Archbishop's prayers for Alan Johnston

The Archbishop, who is currently in Winnipeg attending the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, said he would be praying for Mr. Johnston during the Eucharist service which would be taking place at the same time as world wide vigils for Mr. Johnson.

The Prayers – which have been used in the Archbishop's chapel in Bishopthorpe since 17 April – have been used alongside prayers for peace in the Middle East and wider region.

For Alan Johnston

We pray our Father for Alan Johnston whose freedom has been taken away from him and now suffers abduction for the sake of his good and peaceable conscience.
We pray for Alan and all whose vision of your world is seen in captivity, and in whose heart the lamp of hope burns low.
God of mercy, give Alan help, according to his need,
And bring him home in safety we pray.
Hear our prayer for Jesus Christ's sake

Amen.

O God our father, whose son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death; strengthen those who suffer for the sake of a good and peaceable conscience.
When they are accused, save them from speaking in haste;
when they are rejected, save them from bitterness;
when they are imprisoned, save them from despair;
and to us your servants give grace to respect their witness
and to discern the truth;
For the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous judge

Amen.


For Peace

O God, lead us from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe.
World Prayer for Peace, Satish Kumar

For the Peoples of the Middle East

Your kingdom come, O Lord,
with deliverance for the needy,
with peace for the righteous,
with overflowing blessing for all nations,
with glory, honour and praise
for the One God and Father of us all.
Common Worship Collect for Psalm 72, adapted

Lord, make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me be your love
Where there is injury, let me be your healing and pardon
Where there is despair, let me be your hope
Where there is darkness, let me be your light
Where there is sadness, let me be your consolation and joy
Help me to love with all my heart;
To understand as I have been understood;
To forgive as I have been forgiven;
To give and to serve without counting the cost,
Lord, make me a channel of your peace. Amen.
A prayer after Saint Francis of Assisi adapted by John Sentamu.