Hello GBC!
 
As summer fades, let our sunny joy remain!
 

Midweek Meditation: Old Prayers for Peace in the Body

As you know, I think it’s important to write thoughtful prayers and read old ones occasionally. I wanted to share a few prayers from church history that I believe are worthy or our meditation and of praying ourselves.


From The Book of Common Prayer
“O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord. So we may be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee.”
 
I know the “thees” and thous” sound formal, but don’t let them scare you. A little Shakespeare never hurt anyone, except Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth, and Othello, and Richard the III…and so on.
 
From A Divine Liturgy of St. Chrysostom
This great church father wrote prayers for his congregation to pray and even engage in verbal response. This may or may not have been written by him, but in its original form it actually appears as though a deacon prays it and the congregation responds.
 

Prayer:

“For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy Churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.”

Congregation Responds:

“Lord, have mercy.”


I want to note this one briefly. I think it’s fascinating and significant that after the prayer pleads for unity, the congregation responds with a plea for mercy. This prayer assumes that one may be a detriment to unity and a contributor to disunity, for which we require great mercy. For let us not forget, “These six things the Lord hates… a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Prov. 6:19).

Let's pray!

Ministry Prayer Requests

  • Pray that God would protect the hearts and minds of our people with his peace.
  • Pray for the spiritual interest and encouraged heart of our many recent visitors!
  • Pray for a renewed passion for true gospel living at GBC.

 

Ministry Reminders

  • Grace Bible Institute starts later in the month.
  • Our preaching and ministerial conference is also happening at the end of this month. If you know of a man who would benefit from it please let us know.
  • Always be checking your bulletins!

 

Reading Recommendations

 
In Christ,
Pastor Kyle