After a week of trauma in Australia and abroad, I thought these two prayers were worth sharing. The first I found in my reading this morning, the second, appropriately, I have said each day this week as part of the Daily Office.
O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those
of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us;
remember the fruits we bought, thanks to this suffering – comradeship, our
loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart
which has grown out of this; and when they come to judgement,
let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.
(Found on a piece of wrapping paper in Ravensbrooke, the largest of the
German concentration camps for women.
Quoted by Stephen Platten in “Thanksgiving.” in Liturgical Spirituality:
Anglican Reflections on the Church’s Prayer. Stephen Burns (Ed), New York:
Seabury Press, 2013, p23.
Collect for the Third Week in Advent
Almighty God, you have made us and all things to serve you:
come quickly to save us, so that wars and violence shall end,
and your children may live in peace,
honouring one another with justice and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Swallowsrest 