Prayers for the Referendum

Thursday September 11 2014

As Scotland stands on the brink of its biggest political decision in a generation, those who lead the Church of Scotland’s key committees offer their own prayers ahead of next month’s Referendum on Independence.

When you made me Lord,
you gave me the capacity to choose.
I live in a country, at a time in history
when I am given a vote.
Thank you for these privileges.
But sometimes I find choosing difficult.
To say ‘yes’ to one option,
means saying ‘no’ to the other.
It’s a huge responsibility,
and this one seems biggest of them all.
What if I change my mind?
What if I make a mistake?
The agony of indecision!
I feel like a flag in the wind.
I blow one way, then the other.
I ask for wisdom and direction.
Help me to choose well,
not just for me and my own
but for the whole nation.  AMEN.

Rev Neil Dougall,
Convener, Ministries Council

God of all nations,
we thank you not only for democracy but for the institutions of
government;
that we have an opportunity to make known our views about our nation's
future
and that there are many whose task is to put policy decisions into
practice.
We pray for those:
who police our streets and administer justice;
who care for health of mind and body;
who collect taxes and administer benefits;
who teach, or discover, research and write;
who advise, supervise, accredit and administer
in many government departments and agencies in Scotland and the United
Kingdom
whose lives may be affected by the referendum result.
We pray that you will give to them wisdom, patience, dedication,
resilience, integrity
and a deep desire to give their time and skills fully and generously
in the service of others; in the name of Jesus
who gave his life for all. Amen.

Rev Grant Barclay,
Convener, Council of Assembly


 
God be in our minds,and in our reflecting;
God be in our vision,and in our imagining;
God be in our gathering,and in our listening;
God be in our relationships,and in our discussing;
God be in our nation,and in our deciding.
 
 
Rev Alison McDonald
Convener, Ecumenical Relations Committee

Lord of the nations
we pray for our land.
We give thanks
for all we love about Scotland
as a place,
and as a people
drawn from different nations and backgrounds
with different stories to tell,
gifts to offer,
and experiences to share.
As we approach the Referendum
we pray for what is best for every part
and for every person,
not just this generation
but for generations unborn.
We pray whatever way the vote goes,
and whatever consequences follow,
that we will find a way
to work together
for the Christian good of Scotland
in the years ahead.
Amen

Rev Colin Sinclair
Convener Mission and Discipleship Council

God, wha hae aye been
and wha bides eftir the warld is nae mair,
for us, your bairns,
in this land o mountain an o flood,
noo is the day; noo the hour
when we maun decide :
maybe aye; maybe no –
this Scotland ; independent or in the union.
Rummlieguts; sweetie-wifies deave us
wi endless blether; tedisome haivers; argie-bargie.
Wheest!
Fae the deep howe o your hairt, O God,
spak  tae us your word o peace.
Let us see wi your ain een
a vision on your Scotland –
not small but biggit anew
on founds o justice; leal tae our Lord
an ettlin aye aifter the common-weal.
Guide us, o halie Speerit, tae tak tent
that as we pit oor cross,
it an the ruid o Christ may be as ain -
and so may the guid o awbody and the glory o your name
rise fae referendum result
and, semper reformanda,
we aa dwall for ever eftir in love thegither;
a nation aye your ain
till your kingdom come.
                                         Amen


Rev Janet Mathieson
Convener, Assembly Arrangements Committee

I am aware that life is full of choices
And this is a big one!
I am conscious of the responsibility placed on me
to choose what is best
not just for myself
but for my neighbours
and for generations yet to come.
And I am so thankful that I have a choice-
unlike so many people around the world.

Whatever the outcome
may we together become a people
guided by Wisdom
and Integrity
and motivated by Compassion
and a sense of Justice for all.

AMEN

Rev Iain Cunningham
Convener, World Mission Council

Lord, there are so many questions!
So many certainties
proclaimed in the face of uncertainty. Only You can lead us when the way ahead is shrouded in the mist of doubt.
We are impatient to have the answers -
Let us be content dealing with our ignorance.
We are swayed by claims and counter claims-
Let us trust in Your help to direct our choices.
We pray for reassurance about the best result-
Let us, instead, pray for courage to deal with the unknown. Let us not look to others to give us their truths
but have the patience to search for our own meanings Knowing that, whatever the future,
it is safe in Your hands

Kay Keith
National Convener Church of Scotland Guild


Well, what is it we’re supposed to do God – when we’re standing at a crossroads or a bend in the road that we can’t quite see round?
What are we supposed to do – when the door to tomorrow stands in front of us waiting for us to open it? Fingers wrapped around the handle, we just need to push a bit – but exactly what’s on the other side?
Well, you are God – you’re there and so wherever we walk, your journeying spirit walks with us.                      As we open the door on a new day, you’ll there to greet us.
May we greet each other on the other side of today with your same welcoming, loving, forgiving, fair and adventurous spirit. As we walk into tomorrow, hold us in your heart.

Rev Sally Foster-Fulton
Convener, Church and Society Council