We're also thinking of kids in Haiti where school starts today (after being delayed a month, partly because high school final exams were delayed after Tropical Storm Chantal caused flooding and disruption back in June). La Rentrée (back to school) is such a challenging time for parents in Haiti, to get together the money so their kids can start school (as opposed to here in the States, where Back to School becomes the theme for every product being advertised, from cars to clothes, to insurance and who knows what else).
Have you ever considered having to choose which of your children you can afford to send to school? Or choose between taking a sick family member to the doctor or paying school fees? Or knowing that if you pay the school fees, buy the uniforms, there won't be anything left to buy food? For a small percentage of the world's population, we (yes, that's us, if you have enough food, decent enough clothes, live in a house or apartment, have a reasonably reliable means of transportation, you are among the top 15% of the world's wealthy), we can hardly fathom it, those choices are just unimaginable. For the majority, it's part of the daily challenge of survival.
So, we're thinking of kids excited to go to school in Haiti today. Kids left behind while siblings get to go. Parents watching proudly, yet counting the cost. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Bless all who seek to learn. Bless all who seek to provide for their loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
I'm not usually one for very formal prayers, but without a doubt, they can be very powerful. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. And may we be ready to be used by you to answer these prayers.
Almighty God, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have the grace to take up our cross and follow him in pursuit of your work of reconciliation in the world. God of love, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the poor, hungry, and neglected all over the world, that their cries for daily bread may inspire works of compassion and mercy among those to whom much has been given.
Silence
Almighty and most merciful God, you command us to offer food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted; Grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart; that, following in the steps of your blessed Son, we may give of ourselves in the service of others until poverty and hunger cease in all the world, and all things are reconciled in the reign of Christ. God of love, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for schools and centers of learning throughout the world, for those who lack access to basic education, and for the light of knowledge to blossom and shine in the lives of all God’s people.
Silence
Eternal God, the author and source of all knowledge and Truth: bless all who seek to learn and those who teach them, and inspire us to break down barriers that withhold education from your children; that, enlightened with the bright beams of Wisdom, all may be equipped to seek the blessings of liberty, justice, and peace. God of love, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for an end to the divisions and inequalities that scar God’s creation, particularly the barriers to freedom faced by God's children throughout the world because of gender; that all who have been formed in God’s image might have equality in pursuit of the blessings of creation.
A bidding prayer taken from https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/worship-resources/prayers-and-liturgies
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