Prayer

During the Coronavirus Pandemic, we are called to prayer.

During the week of March 29th 2020 we invited guests to join us each evening, to lead our church family in prayer.

Monday, March 29, 2020

Tonight, we welcome, Elizabeth BW. I first met her many years ago, as a friend of Jane McGregor. Elizabeth BW is the minister at Glenburnie United Church, near Kingston, ON.

Elizabeth BW has been a member of our Lochwinnoch Church Facebook page since four years, and we welcome her contribution this evening. She and I share ideas at times. Thanks Elizabeth for your prayer with us tonight.

Sleep well, friends. Thank you to those who have sent prayer requests since yesterday, you are in my prayers.

Milton

Tuesday, March 30, 2020

Tonight we welcome as our prayer leader the Reverend Julie-Ann Morton. I first met Julie-Ann Morton when she came to Arnprior to serve as the minister of Elgin St.Baptist Church in 2009. Julie Ann has been an encouragement to me in my ministry. She has preached several times at Lochwinnoch Church. Thank you Julie Ann!

Loving God

As evening falls
News channels fade Fears, uncertainties and wants of the day have passed.
As I quiet my heart tonight I pray that you break my heart with the things that breaks yours and I stop to pray
​​As the number of deaths from Covid-19 rose again today
​​As the ways of this world seem to turn against your ways
​​As those who find themselves in abusive relationships, families or homes cry out to you.

For in the Holy Hush of this evening I am reminded of just how faithful you are. Steady me for tomorrow will soon be upon me. I come seeking your Holy Hush

​​A hush that stills my heart and mind in you
​​A hush that speaks through all of creation.

Lord may I rest in you tonight knowing that you are still on the throne.
May I rest in thoughts of a new day dawning,
​​​A new sunrise
​​​Cheerful morning song from the birds in the trees
​​​A sun just like the one that shone so brightly today​​​​​​​
Another day of finding creative ways to connect with family and friends
​​​​​
Tonight, may I hear your still small voice speak “hush my child hush” as the Psalmists words resonate with my spirit. I hear you Lord speaking to me.

Tonight, Lord I will be silent, and know that you are God! That you will be honoured by every nation. That you will be honoured throughout the world.” (Ps. 46:10 NLT)

Tonight Lord, may your Holy Hush drown out anything that it is not of you.
And in you I will be silent.
​​​​​​​​​​​
Amen.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Tonight, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Cameron Brett, to lead us in prayer. Cameron is the son of the late Rev Walter and Janet (McGregor) Brett. Rev Walter Brett was the minister at Lochwinnoch in the 1950’s. Cameron is cousin of the McGregors, his mother was Steve’s sister. Cameron has served the Presbyterian Church in Canada, in many ways, and lives with his wife Margie in Cape Breton. Thank you, Cameron for your prayer with us tonight.

When I was at St. Andrew’s in Toronto I held a short service of Morning Prayer every day Mon – Fri at 8:30. Sometimes there would be half a dozen or so folk on their way to work in the church. Sometimes there would only be me. Someone once me asked if I still went ahead with the service if no one showed up. I replied that there was never no one there and that actually I had the biggest congregation in the world every morning at 8:30 at the corner of King and Simcoe. It’s called The Communion of Saints!!

In this time of physical distancing it is comforting to know that even when we must pray apart we are all there, every sister and brother of Jesus who ever lived.

The following prayer is an adaptation of the one for Wednesday evening found in the American Presbyterian Book of Common Worship:Daily Prayer:

Grant us your peace, O God, in these strange and uncertain times, that we may always rejoice in your goodness to us and all your children, and be thankful for your love in Jesus.

Especially tonight we thank you for people whose lives reveal your grace and kindness, those who show hospitality, those who sacrifice their own wellbeing for our health and safety, those who bless and gladden us with their generosity and compassion.

Give us confidence in your care for us and all your children, dear God, as we remember the needs of others.

Especially we pray for relatives and friends who are far away, neighbours in special need, those who have fallen ill with covid-19 and who struggle with any sickness of body, mind or spirit, nurses and doctors and all who work day and night to make and keep us well. (

Here you may name in your hearts any of your own acquaintance and affection who are of special concern to you at this time.)

In this evening hour, loving God, come upon us with quietness and still our souls, that we may listen for the whisper of your Spirit and be attentive to your nearness in our dreams. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Another beautiful day, and I look forward to our evening time of prayer, and so grateful for our friends, who have led us in prayer this week.
Tonight we welcome, Rev. Dr. George Vais to lead us in prayer.
George’s Dad, was Rev. Christos G. Vais, of Athens, Greece, and appointed as minister of the Lochwinnoch Church in 1948. The Vais family spent two years in the manse. George has been with us on a few occasions, to lead worship, and to remember his years in Lochwinnoch.
George was my field education supervisor, during my studies at Knox College. His sons, Chris and Tom were studying for the ministry at the same time as me.
A PRAYER FOR THESE DAYS
Our help in ages past and our hope for years to come, during this time of unrest and uncertainty, we come to you for help.
We come to you because you are a caring God. If you care for a falling sparrow, surely you must care for us, now and always.
We come to you because –
· We are concerned about our children and grandchildren;
· We are concerned about our parents and grandparents;
· We are concerned about the people who are hurting;
· We are concerned about ourselves, not knowing what the next day will bring.
Let’s face it, we are like those disciples of Jesus, when their boat was filling up with water in the middle of the lake during a windstorm. Overcome with fear, we too, pray for faith and courage to cope with what we see on our television screens, and are confronted with in our communities, as this virus spreads like wildfire. We pray for healing, we pray for composure, we pray for peace that is far beyond human understanding.
Concerned as we are, we take time to thank you for doctors, nurses and scores of other caregivers, who are ministering to people in hospitals, in nursing homes, and to those with no homes. We are thankful for all those who risk their lives to take care of people in need.
We pray for a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
In the meantime….
May the love of God embrace us!
May the risen Christ stand beside us!
May the eternal Spirit surround us!
AMEN
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT DURING THESE DAYS…
“One of my favourite scenes in the Bible is in the Book of Exodus where Moses addresses a question to God: ‘What is your name?’ And Moses answers, ‘I am who I am!’ I came across this in a footnote in the Five Books of Moses, a superb translation of the Torah by Everett Fox. The great theologian, Martin Buber, has studied this passage for years in the Hebrew language. He came to the conclusion that we have been misunderstanding the words. The name of God, he says, is not ‘I am who I am’. The name of God is ‘I SHALL BE THERE.’ Isn’t that beautiful? The name of our God is ‘I SHALL BE THERE.’
From the moment of our baptism to the end of our days on earth, the name of our God is I SHALL BE THERE. When we face all the dangers and difficulties, all the hazards and hardships of life, the name of our God is I SHALL BE THERE. When we are lonely or afraid, and overwhelmed with worry and anxiety, the name of our God is I SHALL BE THERE. When we face sickness or sorrow, or heartbreak or heartache, or even death itself – the name of our God is I SHALL BE THERE. When our last breath leaves our body, and we are laid out in the grave, the name of our God is I SHALL BE THERE. And when the day of resurrection comes, with the sound of trumpets blaring, and a billion suns shimmering in a cloudless sky, the name of our God is I SHALL BE THERE. [For Words – A journal of hope and healing by Chris Vais p. 110-11]
Rev Milton and the Rev Dr. George Vais. Nov 4, 2018

Friday, April 3, 2020

Tonight a friend from NS, Audrey Cameron, leads in prayer. Audrey served as a Youth Worker in the Synod of the Atlantic provinces, and in a number of congregations.

For the past few years, Audrey has been teaching, and is involved in the family Blueberry Business. Audrey has joined us for worship the past few Sundays online. Welcome Audrey. The photo is Hannah and Audrey at Canada Youth 2013.

This week the novelty of isolation has changed to the reality of isolation. It has led me to think about the people who have known solitude to be their call and vocation. I have been nurtured through the years by their teachings. These days, they have been my encouragement to, instead of distracting me from the reality of this time, to enter into the time given to me, to the world to sit, to rest, to hear the voice of the Beloved.

From the prayers of Julian of Norwich ( 1343-1423), her prayer of Confidence

All shall be well And all shall be well And all manner of things shall be well. God of goodness, give us yourself, for you alone are enough for us. We cannot properly ask anything less, to be worthy of you. If we should ask for anything less, I should always be in want. In you alone do we have all. And in that confidence, we rest this night.

Amen

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Tonight we welcome to our prayer time, the Rev. Jeffrey Murray. Jeff grew up in White Lake, ON, and he is the son of Bill and Diane. Upon graduation from Knox College, Jeff and his wife Lindsay, have served in Sackville, NB, at St Andrew’s Church since Feb 2007. Jeff serves as the Chaplain at Sackville Fire and Rescue. He and Lindsay are parents to four children.

Praise be to you, O God, for this day that you have blessed us with.

As sun goes down on yet another day in this Lenten fast from our usual social engagements, we are still moved to count our blessings, for which we offer our joyful thanks.

Yet this time causes us to examine our lives… Mindful of the angst of this world, we lift up our prayers to you:

For the ones who suffer with illness and fear the outcome, we pray, offer healing and assurance.

For those who are dying and for family who cannot be present, we pray, be present and comfort.

For frontline workers and first responders who place themselves at risk for our sake, we pray, offer protection.

For those who struggle in this time of isolation, give strength and move us to reach out in ways that are possible.

For those whose isolation is brought on not by this pandemic, but by war and persecution, we pray for those who hide in fear, and for refugees fleeing from the contagions of violence and persecution.

We plead, grant them peace.

We offer to you these prayers and cast the burdens we bear into your care and keeping, that we might find rest this night and wake refreshed for service as your people;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.