Loving God,

You have promised that where two or three are gathered in your name, you are there amongst them. As we come together this morning, we are aware of your people gathering to worship and praise your name in many different ways and unaccustomed places. We thank you that, best of all, you are with us through these times of challenge and change.

On this spring morning, we pray for our Mother Earth who sustains us, gives us life and beauty, and who cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted upon her.  We think with gratitude of environmentalists, recyclers, and advocates for climate change, and give thanks for their commitment; may we too join in their efforts to preserve the Earth for future generations.

As we prepare for coming elections we ask for wisdom and guidance as we consider the important issues before us. We pray that those who are offering themselves for our government may seek common ground in dealing with the virus that is affecting us all in so many different ways. We pray for health workers, exposed to danger at the highest level, working day and night in quarantine facilities, struggling to limit the spread of contagion; and for those groups in our communities who have limited access to medical care.

We think of those for whom the virus has meant the end of their employment and the loss of a sense of purpose in life; of businesses that once seemed secure, but are suddenly unable to find customers for their services. We pray for those who are suffering depression and a feeling of hopelessness – for those who struggle to provide enough food for their families and worry about how they will pay the rent. In all this turmoil we pray for new ways of thinking about what is important in life. May we do all we can to promote your economics of love - love which outweighs all the theories and politics of human affairs.

We pray for the work of all international organizations who seek to bring peace and relief amidst violence and turmoil. As the man, sentenced for the mass killing of worshippers in Christchurch mosques, enters on his life sentence of an exclusion from society, we reflect that no penalty can compensate for such a massacre. Yet we find hope in the way in which people of faith have demonstrated the power of love and forgiveness to conquer even this terrible situation. You are the God of all people, even this mass killer, and we trust that, in your grace and mercy, people will find peace and reconciliation. Help us play our part in working towards a society in which we all see ourselves as your people, joined to others of different faiths in love and acceptance.

For those closest to us and those in our congregation who are in need of our prayers, for Fay, Robert, Fiona and Isla, for young people feeling excluded from the education that is their birthright and for those facing difficulty in attaining the qualifications they need this year; for others whom we name before you – we ask your blessing upon them all – may they know your loving presence with them at all times.

Loving God, may we recognise the wonder and mystery of your presence in our everyday routines of life, and trace your image in all those we meet. Help us to live out your love in our daily lives and actions and, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

AMEN