Today was our first ‘Churches Together’ prayer meeting of 2021 and we looked at Matthew 2:1-12 as we meditated on the visit of the Magi to Jesus and used these thoughts as the basis for our prayers.
The Magi were searching for something. Many today are searching for things – happiness, wealth, health, prosperity, good relationships. Many are also seeking truth, answers and even God. We prayed for all who seek to find (Matt 7:7-8)
The Magi travelled from the East to find Jesus. We prayed for all who have travelled, fleeing persecution and war, and for those who work to help refugees. We prayed also for the travel industry at this difficult time and for all who still have to travel for their work.
The Magi were wealthy and wise. They used their wealth to bring gifts to Jesus. We prayed for all with wealth and power to have spiritual wisdom and to use wealth wisely, for the benefit of others. We also prayed that we may be generous as they were, sharing with others in need. We prayed also for all in authority, especially our Government and local and church leaders at this time and for regeneration in our area: economic, physical and spiritual.
The Magi came to worship a King who was a baby. We prayed for families in our churches and local areas, for parents who may well be struggling at this time of lockdown to juggle work and homeschooling, for teachers and children and young people at nurseries, schools and universities. We long for our playgroups and children’s ministries to be able to re-open safely and prayed for the work of local churches in reaching out to families and children and young people.
The Magi were led by a star, a divine sign. We prayed that we will all know the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, individually and as churches, throughout 2021.
To conclude, we added our fingerprints to a star as our ‘Amen’ to these prayers.
