If the bishops and senior leaders of Anglicanism forget to articulate the significance of worship, spirituality, and common prayer to our identity, then it is up to us to keep reminding them – and, more importantly, to be living that in our communities.
Living and gracious God,
you have prepared for those who love you
good things which no eye can see,
and which surpass our understanding;
pour into our hearts such longing for you,
that we,
loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Once, when he was arguing with a Protestant peasant woman in his village, he asked her, “Where was your Church before the Reformation?” She promptly replied, “In the hearts of people like you.”
Grant to us, O God, we pray,
the spirit to always think and do what is right,
that we, who cannot exist without you,
may be able to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, your Son called Lazarus from the grave and sat at table in the house of Bethany. Like Martha, may we serve him faithfully in our brothers and sisters and with Mary ponder and feed upon his word. This we ask of you…
O God,
may your ceaseless mercy
cleanse and defend your church,
and, since it cannot stand firm without you,
guide and govern it always by your goodness;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The language used to promote ordination and Religious Life (meaning, community, following Jesus, joy, prayer, service…) needs to become the language AND THE REALITY of encouraging people to come to church – to join the common prayer of the gathered Christian community.
Living God,
the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy;
enfold us in your gracious care and mercy,
that with you to govern and to guide us
we may so use your gifts in this fleeting world
that we do not lose the good that is eternal;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
