materials and resources for praying every day in the ... · materials and resources for praying...

Materials and resources for prayingevery day in the Diocese of Gloucester

Lent 2016

Contents

Page

From the Bishop 2 Planning and Preparing 3 Using Streams in the Desert 4

An Order for Daily Prayer 7

The Psalm, Canticle and Collectfor the Days of the Week 8

Daily Provision 20

1

From Bishop Rachel

Lent is a time for personal growth in faith, discipleship and spirituality as we prepare to celebrate once again the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which stands at the heart of our faith and life together.

This Lent I am encouraging us all to renew our commitment to prayer and to link this to the vision process which will unfold across the Diocese later this year.

I am very grateful to the diocesan Worship, Prayer and Spirituality Group for compiling this Lent resource material, ‘Streams in the Desert’. It is very appropriate that it explores the place of water in the scriptures and in the Christian story as we discover yet more of what it means for us to trail our wet footprints of baptism among the people and places of our daily lives.

The material is based on the resources prepared in 2012 by Bishop Michael Perham and has been edited for 2016 by Julie Fay. The brief ‘thoughts for the day’ drawn out of the scripture readings have been provided by Rob Axford, Debbie Forman, John Paul Hoskins, Jan van der Lely, Janet Williams, Paul Williams and Rosie Woodall.

I hope you will seek creative ways of using this material on your own and with others; in homes, churches, places of work and leisure; and may you be inspired and encouraged as together we seek to deepen our life of prayer as members of the Body of Christ in this Diocese.

With thanks and prayers,

+Rachel

2

Planning and Preparing

1. Identify those who will commit themselves to share in this daily worship.

• It may include clergy and readers, but does not have to.• It may be the same group of people every day.• It may be different people on different days.• One person each day would be enough, but two would be

better, three better still and a larger group a blessing in itself.• See whether members of other churches might like to join you.• Publish the ‘rota’ if that is the way you have chosen to do it.

2. Identify the most convenient time.• It would be best if it were the same time every day• But it can be early morning, mid-morning, lunchtime, afternoon

or evening, whichever is most convenient.

3. Ensure people know about it.• A large poster outside the church is a start• When Lent comes, ringing the bell (if there is one) before

beginning each day would send a signal to the community.• Tell people about it in notices, magazines, etc.—try to make sure

it isn’t just church-people who know.• Make sure the publicity has a ‘Come and join us any day’

element to it.

4. Identify the part of the church you intend to use.• Can you make it a space where people are comfortable to pray?• Are there questions about heating (or overcoats!)?• Would any kind of focus help—lighted candle, open Bible, icon?

5. Discuss how to use the material provided (see below).• This will involve some work for the leader(s) so that they feel

confi dent.• These resources are self-contained, except you will additionally

need a Bible for the daily readings.3

Using Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert can be used in a variety of ways. It is designed to be fl exible. You could use it ‘straight through’—there is a complete ‘order’ for each day that, used refl ectively, would probably last about fi fteen minutes. But you could extend it, shorten it, redesign it, create something less structured, do your own thing and simply draw on the material as a resource. This way it can meet a variety of needs.

These are the elements in the order set out for each day:

The Opening PrayerThis does not vary, might be memorized, and needs to said slowly and refl ectively.

A PsalmPsalms—some verses, or all of each—are appointed for each day of the week. There are different ways of saying the Psalms—it could be together all the way through, or verses alternating between the leader and everybody else. There may be a parish custom about this. The important thing is to say the psalm slowly, quietly and refl ectively, probably seated. At the end it is usual to say the Gloria, except on Good Friday and Easter Eve. The psalm each day is chosen from among those provided for that day in the offi cial Church of England provision, so you are reading and praying it with the whole Church.

The Bible ReadingThe Bible Reading is from a specially devised lectionary, focusing on the water stories in the scriptures and with some engagement with baptism. In general, Old and New Testament weeks alternate.

Silence or Lectio DivinaThe reading should be followed by silence to refl ect on its meaning; or this could be an opportunity for some bible study together. One way would be a simple Lectio Divina approach:

• After the Bible Reading keep a time of silence.• Each say a word or phrase that has struck you in the passage.

4

• Perhaps read the passage again.• Keep a little more silence.• Each contribute a brief thought emerging from your refl ection

on the passage. Be ready to bring these refl ections into the Time of Prayer that follows a little later.

A Thought for the DayThese short refl ections on the day’s reading have been specially prepared and may resonate with your own refl ections on the passage. They should be read out loud with a pause following to think about them.

The CanticleThese are ‘Bible Songs’ (though the Saturday canticle comes from a later Christian tradition).They all pick up, to some extent, the water theme. Like the psalm they can be read in different ways as the group decides. At the end it is usual to say the Gloria, except on Good Friday.

A Time of PrayerThere are different ways of using this time. It may be a time of open prayer where everybody joins in or it may be left in the hands of a leader. Silence needs to be part of it. There is a particular subject for prayer each day. It would also be good to use the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for the worldwide Church, our partner dioceses and our own dioceses (www.gloucester.anglican.org/please-pray-for). The reading for the day, the Lectio Divina, or the thought for the day may also stimulate prayers. And the needs of the world and the concerns of that particular day should not be forgotten.

The Collect, the Lord’s Prayer and the EndingThis completes the time of prayer. The leader says the Collect for the day of the week and invites all to say the Lord’s Prayer together (the version used is up to you).

But remember, fl exibility is important. You can use the material in the way that suits you and your church community.

5

7

STREAMS IN THE DESERTAn Order for Daily Prayer in Lent 2016

in the Diocese of Gloucester

OPENING PRAYER

Leader O Lord, open our lips;All and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Leader O God, make speed to save us.All O Lord, make haste to help us.

All Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

THE PSALM FOR THE DAY See provision for the day of the week

THE BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY See daily provision

SILENCE OR LECTIO DIVINA

THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY See daily provision

THE CANTICLE FOR THE DAY See provision for the day of the week

A TIME OF PRAYERFor the world, the church, those in need, the concerns of the day andincluding the Intercession subject of the day (see daily provision) and the Diocesan Intercessions. Followed by:THE CONCLUDING COLLECT See provision for the day of the week

THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE ENDINGLeader Let us bless the Lord.All Thanks be to God.

The Psalm, Canticle and Collect for the day of the weekMONDAYPsalm 25.1–10

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust; • let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame, • but let the treacherous be shamed and frustrated.

3 Make me to know your ways, O Lord, • and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, • for you are the God of my salvation; for you have I hoped all the day long.

5 Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, • for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, • but think on me in your goodness, O Lord, according to your steadfast love.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; • therefore shall he teach sinners in the way.

8 He will guide the humble in doing right • and teach his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth • to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

10 For your name’s sake, O Lord, • be merciful to my sin, for it is great.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

8

CANTICLE: A Song of Deliverance

All the earth, shout and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One.

1 ‘Behold, God is my salvation; • I will trust and will not be afraid;

2 ‘For the Lord God is my strength and my song, • and has become my salvation.’

3 With joy you will draw water • from the wells of salvation.

4 On that day you will say, • ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;

5 ‘Make known his deeds among the nations, • proclaim that his name is exalted.

6 ‘Sing God’s praises, who has triumphed gloriously; • let this be known in all the world.

7 ‘Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion, • for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.’ Isaiah 12.2–6


All the earth, shout and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One.

COLLECT Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

9

TUESDAY

Psalm 61 O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath; • neither chasten me in your fi erce anger.

2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; • Lord, heal me, for my bones are racked.

3 My soul also shakes with terror; • how long, O Lord, how long?

4 Turn again, O Lord, and deliver my soul; • save me for your loving mercy’s sake.

5 For in death no one remembers you; • and who can give you thanks in the grave?

6 I am weary with my groaning; • every night I drench my pillow and fl ood my bed with my tears.

7 My eyes are wasted with grief • and worn away because of all my enemies.

8 Depart from me, all you that do evil, • for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The Lord has heard my supplication; • the Lord will receive my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be put to shame and confusion; • they shall suddenly turn back in their shame.


10

CANTICLE: A Song of the Wilderness

Lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings.

1 The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice, • the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

2 They shall see the glory of the Lord, • the majesty of our God.

3 Strengthen the weary hands, • and make fi rm the feeble knees.

4 Say to the anxious,‘Be strong, fear not, your God is coming with judgement, • coming with judgement to save you.’

5 Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, • and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6 Then shall the lame leap like a hart, • and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

7 For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, • and streams in the desert;

8 The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing, • with everlasting joy upon their heads

9 Joy and gladness shall be theirs, • and sorrow and sighing shall fl ee away. Isaiah 35.1,2b-4a,4c-6,10


Lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings.

COLLECT Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

11

WEDNESDAYPsalm 51.1–11

1 Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; • according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness • and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my faults • and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you only have I sinned • and done what is evil in your sight,

5 So that you are justifi ed in your sentence • and righteous in your judgement.

6 I have been wicked even from my birth, • a sinner when my mother conceived me.

7 Behold, you desire truth deep within me • and shall make me understand wisdom in the depths of my heart.

8 Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; • wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, • that the bones you have broken may rejoice.

10 Turn your face from my sins • and blot out all my misdeeds.

11 Make me a clean heart, O God, • and renew a right spirit within me.


1212

CANTICLE: A Song of the Heavenly City

By the river stood the tree of life, with healing for all the nations.

1 I saw no temple in the city, • for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

2 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, • for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

3 By its light the nations shall walk, • and the rulers of the earth shall bring their glory into it.

4 Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night; • they shall bring into it the glory and honour of the nations.

5 I saw the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, • fl owing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

6 And either side of the river stood the tree of life, yielding its fruit each month, • and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

7 The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there, and his servants shall worship him; • and they shall see his face and his name shall be on their foreheads.

Revelation 21.22–26; 22.1, 2b, d, 3b, 4

To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb • be blessing and honour and glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen.

By the river stood the tree of life, with healing for all the nations.

COLLECT

Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith with all those who have been baptized into your name: keep us faithful to our baptism, and so make us ready for that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

13

THURSDAYPsalm 42

1 As the deer longs for the water brooks, • so longs my soul for you, O God.

2 My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God; • when shall I come before the presence of God?

3 My tears have been my bread day and night, • while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’

4 Now when I think on these things, I pour out my soul: • how I went with the multitude and led the procession to the house of God,

5 With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, • among those who kept holy day.

6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, • and why are you so disquieted within me?

7 O put your trust in God; • for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

8 My soul is heavy within me; • therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from Hermon and the hill of Mizar

9 Deep calls to deep in the thunder of your waterfalls; • all your breakers and waves have gone over me.

10 The Lord will grant his loving-kindness in the daytime; • through the night his song will be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

11 I say to God my rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me, • and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresses me?’

12 As they crush my bones, my enemies mock me; • while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’

13 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, • and why are you so disquieted within me?

14

14 O put your trust in God; • for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.


CANTICLE: A Song of the New Creation I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

1 ‘I am the Lord, your Holy One, • the Creator of Israel, your King.’

2 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, • a path in the mighty waters,

3 ‘Remember not the former things, • nor consider the things of old.

4 ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; • now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

5 ‘I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, • to give drink to my chosen people,

6 ‘The people whom I formed for myself, • that they might declare my praise.’ Isaiah 43.15, 16, 18, 19, 20c, 21


I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

COLLECT

God of our pilgrimage, you have led us to the living water: refresh and sustain us as we go forward on our journey, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

15

16

FRIDAYPsalm 69.1–16

1 Save me, O God, • for the waters have come up, even to my neck.

2 I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold; • I have come into deep waters and the fl ood sweeps over me.

3 I have grown weary with crying; my throat is raw; • my eyes have failed from looking so long for my God.

4 Those who hate me without any cause • are more than the hairs of my head;

5 Those who would destroy me are mighty; • my enemies accuse me falsely: must I now give back what I never stole?

6 O God, you know my foolishness, • and my faults are not hidden from you.

7 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; • let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel.

8 For your sake have I suffered reproach; • shame has covered my face.

9 I have become a stranger to my kindred, • an alien to my mother’s children.

10 Zeal for your house has eaten me up; • the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.

11 I humbled myself with fasting, • but that was turned to my reproach.

12 I put on sackcloth also • and became a byword among them.

13 Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, • and the drunkards make songs about me.

17

14 But as for me, I make my prayer to you, O Lord; • at an acceptable time, O God.

15 Answer me, O God, in the abundance of your mercy • and with your sure salvation.

16 Draw me out of the mire, that I sink not; • let me be rescued from those who hate me and out of the deep waters.


CANTICLE: A Song of Ezekiel

The Spirit of God fi lls the whole world.

1 I will take you from the nations, • and gather you from all the countries.

2 I will sprinkle clean water upon you, • and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.

3 A new heart I will give you, • and put a new spirit within you,

4 And I will remove from your body the heart of stone • and give you a heart of fl esh.

5 You shall be my people, • and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36.24–26, 28b


The Spirit of God fi lls the whole world.

COLLECT

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but fi rst he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucifi ed: mercifully grant that, we walking in the way of the cross, may fi nd it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

18

SATURDAY

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, • a very present help in trouble;

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, • and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea;

3 Though the waters rage and swell, • and though the mountains quake at the towering seas.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, • the holy place of the dwelling of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; therefore shall she not be removed; • God shall help her at the break of day.

6 The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms are shaken, • but God utters his voice and the earth shall melt away.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; • the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

8 Come and behold the works of the Lord, • what destruction he has wrought upon the earth.

9 He makes wars to cease in all the world; • he shatters the bow and snaps the spear and burns the chariots in the fi re.

10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God; • I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.’

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; • the God of Jacob is our stronghold.


19

CANTICLE: A Song of Ephrem the Syrian

How wonderful your footsteps, walking on the waters! • You subdued the great sea beneath your feet.

1 Behold: Fire and Spirit in the womb that bore you: • Behold: Fire and Spirit in the river where you were baptized.

2 Fire and Spirit in our baptism: • In the Bread and the Cup, Fire and Holy Spirit.

3 In your Bread is hidden a Spirit not to be eaten, • In your Wine dwells a Fire not to be drunk.

4 Spirit in your Bread, Fire in your Wine, • A wonder set apart, yet received by our lips.

5 How wonderful your footsteps, walking on the waters! • You subdued the great sea beneath your feet.

6 Yet to a little stream you subjected your head, • Bending down to be baptized in it.

7 The stream was like John who performed the baptism in it, • In their smallness each an image of the other.

8 To the stream so little, to the servant so weak, • The Lord of them both subjected himself.

How wonderful your footsteps, walking on the waters! • You subdued the great sea beneath your feet.

COLLECT

Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through his merits, who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

20

ASH WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 12

Bible Reading Mark 1.1–14

Thought for the day

His baptism is a defi ning moment for Jesus, the Father calling him his beloved Son, surely a moment of joy. Yet the Spirit, and perhaps the event itself, drives him into the wilderness. Signifi cant moments in our lives can often leave us disorientated. It is sometimes then that we may draw closest to God.

Canticle Song of the Heavenly City page 13

Subject of intercession Our keeping of Lent

Concluding Collect Wednesday page 13

THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 14

Bible Reading Genesis 1.1–10

Thought for the day

Mention of water in only the second verse of the Bible alerts us to how basic it is for the existence of the planet and of individual lives. Before ever we refl ect on its religious signifi cance, we need to ask questions about how we use and conserve it in daily life and make it available to all who need it.

Canticle Song of the New Creation page 15

Subject of intercession The Lent Fast

Concluding Collect Thursday page 15

FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 16

Bible Reading Isaiah 43.1–7

Thought for the day

Water and river, fi re and fl ame, all have their dangers, but we are under God’s protection because, as God says, ‘You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you.’ It is an overwhelming assurance that should draw out of us both amazement and delight. Keep saying to yourself, ‘I am precious in God’s sight and honoured and God loves me.’

Canticle Song of Ezekiel page 17

Subject of intercession Those who are bereaved

Concluding Collect Friday page 17

SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 18

Bible Reading Isaiah 55.1–9

Thought for the day

If we know ourselves thirsty for the things of God, we may come expecting water, suffi cient for survival. But what we are given at no cost is not just water, but wine, milk and rich food. Is there no limit to the generosity of this hospitable God?

Canticle Song of Ephrem page 19

Subject of intercession Bishops, Synods and all who lead the Church

Concluding Collect Saturday page 19

21

MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 8


Thought for the day

Despite God’s great patience, human wickedness has become total and universal and God resolves to cleanse the earth. We never hear Noah’s response; we simply see his complete obedience, placing him among the great patriarchs of the Jewish faith. Are we so obedient to the call of God on our lives today?

Canticle Song of Deliverance page 9

Subject of intercession The leaders of the nations

Concluding Collect Monday page 9

TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 10


Thought for the day

Noah alone is righteous before God in his generation. He builds the ark exactly as instructed, and enters it with his family and the animals. Presumably he was mocked and ridiculed by his neighbours for his actions. Our faith can make us the object of scorn sometimes too—God grant us the courage and conviction of Noah.

Canticle Song of the Wilderness page 11

Subject of intercession The media

Concluding Collect Tuesday page 11

22

WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 12


Thought for the day

At God’s command, the Flood returns the world to chaos, as at the beginning of creation. Noah’s faith is tested again as he waits for God to act and to bring him and his family to a place of safety. Sometimes we too fi nd ourselves in situations where we have to depend on God completely.


Subject of intercession Issues of climate change and global warming



Psalm page 14


Thought for the day

‘God remembered Noah’ is the turning point—the waters begin to recede. Elsewhere in the Bible, God remembers Rachel (Genesis 30.22) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1.19) and they bear sons; and in Exodus 2.24, God remembers the Israelites in Egypt. We must remember that God works in his time, not ours, to fulfi l his promises.


Subject of intercession Areas of urban deprivation


23

FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 16

Bible Reading Genesis 8.20 – 9.7

Thought for the day

Once again humanity is instructed to be fruitful and multiply and fi ll the earth (but things are not quite as idyllic as at the fi rst creation). God has begun again, inaugurating a new era and a restored humanity. This new creation is echoed in our own baptism, as we are washed clean and renewed.


Subject of intercession Those with eating disorders



Psalm page 18


Thought for the day

God reaffi rms the covenant he made with Noah (Genesis 6.18), now a covenant with the whole future human race. The implication is that divine protection and blessing is conditional only on obedience to God. The rainbow is a reminder to all humankind of God’s mercy and grace—just as sure a promise for us today.


Subject of intercession The unity of the Church


24

MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 8

Bible Reading John 1.28–34

Thought for the day

The Spirit remained on Jesus when John had baptized him. The Spirit came as a permanent gift and John sees fi t to draw attention to that twice in this passage. It is not a fl eeting spiritual experience, uplifting and to be remembered with nostalgia: it is an ongoing, continuous, abiding, living presence. So it is with us.


Subject of intercession Those in the midst of famine or disaster


TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 10


Thought for the day

Being born from above; so must the Son of Man be lifted up; Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness; the wind comes and goes. So many types of movement here, nothing is static. In Baptism the symbolic movements are down and up—into the water and out—through death and burial into life.


Subject of intercession Emergency and rescue services


25

WEDNESDAY 24 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 12


Thought for the day

Living water means water in movement; a stream or source, water gushing up, bubbling, refreshing and lively. When water stops moving it loses this life and becomes stagnant. In Jesus’ words, living water takes on the sense of eternal life; life which is unstoppable, overfl owing, full, abundant, fresh.


Subject of intercession Refugees, asylum seekers and homeless people



Psalm page 14


Thought for the day

Displacement activities—even or especially theological debate—must give way to worship. True worship, which recognizes who is the Christ, who is the ‘I am’. The time for this is now; ‘The time … is now here; God is spirit; I am he.’


Subject of intercession Families with only one parent


26

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 16


Thought for the day

Again there is a focus on the present: the fi elds are ripe for harvesting already; look around you and see. Again the conversation proceeds on two levels: food, like water and like birth, takes on a deeper spiritual meaning. Again the place of testimony is shown: ‘behold the lamb of God’ becomes ‘come and see’.


Subject of intercession Addicts of drugs and alcohol



Psalm page 18


Thought for the day

On the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles, water was carried from the pool of Siloam and poured out in the Temple, remembering the water that fl owed from the rock struck by Moses. Jesus’ words also echo Isaiah 55. The Spirit within the community of the baptized fl ows as a river of living water.


Subject of intercession Countries in confl ict, refugees


27

MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY

Psalm page 8

Bible Reading Exodus 13.17 – 14.9

Thought for the day

God always goes before us by day and by night. But God does not always lead us by the most direct route. Sometimes it can appear as though we are lost in the desert, wandering aimlessly. Where is God trying to lead you at the moment? Why might he be taking you on a roundabout route to get there?


Subject of intercession Those who work in the medical or healing professions


TUESDAY 1 MARCH

Psalm page 10

Bible Reading Exodus 14.10–20

Thought for the day

It looked as though the Israelites had nowhere to turn. They were trapped between an army which threatened to destroy them, and the sea which was for them a place of deep and mysterious terror. But God is always able to improvise another option, intervening to save his people when all seems lost.


Subject of intercession Elderly people


28

WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH

Psalm page 12


Thought for the day

What had threatened to be the waters of chaos became for the Israelites solid dry ground. The enemy was overwhelmed, but God’s people passed through to salvation. Through the water they crossed from certain death to new life. Of course, this was not the fi rst time God had breathed his wind over the face of the sea …


Subject of intercession Fruitful harvests around the world


THURSDAY 3 MARCH

Psalm page 14


Thought for the day

Singing and dancing often seem to be followed by time in the wilderness. ‘I thirst’, the Israelites said to each other. Is there any signifi cance in the reference to three days? What about the piece of wood, a tree which turns the bitterness of death into sweetness and life? There, beside living waters, God makes a covenant with his people.


Subject of intercession Parliament, Local Government


FRIDAY 4 MARCH

Psalm page 16

Bible Reading Joshua 3.1–13

Thought for the day

The ark of the covenant went before the people as a reminder to them of God’s presence. God led them through an unfamiliar place, and the people followed—but they kept their distance, because they had not yet been made holy. It is only when God speaks his word of salvation to us that we are able to draw closer to the living God.


Subject of intercession Prisoners and captives


SATURDAY 5 MARCH

Psalm page 18

Bible Reading Joshua 3.14 – 4.7

Thought for the day

Through the waters of the Red Sea, God led his people out of slavery. Through the waters of the River Jordan, God led them out of the wilderness. Through the deep waters of death, God raised Jesus to new life. And through Jesus, from whom stream the living waters, God wants to lead all his children into fellowship with him for ever.


Subject of intercession The work of evangelism


MONDAY 7 MARCH

Psalm page 8

Bible Reading First letter of John 5.1–12

Thought for the day

Jesus was truly born of Mary, by ‘water and blood’. He brought to birth a new creation on the cross where blood and water fl owed from his side. Tradition has it that, at the Eucharist, water is mixed with wine and through the power of the Spirit it becomes for us the blood of Christ, and ‘Those who eat my fl esh and drink my blood have eternal life …’ John 6.54


Subject of intercession Those without work, and those whose work is dangerous


TUESDAY 8 MARCH

Psalm page 10


Thought for the day

Adam was created between divine hands, kneaded clay brought to life in the breath of God; so Jesus holds a man between tender hands, with clay and warm breath recreating him. Do you dare to stand where the blind man stood? To pray, feeling yourself turned in the hands of the living God, re-made, healed, and sent?


Subject of intercession The Armed Forces, the Police


WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH

Psalm page 12


Thought for the day

A baptism, a beloved Son acclaimed by his divine father. A washing, a blind son healed, owned by human parents. There is mystery here—how it happens, we do not know. But clarity too—when we see, we also shall be seen and known: whose children are we?


Subject of intercession All who work in the criminal justice system, victims of crime


THURSDAY 10 MARCH

Psalm page 14


Thought for the day

‘I was blind, but now I see’—‘but now that you say, “We see”, your guilt remains.’ Jesus calls us to see as one whose eyes are freshly opened, to look at his world with eyes innocent of power, unaccustomed to certainty. How shall you and I avoid the sight that makes us guilty?


Subject of intercession Aid agencies


FRIDAY 11 MARCH

Psalm page 16

Bible Reading Mark 10.35–45

Thought for the day

What is Jesus’ baptism, which his disciples share? The light of heaven, the voice of God declaring him Beloved—the beginning? Or the torment, cross and grave—the ending? Baptism—ours and his—is both our beginning and our whole lives’ fl ow. We sing hymns to Christ our King because we want to be crowned; we should want to serve, so that we might sing to Christ our Servant.


Subject of intercession Prisoners and captives


SATURDAY 12 MARCH

Psalm page 18

Bible Reading Matthew 28.16–20

Thought for the day

If we were to bring all the nations to the font, if they were all to be baptized, would we have fulfi lled the Lord’s command? Surely we will need to stand by them as the fl ood-tides of life rise, over and again helping them rise up out of the waters to hear God’s voice call them Beloved?


Subject of intercession Those who are recovering from natural disasters


33

MONDAY 14 MARCH

Psalm page 8

Bible Reading Acts 2.41–42

Thought for the dayIn our baptism we commit to one another, devoting ourselves to share the journey, making our churches places of proclamation and teaching, party and fellowship. We recognize Christ’s presence in the breaking of bread and we pray together. We must demonstrate that we are people of proclamation, party, presence and prayer, inviting others to join us as the baptized people of God.


Subject of intercession Family life


TUESDAY 15 MARCH

Psalm page 10


Thought for the dayPhilip guided the Ethiopian to understand the scriptures and brought him to faith and baptism. Thank God for those who have brought you to faith and guided you on your way. Can you be a guide for other people so that they too can come to baptism or renew their faith? Tradition has it that the Ethiopian went on to found the Church in Ethiopia: you never know the consequences of your actions!


Subject of intercession Schools, Colleges and Universities


WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH

Psalm page 12


Thought for the day

Scripture is clear that we are baptized into Christ. The gift of the Spirit is a consequence of that baptism. How sad it would be to be baptized and not know the gifts and fruits of the Spirit active in our own life and bringing life to others. Have you heard of the Holy Spirit?


Subject of intercession Rural communities


THURSDAY 17 MARCH

Psalm page 14

Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 12.4–13

Thought for the day

The Church is the body of Christ; therefore to be ‘baptized into the body’ speaks of a corporate relationship, one with another, when we are baptized. We cannot be a baptized Christian on our own; we are who we are in Christ because others are being who they are in Christ. Those ‘others’ often are, thank God, very different to us.


Subject of intercession The natural world and the resources of the earth


FRIDAY 18 MARCH

Psalm page 16

Bible Reading First Letter of Peter 3.17–22

Thought for the day

Is 1 Peter a letter or a sermon? Whatever it is, baptism is an important theme. In the face of suffering, the Christian is to remember that he or she is baptized into the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Sometimes we believe that we have sunk to the deepest depths, but, according to Peter, Jesus goes lower, fi nds us and brings us home.


Subject of intercession Those struggling with broken relationships


SATURDAY 19 MARCH (St Joseph of Nazareth)

Psalm page 18

Bible Reading Matthew 1.18–end

Thought for the day

What precious holy wisdom there is in one who can see the angel, can hear the promise of divine life in someone else. May each of us have the wisdom, courage and selfl essness of Joseph, to put our own interest in God aside, to protect and support another as Jesus comes to birth in them.


Subject of intercession The Holy Land, the Middle East and North Africa


36

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK 21 MARCH

Psalm page 8

Bible Reading Jonah 1

Thought for the day

Sometimes God asks of us the uncomfortable or the seemingly impossible and our immediate response is to escape or hide. We need to die to our own desires so that we can be reborn into the path of mercy and truth. To go with Jonah into the belly of the fi sh is to enter the tomb, the place both of death and of rebirth.


Subject of intercession Victims of abuse, violence and prejudice


TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 22 MARCH

Psalm page 10

Bible Reading Jonah 2

Thought for the day

Perhaps our biggest sin is to imagine we can manage on our own. To abandon ourselves to God is to allow ourselves to be drawn from the waters of drowning into the light of new day and to be accorded glimpses of his beauty and glory.


Subject of intercession Those looking for forgiveness


37

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 23 MARCH

Psalm page 12

Bible Reading Jonah 3 (or Jonah 3 and 4)

Thought for the day

The rebirthed Jonah walks in God’s ways of truth and mercy, and brings a people to know their need of God. It is when we know our need of God that we make it possible for his forgiveness to wash over us. Our loving Lord will never force himself upon us, but waits in longing for our invitation.


Subject of intercession All those who are lonely, those in despair


MAUNDY THURSDAY 24 MARCH

Psalm page 14


Thought for the day

As the water of Christ’s love fl ows over Peter’s feet, so the love of God washes over us, moulding and shaping us rather as the tide shapes and smooths the pebbles on the shore. Let us allow ourselves to be shaped by this gentle and vulnerable love.


Subject of intercession Readers, Deacons and Priests


38

GOOD FRIDAY 25 MARCH

Psalm page 16


Thought for the day

Blood and water will never stop fl owing from the side of Christ: the life of Christ to be our life, the water of life to sustain and refresh us on the journey and to enable us, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, to walk fearlessly in the light.


Subject of intercession Those close to death, palliative care


EASTER EVE, SATURDAY 26 MARCH

Psalm page 18

Bible Reading Romans 6.3–11

Thought for the day

Death and resurrection is the pattern of our calling as the baptized—dying to self, abandoning ourselves to God, washed in forgiveness, in love and in light and alive, alive with every fi bre of our God given being, alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let us live as the baptized, fully, fi zzingly alive!


Subject of intercession Those preparing for Baptism and Confi rmation


39

This booklet is based on original resources written by Bishop Michael Perham in 2012, and has been edited by the Diocesan Worship, Prayer and Spirituality Group for use in the Diocese of Gloucester during Lent 2016.

Material drawn from Common Worship is © The Archbishops’ Council.

Please download the pages which are freely available on the Diocesan Website, www.gloucester.anglican.org/ and print as many copies as you require.

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