November Prayer

Monday November 2 2020

A prayer for the season of Remembrance

Merciful God, there is much that we’d do well to forget - and yet with elephant-like qualities, we have mastered the art of remembering those moments when we felt ourselves to have been

mistreated
overlooked
slighted
wronged
disrespected

These causes of personal grievances burn within us, often lingering for years, and yet these are the very things you would have us dismiss lest they become malignant, blackening our hearts.Forgive us, Merciful God, when we refuse to let go - when we insist on carrying the past around with us, as a trophy cabinet of hurts.

Might we, instead, devote ourselves to remembering that which builds us up and which is helpful to us in navigating the choppy waters of the present day. And to that end, might we begin with the encouragement of the Psalmist to ‘Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.’

Loving Lord, there is no end to the good things that you have done for us. Especially in this season of Remembrance, we remind ourselves that you have been ‘our help in ages past, our shelter from the stormy blast.’ By the courage and sacrifice of so many, you carried us ‘through many a day of darkness, through many a scene of strife.’

This, we will remember.

And in our remembering, we will find ‘strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow’ - despite the darkness and brokenness of our world and, yes, in the face of the pandemic through which we are battling. For as we remember, we see the truth of your promise that, in Christ, you will ‘never leave us nor forsake us.’

You are faithful, O God. This we remember because we must not forget,

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly 2020/21.