YEAR END- PRAYER SERVICE

PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE YEAR END - 30

INTRODUCTION: As we have come to the close of this year which is not only the end of an year, we need to thank god for the wonders he works even at this moment. But we must also apologise for the destruction we have brought upon His creation including ourselves-the crown of creation. So this prayer will have 2 main parts- Thanksgiving – penitential rite. Both the parts will be ended with the service of the light.

Thanksgiving: Father, we have come to the close of another year. We thank you for the mighty works of your hands, most of them created through instrumentality of man. The progress in every field- science, technology and medicine-cures for various diseases, computers, phones, T.V., internet, etc…..All these has added life and brought the world closer. Coming to the field of sports, a lot of games and gatherings which increased friendship among nations, in the social fields the UNO, G-8 CHOGM different continental unions, etc… formed to discuss common problems and enhance mutual trust and friendship. The sharing of cultural heritage through the various tourism days and other cultural program conducted in every country. And not forgetting the spiritual level- a lot of understanding among the different religions through faith sharing meetings of all faiths, denominations within particular religions etc…. in the recent years the topic of dialogue seems to be of vast importance felt by members of every faith and goodwill. In the Catholic Church the Vatican 2^nd council brought about a major change in both the understanding and attitudes. All these are indicators that man is interested in the well being of another, the prime concern of God and therefore co-workers with God. So at this moment let us thank God in particular, for all the wonders He has worked in our lives. As the prayer is said one child will come and place the placard on the collage at the appropriate place.

PHYSICAL: we thank you God for the progress made to improve our physical energies through medicines and exercises…

                   Resp……Father we thank you, we bless you, we praise your name.

INTELLECTUAL: Accept our gratitude oh father for the intellectual advancement brought through the use of modern technology and gadgets.

SOCIAL: Almighty father your plan for man was that he lives together in unity and harmony with one another. This is what we want to share in our society, so we gather at picnics and meetings to enhance this unity.

CULTURAL: Cultural is a part of every race. Father thank you for creating variety in our world that we can enjoy each other’s company and share our different cultures and be one in mind and heart.

SPIRITUAL: master of our soul, we thank you for reminding us that we all belong to you. This world is not our home but where you are. Thank you for touching the hearts of many men and women in centuries gone by to find you- the source of our origin through- renunciation, tapas, nirvana etc…

HYMN…..this world……..c-60

Commentator: Having said much of the progress let us not close our eyes to the division and pain people have caused to our world and humanity [Room to be darkened gradually]

Penitential rite: after each supplication your response….. Forgive my sins o Lord…..

Physical: We are sorry father for destroying your life within us using drugs, alcohol, abortion, crimes and suicides. We made wealth, power and pleasures our gods and forgot you the one true God.

Intellectual: Father instead of using our mind to enhance your gifts, we have indulged in selfishness and egoism. I for myself and God for all the rest. Through Cyber technology we have destroyed the future of so many of our young.

Social: Lord we often become so conscious of our identity as belonging to a particular region and forgot that we first belong to the race of humanity and thus caused divisions.

Cultural: Loving father, we forgot that variety is the spice of life and falsely adored our own culture as the only and best one and criticized or even harmed people of other cultures.

Spiritual: In the name of religion had wars and killed many people for not sharing our faith.

Commentator: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. God our loving father, we your weak children have gathered here, to take thy touch and lighten the burden, heal the pain and dispel the darkness that is looming over our society and humanity. We are almost on the verge of having a nuclear war, make us your instruments Lord and let hope be our motto to make this world a better place for living in.

Prayer…. Abba, our loving father, we thank you for the year ….. and for the entire millennium as a whole. Each and every moment father, your love has protected us and guided us- it is you who have brought us to this day, blessed us with our beloved ones and with all the things we need to make our lives happy. Father, as we reflected on the happenings in our world, our nation, our society we have come to realize that a lot of unhappiness, violence… is existing in our world today, and it is we who have to shun away the darkness of this evil and bring about your radiance through our words and deeds. Father bless our efforts and help us always to spread your kingdom of peace, justice, love….. This prayer we make through Christ our Lord amen……..