A prayer for PIMs from a PIM – Rev. Lembe Sivile

Shepherding God, you have always demonstrated your love and care for all the created order from the beginning of time. We pause, in your presence to acknowledge you as the most supreme being and master of our lives. We celebrate you for being so faithful to us even when many times we are not as faithful. Your accompanying presence in our thin and thick experiences is always a soothing thrust, thank you for being so trustworthy that when all things seem to be falling part, you remain steadfast to your promises.

Help us especially during these unusual, troubled, painful, uncertain and fearful times, to remain hopeful in you, the God of possibilities. We pray for friends and families who are passing through great test of their faith either by the loss they have experienced or the void brought by this pandemic and other disasters. For those who may be at the breaking point; feeling a sense of reaching the end of their journey, we pray that your assuring voice will be audible and your hand warm enough to wrap them.

Gracious Lord! When our humanness begins to take charge of our feelings, thoughts and emotions, help us to find our way into your presence. In our lonely moments, help us to remember your promise of not leaving nor forsaking us. In our despondency help us to make you our refuge and strength. When we feel lost and over taken by confusion, may we give you chance to lead and guide, may you be the light that shine bright in our darkest moments.

We pray for all members of the community of faith and especially the Council for World Mission family, that you may increase our zeal, passion, devotion, trust and tenacity to remain true to our vocations and weather the storms of the time with the confidence that you are right in our spaces with us. We pray for those who are finding it unbearable to serve in their contexts, that you will increase their fortitude and provide what they require to be effective in their mission engagements.

We beseech you to heal our world from all the pain, frustrations, injustice, selfishness, divisions, hurt, insensitivity, irresponsibility, and bring us to the full knowledge of your light. May the power which raised Jesus from the dead help us rise from all forces and powers that continue to put us under.

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayers and grant us your peace, for we ask these and other mercies in and through the name of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Rev. Lembe Sivile is a mission partner from the United Church of Zambia serving with the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands