Issue 21: Prayers from the Book of Common Prayer

“For the mountains will take up a weeping and wailing, and for the pastures of the wilderness a dirge, because they are laid waste."

Jeremiah 9:10

In places of brokenness, where so much feels unutterable and unimaginable, we encounter Jesus. 

Join us in today's reflection and prayer through this series, "For the Soul," as we hear the Spirit's voice through four, beautiful prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. May His mercy heal our broken hearts.

REFLECTION

We are very aware that the core words at the heart of our mission at M25i, “Contending for Shalom,” feel poignant, painful and even irrational right now. As Jesus people, we fight for hope even as we watch the world on fire. From Israel to Gaza, from Guatemala (in chaos) to Ottawa (violence on the streets grappled with by one of our M25i practitioners), suffering is unrelenting.

The vulnerable and poor often and consistently bear the heaviest impact. This is exactly why the M25i work is so important.

As Anglicans who care deeply about these things in our own neighborhoods and around the world, we will hold to hope like fools—Trinitarian Gospel fools—choosing to trust in a wise, good, and powerful God.

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Let Us Pray

For the Peace of the World 

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

In Times of Social Conflict or Distress

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 For the Mission of the Church 

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Participation in the Peace of God
In the Tradition of Francis of Assisi 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is error, truth; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Our mission a the Matthew 25 Initiative is to equip and sustain Anglicans serving alongside the vulnerable. The work of justice and mercy is often wondrous and also difficult work. Holding beauty, naming pain, and contending for hope is what M25i does well.

Would you consider joining us in the work of contending for shalom?