…lest we forget Observances around the World Different countries observe Holocaust Memorial Day on different days. Many countries have adopted 27 January, the date designated by the United Nations as International Holocaust Memorial Day. Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp, was liberated by Soviet troops on 27 January in 1945. The UK has adopted this date, […]
Sustaining God, we pray with urgency for the leaders of our species and those with concern for our common home. Give to those who make decisions a freedom from the burdens of a past which have pushed us to this cliff-edge. Give a dawning vision of your offer of healing greater than the blocked horizon […]
God, who in Jesus, broke down all barriers, between people of different races rich and poor, male and female, Jew and Gentile, between heaven and earth, we worship you. God, at this time of heavy responsibility, as decisions about future relationships with our neighbouring nations are being taken, we pray for our leaders: that they […]
While the reference to the Archer is masculine, it is easy to alter the text through omission and parallel word usage at the time of reading, informing the listeners of any changes. Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not […]
God, keeper of the atoms and stars, you made us collaborators in creation, but we have pilfered the secrets of ordered existence and justified their immoral use in the name of ‘security’ and ‘peace.’ We could say then that we didn’t know the consequences. Now we do know, but we are complacent and silent. Have […]
Confession and assurance God of love, you know us inside and out. With you there is no point in hiding or pretending. You invite us into your presence, and we come as we are. We confess that we often forget to listen for your voice. That moments of stillness are few. We hurry about with […]
Daily Prayer, by Shantideva, Buddhist sage 700 A.D., India Prayer performed each morning by His Holiness the Dalai Lama May I be a guard for those who need protection A guide for those on the path A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood May I be a lamp […]
Holy God We come to you as people who love and trust you. We come knowing that your love for the world includes all of us, regardless of our views and opinions. We thank you that we are loved as we are, and we are grateful that you love us too much to leave us […]
Note: this piece may be attached to a copyright; apologies if this is the case. We are still the people walking. We are still people in the dark, and the darkness looms large around us, beset as we are by fear, anxiety, brutality, violence, loss — a dozen alienations that we cannot manage. We are […]
Epiphany Evening When Mary was really cold, she gave an angry kick to the frankincense jar (flashy gift, but ultimately useless) and then she saw it – ‘Look what the magi really left us! I can start this fire with what fell behind the caravan’s two-toed feet. ‘Something ordinary is the only way to warm […]
