Saturday Prayers: May 16th – 17th, 2020

Sixth Sunday of Easter

If you love me, you will keep my word, and my Father will love you, and we will come to you. John 14. 23.

Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you riches beyond imagination. Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardor glowing. O Comforter draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing. (Bianco da Siena)

 

16th, 19th, 20th of May – Rogation Days

When we pray God’s Blessing on the crops being sown.

Almighty and merciful God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift. Bless we pray the labours of your people, and cause the earth to bring forth its fruits abundantly in their season, that we may with grateful hearts and minds give thanks for all your Blessings, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We plough the fields and scatter the good seeds on the land, but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand. He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes and the sunshine and soft refreshing rain. All good things around us are sent from heaven above, So thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love. (Matthias Claudius)

 

Thursday, May 21st – Ascension Day

Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28. 19-20

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven, that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole of creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hail, thou once despised Jesus! Hail thou Galilean King! Thou didst suffer to release us, thou didst free salvation bring. Hail thou universal Saviour! Thou hast borne our sin and shame; by thy merits we find favour; life is given through thy name. (John Bakewell)

And we continue our thoughts and prayers for all of those suffering from the illness Coronavirus COVID- 19, and those who minister to them of God’s healing grace, and all of those whose lives have been disrupted and affected by this virus.

Lord, lay your Holy Healing Hands of Blessing upon the sick, the weak and the dying; give courage and strength to those who care for them; and sustain and direct those whose lives have been disrupted by this world wide illness… Life giving Spirit help us to see and know that we are all children of the Living God, through whom we live and move and have our being. Lead us Heavenly Father, lead us, day by day lay your holy healing hands upon us all, protect us and grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ the Lord of all. Amen.

Go forth into the world in peace, be of good cheer, hold fast that which is good – And the peace of God will be with you. Amen.

 

Blessings,

nnDnn Archdeacon Ron Matthewman, Vicar General Emeritus

OSMTH – SMOTJ