THE COMPANIONS

Every month Companions receive a small booklet in the mail, the Intercession Paper. Day by day, we turn its pages, praying with our Companions. The prayers concern needs big and small, thanksgivings, and the aims of the Society. Each day of the week has a theme.

In this monthly feature of our blog, we select some prayers from this month’s IP, as it is called. If you’re so inclined, please join Companions in reaching out in love through prayer.

April Intercession Paper, Selected Prayers

ON THE COVER

As Jesus walked towards Jerusalem

his tomb was empty.

It was close as he rode over palms

on a borrowed donkey.

As Jesus taught, the tomb was empty;

dark and still as he shared bread and wine.

The tomb was ready, waiting, through his agony.

This rock held and beheld

the greatest of God’s glory.

Was there only silence? A deep breath drawn in?

A flash of light? A stone rolling away?

May I be still, empty, ready,

when God’s glory is revealed to be within me.

Teresa Gocha, SCHC

New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter

THANKSGIVING: SUNDAY AND EVERY DAY

Glorious God, we thank Thee for Springtime, each day like a verse of a psalm in this greening season, buoyant with bird song. Thy natural world, Lord, leaps beyond our ability to praise—with beauty echoing Thy beauty. May we, too, live brightly our spiritual calendar and mark Eastertide with affirmation that Christ is everywhere and all creation a splendoring of Resurrection joy.

Elizabeth Randall-Mills, SCHC 1961-1993

from A Collection of Prayers by Companions, 1984

MISSION IN GOD’S WORLD: MONDAY

As we seek to do your mission, dear Lord, be the wisdom when we are uncertain, be the inspiration when we are out of ideas, be the energy when we are weary, and be the forgiver when we get it wrong. In Jesus’s name we pray.

Cheryl Harrigan, SCHC

New Haven Chapter

UNITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE: TUESDAY

In the light of Your truth

may all differences dissolve.

In Your tender mercy let forgiveness grow

and spread.

In Your grace may life bloom.

By Your breath may love spring,

the love that binds us all together.

Latha Jebackumar, SCHC

India Chapter

SOCIAL JUSTICE: WEDNESDAY

Lord, may this beautiful world that you have given us find a way for us all to come together in peace and love. Help us to put aside violence and hatred and teach us to live side by side with all, whether rich or poor, where there is no distinction of race; We pray in your name.

Helen Forshaw, SCHC

Lehigh Valley Chapter

PEACE & RECONCILIATION: THURSDAY

Each morning I seek peace as I pray; that deep inner peace that unites me with God, that opens my heart to what I need to know; the peace that blocks out the constant, noisy chatter in my head. When I experience that peace my whole day goes better; I feel grounded and at one. Thank you, God, for your presence in those peace-filled moments. I feel truly blessed. May I share that peace with others as I walk through the day.

Jeanette Renouf, SCHC

Greater Arizona Chapter

GROWTH IN SPIRITUAL LIFE: FRIDAY

Three things I know that help me every day: G-d is always with me; G-d is as near to me as I am to G-d; and G-d is love, forever and always.

This passage from Romans 8:38-39 is one of my touchstones: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Susan Gillespie, SCHC

Chicago-Midwest Chapter

PRAYERS PERSONAL AND GENERAL: SATURDAY

All shall be well.

All manner of thing shall be well.

Another world is not only possible,

she is on her way.

On a quiet day

I can hear her breathing.

She is on her way.

All shall be well.

All manner of thing shall be well.

Ana Hernandez, SCHC, New York Chapter

Sending You Light, “All Shall Be Well/Another World”

text by Julian of Norwich and Arundhati Roy