October is a month with a particular focus on tackling poverty. Monday 17 October is the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and 3-9 October is Challenge Poverty Week
OPENING WORDS
With humble thankful hearts we gather to worship God
May we be united in love and praise
With generous, faithful minds we open our hearts to hear
May we be filled with the knowledge of Christ’s teaching
With the trials and temptations of life in our thoughts
May we lay them down and prepare to freely worship God
Adoration
Eternal and Loving God,
We are in awe as we worship You today.
Your generosity knows no bounds,
and we are humbled by the breadth, length and depth of Your love for us,
which extends to the people of the whole world that You made so creatively.
How wonderful it is that You brought variety, colour, vibrancy and beauty to this earth,
for You have been a generous and caring master
who wanted to provide for Your children.
We are blessed with continents, countries and areas that range from the high mountain to the deep ocean,
the small rural village to the bustling city.
All of this has been made perfectly, a loving gift to be experienced and lived to the full.
Creator God,
You have showered upon us all the resources we need for a fulfilling life,
including families and friends who love us,
work and leisure that inspires us,
and a faith that brings meaning and purpose day by day.
We are truly thankful for all You have done, and continue to do for us, day by day.
Hear our prayers, in Jesus’ name
Amen
Confession
Almighty God,
You know everything about us.
The thoughts we have, the desires we fight against, and the words that are spoken
that cause distress, worry and fear.
Our faults are many, our failings emerge more often than we would like.
Our minds are influenced by those around us.
We even drift away from the path You have set before us.
We believe the publicity that says we should be ashamed of our lack of money, resources and ability, and our minds become burdened with what we have not done or achieved.
We confess the mistakes made, the actions taken, or not taken, and say sorry …
Sorry because we let others gain the upper hand, instead of turning to You.
Sorry that we have not been as faithful as we could have been.
Loving God, forgive us, assure us and empower us as we move forward in faith,
renewed and forgiven,
knowing You are with us, urging, encouraging and driving us on.
Amen
Luke 17:5-10
5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ 6The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
7 ‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? 8Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
Thanksgiving
Living and loving Lord Jesus,
with joy and happiness, we thank You for the blessings of life seen in our community,
in our homes and within the people who mean the most to us.
We are grateful for the moments that encourage and bring us hope and peace in our hearts.
We are thankful for the countless volunteers and staff
who make a difference to people living in poverty
by running foodbanks, clothing banks and other projects,
and we appreciate the time given to challenging why this is necessary
in a country like ours in the 21st century.
We know that this work is needed
because people are being treated unfairly and without respect,
and so it fills our hearts with thankfulness when we see and hear the effect
of a listening ear, an encouraging word, and the practical help
that makes all the difference to someone who has little or nothing.
We give You thanks
for those who give, even when they have little themselves,
for every gift makes someone’s day, meeting needs in communities that are struggling.
We praise and thank You
for the work of the Church that changes lives,
that challenges why people are living in poverty,
and leads to new policies or extra funding that turns lives around.
With grateful hearts we offer our prayers to You.
Amen
Intercession
God of the poor, friend of the weak,
hear us as we remember in this Challenge Poverty Week
all those who bear the scars of poverty, and live with its effects on a daily basis.
We think of the young people in our communities
who may not have decent shoes, or a coat, or even school uniform to wear,
may there be an equality for all.
Lord hear our prayer
We pray for the people who have no idea where today’s food will come from,
how a power card will be paid for,
or whether they have shelter and a bed for tonight.
We ask that no one will go to bed hungry today.
Lord hear our prayer
We lift before You those who are living without the essentials of life,
a bed to sleep in, towels to wash with, and a chair to sit on.
Humbly we pray that there will be a fair way of living for all.
Lord hear our prayer
We give thanks for the groups and organisations
that make a difference to people living in poverty,
especially those who provide practical help, advice and support.
May their work grow and extend, despite the challenges of the cost of living today.
Lord hear our prayer
We pray for the people who are in power at local, national and international levels,
asking that they would act with integrity, generosity and humility,
ensuring that there is fairness and justice for all, regardless of age, creed or colour.
Lord hear our prayer
Lord God, surround with Your love
the countless individuals and families who are treated unfairly because of poverty,
who are not given the chances others are given,
and who are held back or rejected because of their situation.
Lord hear our prayer
Generous God,
we pray that there would be an end to the scandal of poverty in this country,
for You understand the effect this has on people living in our community.
May there be a turning point that sees renewal and investment in our poorest communities, providing a better future for people of all ages.
Lord hear all our prayers in Jesus’ name.
Amen
Bellshill Central Church 