In prayer on the heavy path of the Cross

The following is the English text of the prayers offered by Rev. Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, during the meeting with internally displaced persons in Juba’s Freedom Hall on Saturday, 4 February.

Moderator Iain Greenshields

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We gather together in the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

We cherish your promise to be with us through the Spirit whenever and wherever we gather in Your name.

We thank you for this space and ask that for all present it might be a space of hope.

A space where love is shared, known and experienced.

We are in Freedom Hall.

May indeed this be a place of new beginning — a place of freedom.

Our Lord spoke of the truth setting us free.

May His truth seep into all of our hearts.

May His wisdom, grace and peace flow into the heart and minds of all who are in transition in this place.

Help us all, by your grace to find our way home.

To be at peace with one another

To live without fear

To know the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bless all that we do here in Your Name

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Justin Welby

Loving Father, you welcome your children. Draw into your arms these young people. May they be close to you and comforted by you. May they know your Kingdom, even as they see the sufferings of our world. May they be the ones who take us by the hand and lead us closer towards your glory. Grant your children the strength and the protection of your presence.

Lord Jesus, who fled persecution as a baby. You knew confusion and chaos. You faced the cruelty of your people. On the cross, you died for your enemies and brought us all to new, everlasting life. Grant us your humility and your holiness, and walk with us on the heavy path of the Cross that leads to eternal joy with you.

Holy Spirit, who brings life to the places of darkness, love to hearts of hate, hope to a world of fear and despair. Rest in our hearts today, transform our lives so we might transform our world. May your fire burn away all hatred and bitterness, fear and enmity and set us alight with your love, your justice and your peace.