Good Friday Prayer of the Day/Collect

Holy One of heaven and earth: On this most solemn of days in the church year, we confess that we, along with all of humankind, crucified, and continue to crucify Jesus your Son with our betrayals, denials, hostile rejections, hatreds, countless isms that divide us from one another and cause brokenness in our relationships with others, pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, destructive self-indulgences, indifference to the suffering and injustices of the poor, marginalized and oppressed, and a host of other sins. Have mercy on us, forgive us, and lead us in the way of the cross, that we may be ever grateful for the eternal love of Jesus our Suffering Servant-Saviour and Messiah; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Prayer of the Day/Collect for Christmas Eve/Day

 

Jesus our light: There is so much darkness in the world, and even in our own hearts and lives. Political, economic, social, mental, physical and spiritual darknesses have way too much power and influence in the world. How we long for your coming in the church, the world and within each one of us to fill us with your light which is eternal and has the power to transform all things, all situations, all people. All praise and thanks to you Jesus, light of the world; may your light fill us and the whole universe with joy, hope, peace, and love, as we celebrate your birth today. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Ash Wednesday Prayer of the Day/Collect

As we begin the season of Lent today, and the sign of the cross is made on our foreheads, may it be much more than a vainglorious, external ritual. Rather, may the ash cross on our foreheads be a reminder to each one of us of the all-encompassing sacrifice that you made for us Jesus, through your suffering and death on the cross. In true humility, and by your grace, may we repent of our sins, and, in response to your forgiving love, grant us the will and commitment to serve all who are poor and oppressed, widows, widowers, orphans, our Indigenous neighbours, refugees, the homeless, those suffering from abuse and addictions of all kinds, those whom the affluent and powerful sideline, forget and exploit. Help us Jesus, our cross-bearing Messiah to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow you. In your precious name, we pray. 

Prayer of the Day/Collect for 1st Sunday in Advent Yr C

 

Blessed Creator of heaven and earth: In the midst of catastrophic times due to climate change, we turn to you in repentance of our lack of care for your creation, and hope that even in the worst of times your Son, Jesus comes to us with the hope of a better world; in whose name we pray. 

A COVID-19 Lament by the Rev. Eclecticity

 

Image credit: patheos.com

Introduction

Lament, for people of faith, has been a popular genre for centuries. Prophets like Jeremiah were familiar with it. Many of the Psalms are laments—both communal and individual. Jesus lamented over the city of Jerusalem. Laments often originate out of the contexts of suffering and injustices. They address God by expressing, among other aspects of the human condition: pain and hurt, despair, doubt, anger, disappointment, impatience, and some of them even end with faith, hope and confidence. The longer COVID-19 lasts, the more I find myself lamenting over so many things in life that I probably took way too much for granted. Problems and issues on local, provincial, national and international levels that existed prior to the coronavirus seem to me to be even more pronounced now, during COVID-19. Suffering and injustices that, in our right hearts and minds, ought to draw us all closer together, seem to divide humankind even more. Violence and hatred seem to be flourishing, while love, kindness and non-violence wane. The rhetoric of some political leaders seems to be adding even more fuel to the fire. In light of so many people of faith over the centuries, I think one thing we all need to do is bring it all to God. In what follows is my all-too-imperfect and fragmentary attempt to do that.

 

A COVID-19 Lament-words by the Rev. Eclecticity (I wrote this as a litany for our recent area clergy cluster meeting.)

One: How long, O God must we cry to you before you deliver us?

All: This coronavirus has wreaked havoc with all humankind;

One: Do you not see? Do you not hear the cries of suffering and despair? Do you not care?

All: COVID-19 has made more explicit what many a prophet has known for so long;

One: That in times of trouble the rich and powerful are ever the more selfish and exploitative;

All: That the poorest of the poor are at greatest risk of being infected with the coronavirus

One: Since they lack adequate water to wash their hands;

All: Have little if any access to masks and sanitizer;

One: And far too many are overcrowded in refugee camps.

All: The old are often locked up in long-term care facilities and dying of loneliness;

One: Many are separated from their families and die alone in hospitals. We cannot even say goodbye to them and grieve properly together.

All: Church doors are closed, pastors and congregations miss corporate worship and koinonia.

One: How can we sing our songs without spreading the virus?

All: Come to us now in this time of need; deliver us from this ocean of death;

One: For you have promised to be with us always; so we commend our lives into your hands.

All: God of resurrection deliver us.

Prayer of the Day/Collect for Good Friday, Yr A

On this holy day, we remember you Jesus; as you suffered excruciating pain and a cruel death; which you freely chose in love for the whole human race to forgive their sin and promise life eternal. Today we also remember our participation in your suffering and death; we are equally as guilty as all of those who participated in sending you to the cross. Today we also remember that you continue to suffer with the whole human race as many have died and will die of the coronavirus. May everyone find strength by turning to you in order to cope with the life-threatening circumstances in which we face. May we live with resurrection hope that there will be life beyond COVID-19; just as your resurrection gives hope beyond the grave. All praise and thanks to you Jesus; our Suffering Servant; for all that you have accomplished for us on the cross.

The New Year, gratitude, and the longing for peace with justice

The following quote, attributed to Lord Allton, is worth our consideration as we begin another New Year:

   If you have never been in war, imprisoned or suffered from starvation, then you are better off than five hundred million other people. If you can read, then you are better off than two billion who are unable to do so. If you can attend a church without fear of harassment, or worse, then you are better off than three billion people in the world.

   If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, then you are richer than three-quarters of your fellow human beings. If you have money in the bank or your wallet or purse, then you are among the top eight per cent of the world's wealthy.

   NOTE: This citation is at least a few years old by now, so the exact numbers and/or percentages I expect may have changed since then. However, that being said, there is much prayer, thought, word and action required to change the unjust political, economic and religious systems around the globe for a better, more peaceful, just world in the future. This is especially true for Christians and Jews who live in countries where they are religious minorities. Even in North America and Europe, the growing number of antisemitic and anti-Christian incidents and sentiment are rather alarming.

   As we begin this New Year, may God help us all to pray, desire, and work for: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven!"   

Prayer of the Day/Collect for Christ the King Sunday

  Christ our King: Unlike all other monarchs, you usher in your realm through the power of love rather than the love of power. Inspire us with your example of true servanthood to be faithful citizens of your realm by responding to your love for us by working for justice and peace in our world, our nation, our community, and our homes; through Jesus Christ our King, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and through all ages of ages.