In a world in which it appears violence and terror reign
We praise you O God: we acclaim you as the Lord.
In a world of divisions, of fear and pain
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship and the Holy Spirit, our advocate and guide.
As we mourn the deaths of victims of violence everywhere, we turn to you, O Christ:
When you became incarnate to set us free: you humbly accepted the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death.
When we are not sure of the way ahead, of the words we should speak, of the next right action we should make:
Lord show us your love and mercy: for we put our trust in you.
Embolden us O God,
to proclaim you as sovereign
to follow Christ, crucified and risen,
to listen for the guiding of your Spirit, this day and always.
In you Lord is our hope: let us not be confounded at the last.
(The italicised words are excerpts from the translation of The Song of the Church in A New Zealand Prayer Book, a canticle which is part of the rhythm of daily prayer in many liturgical traditions)
Jemma Allen is a priest in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. She is a part-time member of the staff team in the parish of All Saints Howick, Auckland and is also a counsellor and spiritual director. She serves on the Board of Trustees of RevGalBlogPals.
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