Let us pray (in silence) [that we may persevere in our growth into God’s life]
pause
God of inspiration,
you caused all holy scriptures to be written for our instruction,
grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of your holy Word,
we may embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Amen.
One of the best-known English phrases must, surely, be “…read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest…” It was heard every year in church in the lead-up to Christmas in the collect for Advent 2. I do not think that any of the histories of the NZ Prayer Book explains why, when nearly all of Cranmer’s collects are retained, this memorable and important one was excised from the book.
So, although the above prayer is not an ancient one shared by Roman Catholics, I see it as significant enough to add to my Book of Prayers in Common. You will find my commentary and reflection here: Ordinary 33.
You can add your ideas and resources in the comments below.
Preaching Resources from Down Under
Textweek
Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary
Getting ready for Advent & Christmas
Image: Naive drawing in the style of of an ancient map of Jerusalem, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55326 [retrieved November 5, 2016]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46811478@N03/6300357781/.
