Prayers for the current financial situation

A WORD FROM THE DEAN

Beloved in Christ,

In the midst of the current financial crisis, our hearts grow heavy with worry about the present and future. Money for every day expenses, and savings for college, a down payment on a home, or a well-planned for retirement has been greatly depleted, if not wiped out completely before our very eyes. Jobs have been wiped out, and financial support to feed, shelter, and provide medical care for the most vulnerable of our sisters and brothers is disappearing. Our anxiety is real. And so is our faith.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1-2) God is our hope. God’s love is everlasting, and His mercy endures forever.

From the Church of England web site (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/prayers) come the following prayers. I commend them to you and to those you know and love, especially those who are most afflicted by the current realities.

God is with us, a very present help in trouble.

Faithfully yours in Christ Jesus,
Terry+

Prayer for the current financial situation

Lord God, we live in disturbing days:
across the world,
prices rise,
debts increase,
banks collapse,
jobs are taken away,
and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands,
and a light in the darkness;
help us receive your gift of peace,
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Verses from Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark out my journeys and my resting place
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Where can I go then from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me,
your right hand hold me fast.

Prayers for those living with debt

Father, we pray for the many who are trapped by growing burdens of debt,
who see no way out, and who despair for their future:
give them courage to tackle the problems they face,
clarity in taking decisions which will turn their situation around,
and faith that, as they cry to you in their trouble,
you will deliver them from their distress;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of power,
you are strong to save
and you never fail those who trust in you.
Keep under your protection all who suffer as a result of debt:
help them through their time of darkness,
give wisdom to all who seek to help,
and bring them to know true freedom
in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.