Morning prayers with Wellingtone Bawalya

Muli shani! Greetings!
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I invite you to share in the morning chapel service at the United Church of Zambia University.  The prayer was composed by Wellingtone Bawalya, a Bachelor of Theology student who spent 3 years in New Zealand. The morning singing that rises with the sun always inspires!

Gracious God, our Creator, redeemer, and sustainer of our lives, you have gathered us here from many parts of the country and you have made us one loving community. We have come to offer you our praise and thanksgiving, to confess our need for each other, to affirm our common faith and to seek your guidance as we work towards a community that is accepting, supporting, reconciling and healing.

Forgive us for our ecological sins we have committed.  There is a loud cry from mother earth crying for help because we have plundered nature in the name of development and civilization. Mainly when we destroy what is made by humanity, we call it vandalism and yet when we destroy what you created, God, we call it civilization.*   Due to our selfishness, have mercy upon us.

Give us love that we may protect nature--the world, and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty not pollution and destruction. Teach us to recognise that we are profoundly united with the creation as we journey towards your infinite light.

We pray for the UCZ University community that you may grant us good health and lead us to commune with you so that our faith and trust be deepened.

We thank you for being with us each day.  Encourage us, as we pray for justice and peace. To you, O God, be honour and glory forevermore, Amen.

For the assurance of pardon parents, sisters and brothers, listen to these comforting words:
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7.14)
These are the words we may trust that our sins are forgiven, Amen.

*Inclusive Paraphrase from Ed Begley, Jr. 

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 Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/