A Prayer of Intercession based on Jeremiah 1:4-10 (lectionary reading for 21.08.22)

Father God,

Help rid us of the lies we tell ourselves. “I am too young to speak effectively”, “I am too inexperienced to lead”, “I am too small to make a difference.”

Help us to see our usefulness through the eyes of the Kingdom, not the expectations of the world, recognising that you do not call the qualified, but qualify the called.

Help us not only with the presumptions that hold us back in our own journey with you, but open our eyes to the biases and presumptions we possess that hold back the potential of others.

When, consciously or unconsciously, we don’t recognise the skills, capabilities, and dignity of other people. When we place limits on what we think you can achieve through others.

Prevent us from idolising the kinds of people we have traditionally given responsibility to.

Do away with the assumption that people in global poverty need the solutions of westerners like me.

Discourage us from thinking that someone’s appearance or background disqualifies them from any role in your Kingdom.

Amen.