Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
As some of you may know this year I will lead the intercessions at the Sung Eucharist service on a rota basis at St Mary Magdalene. Inspired by Walter Brueggmann, "This City....of God" Prayers for a Privileged People (Abingdon Press 2010) this is a prayer I am thinking of using for a coming Service. Let me know what you think of it.
'O Lord, the church of St Mary Magdalene is situated in the Borough of Basildon, a diverse community as many are, but this is our home. We pray for those living in the multi million pound houses north of the Borough and for those who have no home and will sleep tonight in a cold draughty shop doorway in the Town Centre. For those who make their purchases online from the most expensive shops, and for those who need to produce a voucher to collect their weekly necessities from the Foodbank. For those who take regular exercise, perhaps running marathons and for those for whom even standing up is an impossibility. For those surrounded by close friends and family and for those whose only contact with the outside world is the flickering images on the TV screen. For those born and bred in this country and for those recently arrived who are struggling to learn a new language and new customs. For those joyfully welcoming a new child into the world and for those mourning the loss of a loved one. Teach us not to forget, Lord, that you have made each of us in your own image. We are all members of your family - neighbours whom you call us to love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
2 Comments
Steve Givens
13/1/2020 01:27:41 pm
This is really beautiful and powerful, Peter (and Walter!) All in the image and likeness of God.
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Peter
13/1/2020 02:59:34 pm
Thanks Steve, that is just what I needed to hear. I saw a version of Walter's prayer on Saturday on a Franciscan website but this came to me fully formed at about 3am on Monday!
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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