Nyanza in Tanzania – involved in running kindergartens and nursery schools, in various agricultural and craft projects and offering pastoral support to prisoners.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – training offered by the Mothers’ Union in adult literacy, life skills and homeworking.
Oxford – supporting Ronald Macdonald House at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Baby Basics in Milton Keynes, Children Heard and Seen, Away From It All providing holidays for families, and other local projects. All MU branches their officers and leaders, for Diocesan members, and those who continue faithful in prayer at home.
United in one faith in God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer we pray that Mothers’ Union members everywhere may spread the knowledge of the love of God through their witness and service within their communities.
We reflect on some words of Jesus:
John 10. 14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
We pray:
Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:
teach us to hear your voice
and to follow your command,
that all your people may be gathered into one flock,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Any additional prayers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore.
Amen.