A Prayer for Hong Kong

What begun as a protest in opposition to a proposed extradition law that would have allowed the transfer of fugitives to mainland China, the demonstrations in Hong Kong (now in its 6th month) have since escalated into a much wider and prolonged anti-government movement that has resulted in increasingly violent clashes between protesters and police across the city. 

Loving God and Heavenly Father, you alone are sovereign over all things, nothing is hidden from your sight or outside of your control. Yet, you are not distant from us, or unconcerned with our frailties. In your Son Jesus Christ, you have come close to us. He was familiar with our suffering, experiencing hurt and rejection, taking on hatred and injustice, bearing our shame and sin upon himself on the cross, being forsaken by you, so that we can be welcomed in your presence. Thank you that you have given us Jesus, our mediator and shelter and your Spirit, our ever-present comforter. 

We pray for Hong Kong, for the restraint of violence and destruction, for a resolution to the current crisis, for the healing of division, and the binding up of wounds. Bring a spirit of understanding and calm, of dialogue and empathy. 

Help your people not to succumb to bitterness and division, but to walk alongside the broken, the hurting, and the grieving, and to speak of a better hope; about the one who is the Light, and who calls upon his followers to walk in the light, to extend forgiveness and grace to others, for we have been given measureless grace. 

You alone are sufficient, O God. Bring peace to our city, the lifting of despair and hostility, comfort in distress; and that many would turn to you in hope and faith. 

We ask these things, for your glory and in the name of our Saviour, Jesus. 

Amen. 

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Adapted from St Andrew's Church Kowloon, ‘A Prayer for Hong Kong’ at https://www.facebook.com/standrewskowloon/. Accessed 22 Nov 2019.