The Church of Scotland is supporting calls for a National Day of Prayer and Action on 22 March, which is also Mothering Sunday.
Rt Rev Colin Sinclair is joining the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and other church leaders to issue a national call to prayer.
The Moderator said:
“There are many different ways the Church can and should offer support and help to their communities at this time, but one way is through prayer. We believe in a God who hears and answers prayer.
“We are encouraged to come honestly in prayer, sharing openly our emotions, questions and concerns in the light of COVID 19.
“We have become aware in a new way of our frailty and need to renew our dependence on God. I welcome this call to prayer across the UK and encourage you to join in it this Sunday wherever you are.”
Light a candle
The call to prayer asks everyone to light a candle at 7pm on Sunday as ‘a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.’
Church leaders are seeking to quell fears and remind us of God’s presence and love. They write:
“At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly Father and the future that he holds.”
Pray for leaders
“We have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are, individually and corporately, for healing in our nation. We would pray for all in leadership at this time, making decisions about the containment of the COVID-19 virus, for those working in health and social care, and especially for the most vulnerable, whether elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
“There are already stories being told of wonderful acts of kindness across neighbourhoods. Alongside your prayers, take the opportunity to telephone or email someone who is isolated, buy some additional food for your local foodbank, offer to deliver shopping for an elderly neighbour. We may not be able to touch physically, but we can make connections in so many other ways.
“At 7pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.
Mothering Sunday
“We note that this call to prayer and action comes on Mothering Sunday: a time of thankfulness, remembering especially mothers that have served us, often in very costly ways. It is also a very mixed day for many.
“For some the remembrance is painful, and for others Mothering Sunday is a reminder of disappointment or loss. In many ways, this period under the shadow of the coronavirus will be prompting similarly diverse reactions and so it seems especially appropriate that the call to prayer is made this Sunday.
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7.
Scottish-Church-Leaders-Forum-Statement-19th-March-2020-4
More info on the Church of Scotland Website here
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: SUNDAY 22 ND MARCH
On behalf of the churches that we serve across Scotland, we warmly commend
the Call to a National Day of Prayer*, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic,
and invite people of faith across our nation, to join in prayerful solidarity with
this witness.
The invitation is to light a candle** at 7pm this Sunday, 22 nd March, in the
window of our homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, the
source of hope in this life.
We offer a prayer to use when lighting your candle:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being,
Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
* https://www.cte.org.uk/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=569010
www.cte.org.uk/calltoprayer
**Safety Note: Please take all necessary fire precautions when using a lit
candle. Ensure you remain with the lit candle at all times, and do not leave it to
burn if you leave the room. Ensure there are no fabrics or materials such as
curtains near the candle. If you are able to use a small electric ‘candle’ instead,
that will be safe to leave unattended.
Signatories include the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Free Church, the United Reformed Church, the Baptist Union of Scotland, the Methodist Church, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Congregational Federation in Scotland, the Salvation Army, the Church of the Nazarene, and Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Taking place on Sunday 22 March, people of faith are being encouraged to light a candle and place it in their window at 7pm.*
The letter asks that we “join in prayerful solidarity with this witness”, describing the candle as “a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, the source of hope in this life.”
The following prayer can be used when lighting the candle:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being, Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
The signatories of the letter are:
Rt. Rev. Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland.
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church.
Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church.
Rev. John Fulton, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland.
Rev. Dr David Pickering, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland.
Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Ms. Adwoa Bittle, Clerk to General Meeting for Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev. May-Kane Logan, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland.
Rev. Jim Ritchie, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene.
Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army.
* Please take all necessary fire precautions when using a lit candle. Ensure you remain with the lit candle at all times, and do not leave it to burn if you leave the room. Ensure there are no fabrics or materials such as curtains near the candle.
Bankfoot Church Centre 