Dear Franciscans,
Yesterday, our nation experienced deeply troubling events in the capitol, Washington, D.C. These events include the disruption of the process by which our leaders are affirmed and invested with their responsibilities.
Because of the nature of these disturbances, I want to encourage you to join me in prayers for our nation, for its guidance, and for peace among its people. Last night’s intercessions at Evening Prayer focused on our Republic, its citizens, and its leaders. We asked for God’s help, mercy, and strength. Those prayers will continue.
Accompanying this email is a letter from our Bishops and a link to a Facebook appeal from the Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry.
If you cannot find the words and if the spirit of God is difficult to access at this time, I have included selections from the Book of Common Prayer which may guide your words and spirit.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
For Guidance
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Times of Conflict
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer Attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek 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.
I pray for your comfort and peace at this time.
In Christ’s peace,
David+
Photo Credit: BRANDONJ74 | Credit: Getty Images; Copyright: BRANDON JENNINGS