Anglican Communion Secretary General calls for prayers for Sudan
Episcopal News Service. January 3, 2011 [010311-05]
As Sudan approaches the Jan. 9 referendum on independence, the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, is encouraging prayers for the war-torn country.
In a pre-Christmas message, Kearon offered suggested prayers and background material "which may help you to identify with Christians in Sudan at this time."
The full message is available on the Anglican Communion News Service here. The suggested prayers are included below.
In the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has called for a "Season of Prayer for Sudan," with details and resouces available here.
Lord Jesus, you who said to us; "I leave you peace. My peace I give you." Look upon us your sisters and brothers in Sudan as we face this moment of referendum. Send us your Spirit to guide us. Give us the wisdom we need to choose our future where we will know your true peace. You call us out of slavery, oppression, and persecution so that we may have life in abundance. Grant us peace with one another. Give peace among ethnic groups. Help us to work together for the good of all. We ask this in your name, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted from a prayer by Bishop Desmond Tutu, being used in Sudan for the 101 days of prayer before the referendum)
God our Father,
whose son Jesus Christ wept over your people who knew not the way of peace,
and were as sheep without a shepherd,
hear our prayer for the people of the Sudan.
Turn the hearts of their leaders to reconciliation and peace.
Bless their Archbishop and clergy, that they may be true shepherds of your flock.
Strengthen those who heal the wounded and feed the hungry.
Hasten the time when all nations will own your just and gentle rule and receive your gift of peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(Prayer for Sudan used in churches of Salisbury Diocese, England)
Let us encourage our hearts in the hope of God
who once breathed the breath of life into the human body.
His ears are open to prayers; the Creator of humankind is watching;
He reigns from his high place, seeing the souls of those who die.
Turn your ears to us: upon whom else can we call? Is it not you alone, O God? Let us be branches of your Son.
(Mary Alueel Garang, Episcopalian of the Diocese of Bor, Sudan)
Let us give thanks to the Lord in the day of devastation,
and in the day of contentment.
Jesus has bound the world round with the pure light of the
word of his Father
When we beseech the Lord and unite our hearts and have hope,
then the demons have no power
God has not forgotten us
Evil is departing and holiness is advancing,
these are the things that shake the earth.
(Mary Alueel Garang, Episcopalian of the Diocese of Bor, Sudan)