Prayers for MDG Day

Some prayers for today:

Almighty and eternal God: may your grace enkindle in all hearts a love for the many unfortunate people whom poverty and misery reduce to a condition unworthy of human beings. Arouse in the hearts of those who call you Father a hunger and thirst for social justice and for love in deed and in truth. Grant, O Lord, peace in our days, peace to souls, peace to families, peace to our country, and peace among nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - Pope Pius XII

Lord God Almighty, our help and defender: Deliver those of us who are oppressed, have compassion on the humble, lift up the fallen, reveal yourself to the needy, heal the sinners, call back those who have gone astray, feed the hungry, liberate prisoners, raise up the sick, and encourage the faint-hearted. May all the nations know that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - Saint Clement of Rome

Most loving God, as your desire for mercy for those who are poor is unrelenting, may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all; as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit, may our hearts overflow with compassion for all. Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit, And give us wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity, and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished. Breathe your life giving spirit into your Church to free us from apathy and indifference; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. - adapted from St Paul’s Cathedral, London

O Holy God, you love righteousness and hate iniquity: strengthen we pray, the hands of all who strive for justice throughout the world, and seeing that all human beings are your offspring, move us to share the pain of those who are oppressed, and to promote the dignity and freedom of every person; through Jesus Christ the Liberator, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - A (Episcopal) Priest's Handbook