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Call to Prayer 30 June 2024

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General Election 2024

On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.

We pray:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of heaven and earth
And of all things visible and invisible.
We turn to you in search of wisdom for our times
And the assurance that, in all things,
You remain sovereign and ruler over all.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

You are sovereign and ruler over all
And so, in the discerning of who might best govern our nation,
We turn to you once more.
Grant to us, and to all who seek your will,
A desire to see good governance established
In the interests of all who inhabit these lands.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

You are concerned for the interests of all
And you deny to no one the dignity and integrity
That belong to all who are made in your image.
Grant to us a concern for all who stand on the margins of society
And the courage to affirm their dignity and integrity
And so to stand in solidarity with them.

Lord, in your mercy,                 

Hear our prayer.

You stand in solidarity with us,
Even through Jesus Christ
Your Word made flesh who lived amongst us.
Grant to us the ongoing commitment to pray for, and to engage with,
Those who are elected to govern in our name
That we might see our society better reflect the Kingdom that is to come.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our pray

  • Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Colin Brown, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
  • Rev Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International

Call to Prayer: 23rd June 2024

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General Election 2024

On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.

We pray:

Lord our God, we give thanks to you
For your love endures for ever.
In the midst all that changes in this world,
May we hear your voice and know your presence.
Grant to us wisdom, that we might do what the Lord requires of us
And seek justice and mercy in our world, even as we walk humbly with our God.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord our God, you gift to us life
And the promise of life renewed.
We thank you for those who, in their daily work,
Seek to sustain the health of our nation.
May the renewal of the health of the people
Be to the fore in the considerations of those who seek to govern on our behalf.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord our God, you care for us
Even to the end of our days.
We thank you for those who, day by day,
Care for the most vulnerable in our society.
May the dignity of those who care, and of those who are cared for,
Be recognised and affirmed in the renewal of our society.

Lord, in your mercy,                 

Hear our prayer.

Lord our God, you are with us
Throughout all the days of our lives.
We share those days with all who are made in your image
And in the presence of the One who is the image of the invisible God.
Grant to us, and to all who seek the coming of your Kingdom,
A renewed desire to do what you require of us.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Signed:

  • Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Colin Brown, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
  • Rev Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International

Call to Prayer 16th June 2024

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On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.

We pray:

Lord our God, you are the maker of heaven and earth
And in your image we are shaped
That we might care for creation
And for all that you have made.
May a deepening concern for the world we share
Shape our vision for the future that is to come.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Your presence is revealed through Christ
In the midst of all the places where people dwell,
And so we pray for the welfare of the city
And for all who dwell in the cities and towns of our nation.
May their concerns be heard and understood
That our towns and cities might flourish and prosper in these days.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

You promise renewal by your Spirit
To all whose hearts are open to receive,
And so we pray for the renewal of our rural communities
And for the islands of our nation.
May the voice of the islanders be heard
And the contribution of the land to our well-being be embraced.

Lord, in your mercy,                 

Hear our prayer.

Lord our God, you see the people of our nation
And understand the heart of their concerns.
Grant to all who stand for office
A desire to understand and to share those concerns.
May our Parliament shape our nation for the good of all
And may we see our society renewed, through Christ and by your Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Signed:

  • Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Colin Brown, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London

Call to Prayer 9 June 2024

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General Election 2024

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On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.

We pray:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
You send forth your Spirit into all the earth
That we might know you
And your will for all creation.
Grant to us knowledge that your will might be done
In the times in which we live.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

You rule over the nations
And call them to account
That they might better reflect your purposes
And your desire for all humanity to flourish.
Grant to us a concern for all who share in the life of our nation
That together we might flourish and prosper and grow.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

You call us to hear again the ancient words,
Engraved in the Central Lobby of Parliament:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
The builders labour in vain.
Grant that these words may continue to inspire
And to offer counsel to those elected to office.

Lord, in your mercy,                 

Hear our prayer.

You call us to live
As citizens of the world that is to come
And so may we strive to see your Kingdom come
On earth as it is in heaven.
As good citizens, may we participate in our community
As you guide us so to do, through Christ and by your Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Signed:

  • Rt. Rev. Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Dr Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Rt. Rev. Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
  • Rev. Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International

Call to Prayer 2 June 2024

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General Election 2024

On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.

We recall, from the history of Scotland, the moment when King James VI was reminded that there are “two kingdoms”: a temporal kingdom in which he was King and a spiritual kingdom in which Christ is King. We as Christians in Scotland belong to “two kingdoms” and as such are called to participate in the shared life of the society in which we live, to seek the common good and promote a social order in which all can live together in peace.

As those who seek to follow Christ, we are called to see the image and likeness of God in each person, especially when we disagree deeply on matters which affect our common life. In an age where there is the temptation to amplify sensationalism, stimulate knee-jerk reactions, and create echo chambers, it may be that our most important contribution to public life is to model “good disagreement” in which respect and love are evident.

In closing, whilst recognising that the timing of the election and the new requirements on Voter ID may pose particular challenges, we urge all to exercise the privilege of casting a vote and, beyond the election, to pray that God will give wisdom, courage and vision to those who will assume the responsibility of government on behalf of the whole country.

We pray:

Gracious and merciful God,
Giver of life and creator of all that is:
We ask that you will hear us
As we pray for the life of our country at this time.
In all that we do, may we work for the good of our country
And of the Kingdom of your Son.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We are those who are made in your image
And we bear your image in common with all humanity.
You call us to reflect your image
And in the world in which we live:
May we treat each person with respect
And with the dignity that they are due.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

In your goodness and in your providence,
You seek to provide order and good governance in our world.
In our response, you call upon us to play our part
And to participate in our common life.
May we exercise our vote wisely
And do so having sought to listen to all who seek to govern on our behalf.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Gracious and merciful God,

We return to you with a renewed sense of our calling at this time:
The calling to pray for the life of our country
And to play our part in its common life.
Grant to us wisdom and insight that we might better play our part
And, in all that we do, to be shaped by the Kingdom that is to come.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Signed:

  • Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Andy Downie, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Raphael of Ilion, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain
  • Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
  • Rev Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International

New Year Prayer

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The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’ (John 1: 5)

As we reach the end of a year and turn towards the year that is to come, the dark shadow of Covid-19 still lies over us and the community of which we are a part.

There is no part of our society that has not been impacted and no part of our community that has not suffered.

We have endured much and struggled with the abiding uncertainty that still clouds our vision of the year ahead.

Nevertheless, no matter how abiding the uncertainty and the darkness of the shadow, the Gospel affirms that: ‘the darkness did not overcome it’.

The darkness has not overcome the ‘light that shines in the darkness’.

The Gospel affirmation is especially resonant at this time for it affirms that at no point is the light of the Word come from God consumed by darkness.

We know and affirm by faith that the ‘Word became flesh and lived among us’. (John 1: 14)

In the year that is to come, the light of God abides and no darkness will consume it.

We ask the One who is the light of the world to give us light that we may walk safely, even where darkness abides: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’

We pray:

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness:
We come as those who have dwelt in the shadows
And shared in the suffering and uncertainty of these times.
Abide with us and shed Your light amongst us
That we might know Your abiding presence.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness;
We come as those who have sought Your light
In the year that is now past.
We give thanks that You have led us safe thus far
And that You shall lead us home.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness:
We come as those who journey on towards the horizon
Where light shall surely break and the darkness be vanquished.
We pray for the bereaved and for the bereft
And ask that You would draw near to them in Your compassion.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Light of the World,
May You arise and shine even in the face of darkness:
We come as those who now step forth
Into the year that is to come.
We ask of You light for the days that lie ahead
And, once more, the knowledge of Your abiding presence.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

  • Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
  • Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)

Call to Prayer 21 November 2021

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‘So you are a king?’ We can picture the scene as Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate asks: ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’

In response, Jesus speaks of a kingdom ‘not from this world’ and ‘not from here’. Pilate, perhaps perplexed, asks: ‘So you are a king?’ (John 18: 33-37)

In the exchange between Pilate and Jesus, we sense the contrasting understandings of what a ‘king’ will be and what a ‘kingdom’ will look like. We can well imagine that Pilate had a clear understanding of what these were at that time.

However, when faced by a Jesus whose kingdom is ‘not from this world’, Pilate struggles to comprehend how he might be a ‘king’.

Nevertheless, in time, Pilate will crucify: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’. (John 19: 19)

The Jesus who is present before Pilate is a King whose Kingdom is to come and is already present in his life lived out in this world.

We respond in faith to the King who is present in our midst, crowned with thorns and robed in purple, and pray that the Kingdom will come…

We pray:

Lord, who reigns on high
And who is robed in majesty,
We see Your Son come amongst us
As a King whose kingdom is not from this world.
May we respond to His presence
With faith and trust as we pray for the kingdom that is to come.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord, who reigns on high
And who is robed in majesty,
We see Your Son come amongst us
As the One who very life is a sign of the kingdom.
May we recognise the signs of the kingdom in our midst
And live as those who await its coming with expectation.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord, who reigns on high
And who is robed in majesty,
We see Your Son come amongst us
As a King whose reign resembles not the rulers of this world.
May we follow in His way
And seek to live in the light of His coming kingdom.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord, who reigns on high
And who is robed in majesty,
We see Your Son come amongst us
As the bearer of truth and as the light of the world.
May Christ the King reign amongst His people
And His way be known to all who seek Him in spirit and in truth.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

  • Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
  • Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)

Call to Prayer 14 November 2021

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In a time of Remembrance, we turn to the One who offers ‘refuge and strength’ in time of trouble and whose presence stills the storm and calms our fears. (Psalm 46: 1)

Our faith is rooted in the remembrance of the Christ who laid ‘down His life for His friends’. (John 15: 13) In turn, it is rooted in our receiving the Good News of the Christ who ‘was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures’. (1 Corinthian 15: 4)

In turn again, we come by faith to understand the death of Christ in the light of the resurrection and so comprehend that it was for us and for our salvation that He gave His life.

In a time of loss, we find no human words adequate to express the depth of that loss and we often find ourselves seemingly detached from the onward rush of time.

In silence, and as memory casts its eye across the span of time, we hear the voice of the One who calls to us: ‘Be still, and know that I am God’.

We pray:

Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of remembrance.
Hear our cry as memory, and stories told,
Carry us to places of loss and sorrow.
Meet us in this time,
To still the storm and calm our fears.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of loss.
Hear our cry, though it seems long lost,
In the cruel winds that blow.
May the measure of our loss
Be the measure of Your grace.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of sorrow.
Hear our cry, and the cry of all who mourn,
As it gives voice to hidden grief.
May it rise from the depths of the earth
And be embraced in the heights of heaven.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Living God,
Our refuge and our strength,
Hear our cry in time of remembrance.
Hear our cry,
And still our hearts,
That we may we hear the voice that speaks:
Be still, and know that I am God.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

  • Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
  • Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)

Call to Prayer 7th November 2021

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The Gospel of Mark compares and contrasts the offering of a ‘poor widow’ with that of those who give out of their riches. To the outward appearance, the ‘two small copper coins’ barely register in the coffers of the treasury, especially when compared to the offerings of others.

In so doing, the Gospel invites us to see beyond the outward appearance and to understand that the offering of the ‘poor widow’ is the giving of ‘all she had’. Jesus sees beyond the outward appearance and sees the depth of the widow’s self-giving. (Mark 12: 41-44)

In the week past and in the week to come, we have an unprecedented opportunity to compare and contrast as the richest and the poorest nations gather together.

The representatives of each nation bring to the table their respective contributions and, in due course, there will be much discussion on the achievements of the gathering. All that is discussed and agreed takes place in the presence of God.

The One who sees beyond the outward appearance and looks on the heart is the One who knows the needs of all peoples and of all Creation. We turn to the One who gives life to all…

We pray:

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we come into Your presence,
See our hearts and the depths of who we are
And accept us as those who are made in Your image.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we offer all that we are in Your service,
Sift our hearts that we might know You
As we are known by You.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we hear the cry of those who journey in our midst,
Still our hearts that we might listen to their voice
And understand their concerns.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we welcome the gifts that others offer,
Speak to our hearts of the potential embodied in each person
And of our shared desire to care for Creation.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we consider how majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Strengthen our hearts and deepen our resolve
To address the challenges of our time and so bring glory to Your name.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

  • Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
  • Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)

Call to Prayer 31 October 2021

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As the people of God embark on a journey that will take them to the threshold of the promised land, they hear proclaimed the commandment: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’

These ancient words take us to the very heart of what it is to live in the presence of God, where life will flourish, in ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’, as the people of God hear and fulfil the commandment of God. In turn, successive generations will flourish as the commandment is received and embraced. (Deuteronomy 6: 1-9)

The generation of which we are a part has the responsibility of passing to those who come after us the commandment to love God with heart and soul and strength.

In similar fashion, we have a responsibility entrusted to us to pass on a land that will sustain the flourishing of human life.

As those so entrusted, we pray to the One God, who is ‘the Maker of heaven and earth’…

We pray:

Lord our God,
We turn to You as the maker of heaven and earth
And as the One who sustains all human life:
Hear us as we seek to love You
With heart and soul and strength.
Hear us and our prayer for all Creation.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We turn to You as the maker of heaven and earth
And as the One who sustains all human life:
Hear us as we behold the beauty of the gift of Creation
And give thanks to You for Your many blessings.
Hear us as we sense the fragility of Your gift at this time.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We turn to You as the maker of heaven and earth
And as the One who sustains all human life:
Hear the voices of those from North and South,
And East and West, who cry out on behalf of a fragile creation.
Hear the voice of all Your people and answer their cry.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We turn to You as the maker of heaven and earth
And as the One who sustains all human life:
Hear the voices of those who journey as pilgrims
And long to know a land flourishing with good gifts.
Hear our voices as we share the pilgrim way.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
We turn to You as the maker of heaven and earth
And as the One who sustains all human life:
Hear our prayer that the creation may be set free
And no longer bound to the bondage of decay.
Hear the voices of those who rejoice in anticipation of that day.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

  • Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
  • Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)