THE COMPANIONS

JOIN US IN PRAYER

Companions receive a two-months’ version of the Intercession Paper for July and August, giving the editor a well-deserved break.

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

 

COVER

God of all gods, hear our prayer for peace.

Show us how to counter harshness with love.

Show us how to offer comfort where there is sadness.

Still our tongues and open our hearts

to understand the diverse,

And replace tolerance with love;

In the image of the one who died so that we

might have everlasting life.

 

Nikki Wood, SCHC

“God of all gods”

Philadelphia Chapter

 

 

THANKSGIVINGS: SUNDAY AND EVERY DAY

O God, we thank you for your love for all creation. We pray for our world, gripped by polarization, fear, and injustice.

May your peace come, your will be done.

 

Molly Lovelock, SCHC

Chicago-Midwest Chapter

 

MONDAY: SIMPLICITY OF LIFE

Holy One,

Help me to be grateful for simple things—

birdsong when I wake, the green of the earth in

springtime, family, valued time with a friend,

breathing in, the gift of your Spirit

surrounding me.

 

Teach me to simplify—

to whittle down possessions, to eliminate

needless worries and concerns.

 

Make me mindful of what is truly “needed.”

Help me to realize

all I really need is your presence in my life.

 

Treva McLaughlin, SCHC

Philadelphia Chapter

 

 

TUESDAY: UNITY OF ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Eternal, Creator, One, you who have created your people to be one, show us the way to know that oneness. We like our differences, our separateness, our cultures, races, and places in society; with our kind we feel safe and included. Teach us to risk seeing the Other as you do—beloved. For we who are so different are deeply alike, united in the

spirit of love.

 

Jean Barker, SCHC

Maine Chapter

 

WEDNESDAY: SOCIAL JUSTICE

Maker of all things, as I encounter people on the road, help me to remember the words of Philo of Alexandria: to be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

 

Laura Ricard, SCHC

Berkshire Chapter

 

THURSDAY: PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

My prayers and support, O Lord, are for the young peacemakers and healers who do the work I cannot do. Bless, increase, and fortify the work of Doctors without Borders, Amnesty International, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Center for the Victims of Torture, and all who lovingly carry your people on their backs and in their hearts.

 

Eileen Harakal, SCHC

Chicago-Midwest Chapter

 

 

FRIDAY: GROWTH IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

How do we sing the Lord’s song? Live into and out, God’s words. It is a beautiful song. Written for you and me. When we sing in harmony there is a sweet spirit that engulfs us to do justice, love God, our neighbor, ourselves, and all creation. Oh, to experience that outrageous joy.

 

Judy Conley, SCHC

Greater Arizona Chapter

 

SATURDAY: PRAYERS PERSONAL AND GENERAL

¿Buscarás y servirás a Cristo en toda persona, amando a tu prójimo como a ti mismo?

Lo haré, con la ayuda de Dios.

 

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

I will, with God’s help.

 

¿Lucharás por la justicia y la paz en el mundo y respetarás la dignidad de todo ser humano?

Lo haré, con la ayuda de Dios.

 

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

I will, with God’s help.

 

El Libro de Oración Común

The Book of Common Prayer

 

Art by Sam Haxtema, age 7

Photo by Lynn Adams