Prayer Vigil

Biddings:

Let us pray for Christ’s holy catholic Church: That is, for all Christians around the world, that we would seek to honour Christ in all our words and conduct…

Let us pray for peace in the world, remembering especially Ukraine and the surrounding district, for leadership throughout the world, and for all peoples…

Let us pray for those who suffer, remembering especially refugees; the anxious; the sick and the wounded…
We remember all those who mourn…

In speaking of what Christians refer to as the Kingdom of God and its nonviolent character, Bishop N.T. Wright makes this claim: “When God wants to take charge of the world, God doesn’t send in the tanks. God sends in the poor and the meek.”

Let us attend to the words of Jesus.

Matthew 5: 1-16

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

A Litany for Peace That God will protect all the people of Ukraine during this time of hardship, and have mercy on his servants, to save them from deadly wounds and all spiritual and physical sickness, to protect them from all sorrow, disaster, anger, and misery and for their healthy and safe return, we pray, Have mercy, O God. That our people may never be defeated by unjust enemies, and that peace and glory may dwell in our land, we pray, Have mercy, O God. That God will speedily to send aid to deliver all people from unjust aggressors, foreign invasion, and the terror of war, we pray, Have mercy, O God. That the God of humankind, the healer of hearts will sow into our hearts the seeds of love, understanding, justice, and respect, and cleanse and heal our hearts from hatred, prejudice, racism, and arrogance, we pray, Have mercy, O God.