Moderator Leads Prayers for Harmony

Friday September 12 2014

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will this Sunday lead the nation in a prayer appealing for harmony, whatever the outcome of next Thursday’s independence referendum.

The Rt Rev John Chalmers will deliver his sermon live on BBC Radio Four’s Sunday Worship at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. He will say it is time for the people of Scotland to make their choice, but remember we must continue to live with each other once the result is known.

Quoting Elijah in the Book of Kings, the Moderator will say it is time for voters to come down from the fence no matter how difficult they may find it to make their choice. Mr Chalmers will tell the congregation, and those listening at home, to join him in making their own decision on Scotland’s 'Yes/No question' the subject of their prayers, just as all important life decisions should be decided upon.
 
The Moderator will say “It will be hard, because I’m one of those people who has spent a lifetime trying to see both sides of every argument, trying to work out complicated “middle ways” that keep as many people as possible content, but I’m not going to get away with that this week. On this issue like the people of Israel standing before Elijah I need to come off the fence.”
 
Reflecting upon St Paul’s prayer for harmony in Jesus Christ, he will say it is a prayer also for the nation. He will urge people to be part of shaping their future, always guided by love, knowing then that they have much less to fear even if the outcome does not reflect their choice. He will say that for people of faith, it should be enough to know that God will go with us into that future.
 
Speaking of the neutral voice the Church of Scotland has maintained throughout the referendum campaign, Mr Chalmers will praise the tremendous engagement in the referendum debate of the Church’s 400,000 members and the wider population. He will say: "The real success of next Thursday will be that, whatever the outcome, every voice will continue to play its part in shaping the kind of Scotland that people in Scotland vote for. We cannot afford to lose the momentum and interest in Scottish civic life which this campaign has generated."

Mr Chalmers will preach at a national service of reconciliation at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on Sunday September 21, which will be attended by leading figures from the Yes and No campaigns.

Post Tags: referendum

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