Rise Up

Prayer for the G20 meeting tomorrow in London

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV)

Father, we stand before you in prayer as the global economic crisis casts a shadow over the peoples of the earth. We have been reminded that in a world as closely connected as ours, each of our actions affects the whole. We are sorry when we have failed to act beyond our narrow interests.Help us to live as a community and care for others, especially the vulnerable and the poor amongst us.

As the G20 meet, we ask for wisdom for the leaders of the world. Where nations have pushed their agendas on others; bring partnership and love. Where people have lived their lives disconnected from their brothers and sisters in other countries; bring solidarity and compassion.Where efforts for good have been frustrated; bring breakthrough. May we see the dawning of a new world, with your values at its heart: a world of justice, mercy
and humility.

Lord,we thank you for the promises which governments have already made in the Millennium Development Goals because we know their power to lift millions of people out of poverty.May that same spirit of global partnership be evident at the G20,may the poor not be forgotten in the midst of crisis. Father, help us to rise up. For who will raise a voice and reach out a hand to conform this world more to your plan, if not us your
people?

As your Church worldwide let us rise up – in prayer, in speaking out and in demonstrating your way of life – that out of the ruins of this current crisis might rise up a hope for a better world.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

THE RISE UP PRAYER
written by Joel Edwards, International Director of Micah Challenge