Communion liturgical resources from Southern Africa

Written by House of Ministerial Formation in Kuruman, South Africa
August 25, 2014

Let us pray:
Great spirit of creation that blows where she wills
In the beginning you created life out of chaos
You turned hopelessness into hope,
You created things that are, and made them good.
 
Spirit of life disturb our complacent souls,
Enflame our bones and our will
So that we may run like Antelopes of Africa
Declaring your transforming word.

(Written by Prince Dibeela, former General Secretary of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa; in Seeing Christ in Others, ed. Geofrey Duncan)
 
Prayers of Intercession
 
Leader: From where we are to the streets and valleys of the homeless
 
All: Jesus, lead us to our true neighbours
A candle is lit for Zimbabwe, Silence and then Voluntary prayers follow.
 
Leader: From the security of what we know to the mystery of discipleship.
 
All: Jesus, lead us on to cross into new frontiers of vulnerability
A candle is lit for South Africa, Silence and then Voluntary prayers follow.
 
Leader: From polluted rivers and unaffordable water
 
All: Jesus, now lead us to the thirsty and the un-bathed
A candle is lit for Mozambique, Silence and then Voluntary prayers follow.
 
Leader: From the corridors of statehouses of the mighty Empires;
 
All: Jesus, now lead us to shelter the homeless and foreigner in your love
A candle is lit for Namibia, Silence and then Voluntary prayers follow.
 
Leader: From death of dreams of the elders and death of visions of Youth
 
All: Jesus, open our eyes to the joy and wonder of your Action through us!
A candle is lit for Botswana, Silence and then Voluntary prayers follow.
 
(Taken from Prayer Book of the UCCSA Ministerial House of Formation, a theological training school for clergy in Southern Africa. The five countries mentioned in the prayer are the places where the UCCSA is present.)