Prayer: Acts 16

Here’s a prayer inspired by the events in Acts 16:9-15, one of the suggested scripture readings for Easter 6, Year C. It was posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer: For Eyes to See and Ears to Hear

(inspired by Acts 16:9-15)

God of dreams and Lord of visions, 
We pray for eyes to see and ears to hear 
For hearts and minds that will respond 
To all that you reveal to us:

'Come,' said the man who spoke through the night, 
'Come to Macedonia and help us.'

And his plea echoes others offered down through the centuries 

'Come,' they chorus, 
'Help,' they implore

In places of famine and desert they cry: 
'Bring to our nations the waters of life'

In places of pain and brokenness they cry: 
'Bring to our nations leaves for healing, from the tree of life'

In places of conflict and betrayal they cry: 
'Bring to this world the peace that was given by Jesus himself'

And of course, today, 
we’ll endeavour to bring justice and peace, 
freedom and healing and love. 

But in our ambition to build heaven on earth, 
Remind us, good God of vision and dreams, 
With eyes to see and ears to hear, 
And hearts and minds to understand, 
That those we seek to help today, 
May be the very ones anointed 
To reveal the paths of salvation 
That we are yet to walk. Amen.

~ originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship