Opening Responses
We gather in the name of God, who calls us to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.
We come, ready to worship, ready to listen, ready to act.
God of the poor and the powerful, the hungry and the hopeful, You welcome us all.
Make us people of compassion, generosity, and courage. Amen.
Prayer of Approach & Confession
Loving God, as we gather in Christian Aid Week, we remember Your heart for the world— for every neighbour, every nation, every child of Your creating.
We come with gratitude for all the ways You bless us: in community, in daily bread, in hope that rises again and again.
But we also come honestly, aware of the times we have turned away from the needs of others, the times we have chosen comfort over compassion, the times we have been silent when we could have spoken for justice.
Forgive us, Lord. Renew us by Your Spirit. Open our eyes to see as You see, our hearts to love as You love, and our hands to serve as You call us to serve.
God of mercy, make us new. Amen.
Prayer of Praise
God of all creation, we praise You for the beauty of the earth— for mountains and rivers, for fields and forests, for the rhythm of seasons and the gift of life.
We praise You for people everywhere— for communities working for change, for neighbours helping neighbours, for all who long for a fairer world.
We praise You for Jesus Christ— who lived among the poor, who lifted up the forgotten, who taught us that love is stronger than fear and hope is stronger than despair.
We praise You, generous God, for You are always at work bringing life, justice, and peace. Amen.
First Bible Reading
Micah 6:6–8 A call to justice, kindness, and humble walking with God—perfect for Christian Aid Week’s theme of practical compassion.
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Second Bible Reading
Luke 10:25–37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan A reminder that our neighbour is anyone in need, and that compassion is active, costly, and transformative.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’
He answered, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”’
‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’
In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”
‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’
The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’
Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Short Reflection
Christian Aid Week reminds us that faith is not only something we speak—it is something we live. Micah tells us that God’s desire is simple and profound: do justice, love kindness, walk humbly. Jesus shows us what this looks like in the Good Samaritan: compassion that crosses boundaries, compassion that costs something, compassion that refuses to walk by.
In a world where many face hunger, climate crisis, conflict, and inequality, Christian Aid invites us to be neighbours in the fullest sense. Not out of guilt, but out of love. Not out of duty, but out of hope. Every prayer, every gift, every act of solidarity becomes part of God’s work of healing the world.
Christian Aid Week is not just about raising money—it is about raising compassion, raising awareness, raising our willingness to be part of God’s kingdom of justice and peace. May we be people who see, who care, and who act.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Generous God, we thank You for the work of Christian Aid— for partners around the world who bring hope in hard places, who stand with communities facing crisis, who help people build safer, fairer futures.
We thank You for the gifts we can offer— our prayers, our time, our resources, our willingness to stand alongside others.
We thank You for the privilege of being part of Your mission of love in the world. Amen.
Prayer of Intercession (Christian Aid Week Focus)
God of justice and compassion, we pray for Your world.
For communities affected by climate change— those facing drought, flood, or failed harvests. Strengthen all who work for climate justice and protect those whose lives are most at risk.
For families living with hunger, for children who go to bed without enough to eat, for parents who long to provide. Bless the work of Christian Aid as they support sustainable farming, fair trade, and long‑term solutions.
For places torn by conflict— for peacebuilders, for refugees, for those who have lost homes, livelihoods, or loved ones. Bring healing, safety, and hope.
For leaders and governments— that they may act with wisdom, courage, and compassion, seeking the good of all people.
For our own community— that we may be generous neighbours, open‑hearted and open‑handed, ready to share, ready to serve, ready to love.
And for ourselves— give us courage to live out our faith, to seek justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with You.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessing
May the God who calls us to justice guide our steps. May the Christ who walks with the poor stir our compassion. May the Spirit who breathes hope fill us with courage and peace. And may we go in love, to love and serve our neighbour.
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 