05 april
Reflection:
DID
YOU KNOW? - Palm Sunday
The last week of Lent, or Holy Week, begins the final journey towards the
Easter celebration. It starts with the Liturgy of the Palms, when we
commemorate the celebratory entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The folks at the
time were anticipating that the oppressive regime would be overthrown; and
gathered palms fronds from the nearby trees to express their jubilation -
similar to how in modern days, happy parades include noise-makers and ribbons or
pompoms at the sidelines. We all want to be part of the celebration.
We enter into Holy Week: with prayer and praise, knowing that while this week
feels different this year in our shared sense of grief and exile, we are buoyed
by the truth of the resurrection, a truth we carry with us every day.
The date of Palm Sunday is always in flux. This is because Easter is called a
moveable feast: the date is not fixed by the calendar (like Christmas, for
example), but by the lunar cycle. The Council of Nicaea in 325 gathered to make
a number of decisions related to the newly-decriminalised Christian tradition.
This included a statement of faith (Nicene Creed), the biblical canon, and the
date for Easter. The feast of the resurrection was set to take place on the
Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (first day of
spring - now known as March 21), While this constant change may seem a tad
confusing to us today, it's good to remember that calendars were not consistent
in the time of the Council; our modern use of days and months was only
established in the 16th century - most early dates were set on the constancy of
the moon.
09 april - Maundy
Thursday
PRAYERS:
As you taught your disciples to pray; we gather here,
a great assembly of distant twos or threes, connected to you through our
prayers. With one heart and one voice we raise to you our petitions and
praises.
We pray for your church: asking you to strengthen and
support our leaders and encourage us all to loving service.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the rulers of the nations; that your will
may be lived through their decisions.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our hometowns: that we may develop an
economy of grace in our communities.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our loved ones: especially those we have
not seen and cannot embrace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are sick, and those who offer
care: that you will refresh the exhausted and heal the hurt.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are distressed: that your peace
will calm unnerved spirits and support the weary.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for victims of violence, oppression, and
persecution; and for all perpetrators of evil: that justice may prevail.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves: that you will help us to live
holy and healthy lives.
Lord, hear our prayer.
12 april - EASTER
PRAYERS:
Uncontainable Saviour, fill our hearts
with the eternal joy of your resurrection.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Inspire your church with renewed faith
and strength.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Help us find ways to maintain the clean
hearts you create in us all.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Break the tombs of our earthly fears
with your liberating love.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Support the broken-hearted and
strengthen the weary with the grace you lavish on the world.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
That all who lack will find enough; that
all who doubt will find faith, that all who have abundance may joyfully share.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Give your light to the sick; restore the
exhausted, empower the carers, comfort those in darkness.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Bless us all, loving God, as we strive
to be a blessing.
Hear us, Risen Christ!
Amen.
19 APRIL Prayers:
We pray for the
church: for the leadership modeled by our Archbishop Ron, for the abundant ways
technology is enhancing our worship, for the creative ways the whole people of
God are reaching out and responding to the needs of our world. That we will
continue to be a calming and positive influence in our world, we pray to the
Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the
Queen and for all in authority: that leaders of nations and communities may
govern in these difficult and unprecedented times with grace, despite heavy
criticism; that they may truly serve their people as is best for us all, and
that we will treat them with respect and compassion in our hearts and minds and
comments. we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the
world: as COVID-19 increases risk and fear for so many, we pray for those who
are victims of violence; for refugees and displaced people; for those without
shelter or means; for the shunned; for those who are oppressed and imprisoned,
for those without access to food and clean water; for those denied the option
of physical distancing.
We offer prayers
of thanksgiving for those who are safe in quarantine, and for those who respect
the uncomfortable yet necessary actions for the benefit of society.
Help us to
recognise our privilege at this time, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for
ourselves: for those in our communities who are struggling with isolation and
loneliness; for those who are paralyzed by fear; for those whose economic
realities are uncertain and scary. We pray for wisdom to prevail in our
community, for the helpers to continue to empower positivity and assistance for
all who need it. We pray for the vulnerable whose challenges have increased. We
pray that our future will be one of health and wholeness for ourselves, our
families, and our town. We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those
in need: for those with COVID-19 who are more than a statistic; for those whose
non-COVID-related illnesses are facing delays in treatments as a result of this
pandemic; for those who are carriers of illness without being aware. We pray
for those whose minds are trapped in darkness; for all who are overwhelmed by
our collective anxiety. We pray for those whose spirits are struggling to find
peace and comfort. we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those
working long hours in dangerous exposures: providers of medical and
administration needs, delivery people, food service providers, researchers and
technicians and essential service providers. Refresh the exhausted, empower the
front-line workers, inspire the researchers, inspire the social carers, support
those who support us. Help us to be kind and compassionate to those who are
supporting society. we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those
whom we love but see no more; that they may rest in peace and rise in glory. We
hold up before God those who grieve and mourn, who are at this time unable to
gather to celebrate the life of their beloved, and to receive comfort of
friends and family. We pray for those who cannot be physically with their loved
ones as the time of death draws near. That the peace of Christ will enfold them
all; we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We offer our
thanksgivings this day: help us, loving God, to seek out the positives; to
focus on our advantages; to know the goodness of this life. Guide and direct
our hearts to respond to the joy that comes from you, in ways that will reflect
our faith and our commitment as your followers. For blessings known and
unknown; for gifts received and anticipated; for all that brings us together in
your name: we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
26
april
PRAYERS:
We
come to you today - as every day - in prayer. We raise up the petitions,
intercessions, and thanksgivings in our hearts and minds, joining together with
you despite our physical distance. We pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for the church: expressing gratitude for the leadership of our Archbishop
Ron and those discerning a call to be bishop; for Archdeacon Ian and Regional
Dean Simon; for all who lead in the church.
We
ask your strength to continue to be your church, faithful and prayerful. For
those whose endurance is supported through prayer, those whose faith is
empowered through service; from those whose peace is sourced from the temporary
buildings of this earth.
As
Easter people, We pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for the Queen, who celebrated her 94th birthday this week, and continues
to lead with grace and dignity. We pray for all in authority, as they govern
the municipalities, provinces, and countries to the best of their ability.
Strengthen them, dear Lord, through these challenging times, that their actions
may be best for all people and times. We pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for the World: Acknowledging this week's Earth Day and watching a created
order that is struggling to recover as humanity continues this pause. For the
whole human family as we are invited to develop a new normal in our relations
with all creation. For the delicate ecosystems which sustain us, and the gift
of springtime blooms that promise us ongoing provision. For all good gifts of
the earth we pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for Community: For our towns and municipalities, as we find new ways to
support one another spiritually, emotionally, and through sharing of resources.
We
pray for Nova Scotia: a small province of large compassion currently
experiencing dismay and grief and anger; that you will comfort us, Lord, as you
mourn with us. Help us to see your light in our darkness. We pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for those in need:
For
those burdened with anxiety or paralyzed by fear; for those who are losing
their faith, and those who feel their spirits entombed in darkness; for those
whose bodies are fighting diseases, pain, and dysfunction; and for those whose
earthly circumstances prevent them from the most basic necessities of food,
clean water, shelter, and clothing:
And
for those whose ministry is to care for these needs, holding up the dignity and
well-being of every human being. We pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for the departed: for those who have died peacefully, for those who have
died untimely; for those who have succumbed to COVID-19 related illnesses; for
those who have died alone.
That
they receive your perfect love as they pass from this life to the next. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. We
pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
pray for all victims of violence: for those killed last weekend; for those
terrorized by the devastation in our province.
For
all who are unsafe at home during this time; for those without homes; for those
who are victims of gender-based violence.
For
refugees, prisoners, the oppressed; for all who are denied (by persons or
systems) the full life you imagined for us.
We
remain thankful for all who are finding new ways to offer help to the
vulnerable.
God
of the helpless, we pray:
Lord hear our prayer.
We
focus on gratitudes: for the beauty of this day; for the love from you that
encourages us to give and receive love with those around us; for our families
and friends; for the food we eat; for the blessings you continuously shower
upon us. May we always turn to you with grateful hearts, and extend that
kindness to the world. We pray:
Lord hear our prayer. Amen.
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