October 21, 2018 – Time After Pentecost (Autumn)
The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber
click here to download a copy of the prayers
We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.
Anglican Bishops:
- Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
- Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
- Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
- Bishop John Privett, Diocese of Kootenay
- Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People
Roman Catholic Bishops:
- Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
- Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
- Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
- Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
- Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
Prayers for October 21, 2018 – Time After Pentecost (Autumn)
With the words “You call us into prayer with the seven directions,” HEAR US, LORD GOD
Calling upon the wisdom of indigenous peoples, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and people who are hungry and needy.
A moment of silence
Oh Great Spirit of the East, we celebrate birth and new beginnings. We look to you for each new day and think about birth–of babies, kittens, new seasons, different ways of doing things. Teach us the mysteries of beginnings.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit of the South, we seek to understand abundance, fertility, warmth, and the colourful extravagance of creation. Come to our hearts and feet, and lead us into the adventures of the South.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit of the West, we turn to you to understand dying. As the sun goes down each day, we remember deaths: of friends, generations, seasons, and old ways of doing things. Let the sunset remind us that, like the sun, we too shall arise in new life.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit of the North, we remember that life sometimes is harsh and cold. Not only do days grow cold, but others may turn cold towards us. Give us the strength of the buffalo, that we may stand in blizzards with our faces toward the north–without being blown down or overwhelmed.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit of Up, we look to all that soars, all that floats or flies above us, all that comes from on high to enlighten us. Give us visions, and let our minds walk among the stars and moon, and in the daylight of the sun.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit of Down, we thank you for our mother, the earth. Let us be humble and be simple–and never consider ourselves above all our relatives in creation. May we walk with respect until earth receives us sweetly to eternity.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit of In, we put our hands on our hearts, reminded of all the mysteries that lie within us. Teach us to guard the simple beauties and walk humbly with our God.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Oh Great Spirit, call us to continuing communion with our partner Anglican Church of Canada and their bishop in your region, the Roman Catholic Church and their bishop in your region and our own Bishop Greg. We pray for the congregations of our BC Synod: Oakridge in Vancouver and Pastor Dorothy Chu and Redeemer in Vancouver and Pastor Katrina Vigen.
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
O Great Spirit, help us to see in ourselves those who are hungry, who hurt, who have too much trial and too little blessing in their lives. Call out to us that we may recognize you within them. Hear our petitions for those whose names we say aloud or silently in our hearts.
(Include those listed in the bulletin for prayer)
You call us into prayer with the seven directions HEAR US, LORD GOD
Blessed be you, our God, our ruling Spirit, now and forever.
AMEN.
(Petitions adapted from Iroquois oral tradition, recorded by José Hobday)
