Our zoom service today will look a little different because, in a year in which we mark the 50th anniversary of the United Reformed Church, we have invited some special guests to come and share their views on the church of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

We are thrilled to welcome Reuben Watt – Youth Assembly Moderator and Jo Harris – Moderator-Elect – to shine some light on the topic.

Youth Work Prayers – Sue Walkling

Parent God,

we give you thanks for the children and young people who enrich our lives. May they know that they are loved and valued.

We pray for children and young people who live with the fear of violence and abuse. May they know that they are your children, loved and valued by you. We pray for organisations who work to support victims of violence and abuse: may they be properly funded and know that they make a difference.

Father God, whose own son was a refugee,

we pray for children and their families who have fled from their homes due to war or famine and face the dangers of the cold of winter and COVID in refugee camps: may they not lose hope. We pray for the organisations who work within the camps and we pray that the world may become a place of peace and equality, so that all may have what they need.

We pray for children, young people and their families trapped in homelessness, living on the streets or in unsuitable bed-sit accommodation. We pray for the policy makers that they focus on providing quality housing for all, not just for those who have the money to pay for luxuries they do not need.

We give thanks for young people who inspire others:

• we pray for climate campaigners that their voices may be heard, and action taken.
• we pray for young carers who quietly support and care for family members. We pray that they will be supported so that they can enjoy their childhood and youth.
• we pray for children and young people within our churches, praying for Reuben and for Jo and the members of the United Reformed Church Youth Executive: may they continue to encourage, challenge and inspire each other and the rest of the church, so that together we become a more loving, inclusive and campaigning church, giving a voice to those who need to be heard.

We pray for the URC Children and Youthwork team and all who work with children and young people in our churches. We pray for those who do similar work in the Presbyterian Church of Wales from Coleg y Bala and with Souled Out and with the South Wales Baptist Association through their ‘Joining the Dots’ initiative. Inspire and encourage them to share your love and vision for a fairer world with all those with whom they work.

And now we pray for that world, for the many situations we have heard about in the news this week:

• for the people of Kazakhstan
• for those still affected by wildfires
• for those who have to make the decision to heat or eat and fear the rise in fuel prices.

In a moment of quiet we pray for the people and places that are known to us.

Loving God,

we offer all these prayers longing for all creation to grow in the light of your love, Amen