My beloved family in Christ,
Loving greetings to you all from the House of Bishops meeting. Please know that I am with you in prayer and in the hope of Christ who is our light in all darkness; and there can be no denying that there is much darkness in this world. Please pray and support others in prayer. Remember that in times of deepest darkness and anxiety, people are not at their best. In times such as these, when darkness seems to advance, often we witness people, our brothers and sisters, reacting rather than discerning and responding with hearts cleansed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (see the Collect for Purity). Indeed, we may feel the darkness pulling ourselves to react. Anger, fear, and vulnerability in our charged political and media-centric world tempt us to SAY something, post something, give voice to your anger, and quickly before it is too late.
May I encourage you to pray, and to invite others to discernment through prayer rather than reaction. Let us turn to the Light of the world lest we in our reactivity fan flames that only feed the darkness.
Please understand that I am not calling you to lay aside your baptismal witness to seek and serve Christ in all people or to strive for justice and peace. All I ask is that we give time to discern and pray for the Light of Christ to guide us and to fill our hearts with the clarity of love and mercy. This is more than “thoughts and prayers.”
God bless you all in your witness to Jesus and His love.
A few prayers from the BCP for your consideration:
The Collect for Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- 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 Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.
- For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the
world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among
them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they
may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
- For our Enemies
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love
our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in
your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
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.
