Christian Unity Week

Christian Unity has long been a passion of mine (despite my intense detestation of the typical Presbyterian monologue services I all too often have had to endure in its furtherance!)  My personal theology is that of that brilliant and appropriate collect from 1929 Scottish Prayer Book for the unity of all Christian people: 

O GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that, as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The material for this year's unity services is from Poland and their prayers of repentance and for unity and Transformation are excellent.

Prayer of repentance 

L: Almighty God, in spite of the Unity we receive in Christ, we persist in our disunity. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: We harden our hearts when we hear the Gospel. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: We fail to serve You in our brothers and sisters. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: The disobedience of Adam and Eve brought suffering and death to us, and creation was wounded and torn apart. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: May God Almighty have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and lead us to eternal life.
C: Amen.

Prayers for Unity and Transformation 

L: United in Christ who gives us the victory, let us pray to God:
For the Church, the Body of Christ, that we might truly live the unity we receive through the Holy Spirit. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the leaders of our churches that they may be faithful to the unity to which all Christians are called. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the nations of the world, that they may live in peace with one another and promote justice for all. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For all people, that we may be good stewards of the earth. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the people of our society, that we may be transformed to live as caring neighbours to each other. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the sick and suffering, that they may be transformed by your healing presence. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For all families and households, that their struggles and joys may find their fulfilment in your love. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the dying, that they may be comforted by your presence. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: Lord, stand in our midst and grant us unity and peace.
C: Amen.

Prayer is the foundation of true Christian unity, not doctrinal committees.  Only it can break down centuries of mistrust, prejudice and misunderstanding.   if we all pray and keep on praying, something will happen!

A back to the people service

I found myself at an altar in the Cathedral celebrating the 1929 Liturgy in the Eastward position this morning. Candid confession time: although I'm perfectly happy to celebrated westward and have done so for years, in my heart of hearts, I'm happiest facing east! I think it's a celebrant thing in my case. I don't mind the celebrant facing the people, but I feel more comfortable when I am not aware of the peeps looking at me. My focus is absolutely on the words and God and I'm not distracted by fainting grannies, galloping toddlers or the shiny balloon someone has tied to the Font to celebrate a Golden Wedding. (That has happened!) I also love the chance to use some of the old prayers.

This morning, I interceded using the Bidding Prayer. I prayed for "our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, over all estates of men in these her dominions supreme"! For "the Lord Provost and magistrates of this ancient and royal City", praying "that all these in their several callings may serve truly and faithfully to the glory of God and the edifying and well-governing of his people, remebering always the strict and solemn account which they must give before the judgement seat of Christ" (Now that is a prayer designed to put the wind up the Cooncillor submitting a hooky expenses claim!) And that splendid petition for education: "And that there may never be wanting a supply of fit persons to serve God in Church and State, let us pray for a blessing on our universities, especially those in this city, especially on the Theological Institute of our Church, that in these and in all places set apart for God's honour and service, true religion and sound learning may ever flourish and abound".

I don't think those prayer or sentiments have dated and could well do with further outings in the right context and setting. Then afterwards it was off for a coffee and I ran into the former Vice-Provost, the lovely Jane, who was coming in to do the 1.05pm Eucharist. It was a sort of clerical shift change!

My soup making was quite effective tonight - but I did overdo the pepper slightly in the vegetable broth! Still, it kept us all warm!

A musical interlude: well, after all the talk of facing east, let's "Go West"!

Saying your prayers.

I've got back recently into the habit of saying my daily office in Church. But, following a blog chat with the Autocephalous Patriarch of Dumbarton (aka Fr Kenny), I've reverted to the 1929 Prayer Book, rather than the 1990 or even the Roman Office. And I'm getting something unexpected (but good) from the old book. When praying the office alone, I always feel as if I'm talking to a void. But with 1929, the sheer beauty and rolling cadences of the Psalms as translated by Coverdale simply transport me. I am enjoying spending time praying the office. I suppose it's a case of "pray as you can and not as you can't" and don't worry if it ain't PC or modern. It's really between you and God, so get on with it and enjoy. And the thanksgiving for favourable weather got used this morning as it's nice and sunny! Plus, I've added a wee recital of the Rosary onto the office each evening for the duration of the Lambeth Conference. They need the prayers!

BTW I'd be grateful, if you could pray for my cousin's wife Margo, who is very ill with terminal cancer. She really is in a dreadful state just now.