Prayer for a Hurting WorldSample

Today, we are praying through the Lord’s prayer—the words Jesus taught us to pray. The powerful simplicity of Jesus’ words continues to be transformative, whether you’ve heard them hundreds of times or just once. It is so strikingly beautiful that we are invited into personal, relational conversation with our God. 

May these words lead you to pray simple, expectant prayers.

Pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Lord, we praise You, for You are El Shaddai, God Almighty. We are thankful that we can always trust in You—Your holiness, faithfulness, goodness and mercy. You are sovereign, Lord. We declare the power of Your holy name over our world.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, we pray for the ways of Your kingdom to prevail in our world. Help us, Your people, to be ambassadors of Your kingdom, to be doers of Your will on earth as it is in heaven. In the face of fear, may we be people of courage. In the face of uncertainty, may we be people of peace. In the face of need, may we be people of action, compassion and love.

Give us today our daily bread.

God, thank You for providing for us. For those of us who face economic uncertainty, we pray for provision. Help us to trust You as Jehovah-Jireh, our God Who Provides. Out of that trust, may we learn to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. When we have much, open our eyes to how we can share with those in need.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Lord, open our eyes to how we fall short. Forgive us when we selfishly look out only for ourselves and our own, when we forget to trust You, when we criticize rather than contribute.

Help us to extend grace to one another. May we carry one another’s burdens and lift each other up in prayer and in practical ways. May forgiveness lead us to the freedom to love widely and radically.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

God, there is an ever-looming temptation to despair in the face of the overwhelming evil and need in our world. Deliver us from evil, Jesus. As we face down the brokenness of this world, grant us the gift of lament and lead us in the way of hope. 

Amen.

 

We hope this plan encouraged you! Explore other resources from Compassion Canada today.  

 

Photo: In Mexico, six-year-old Arath prays at his local Compassion centre.