During the lockdown period, Green Christians had an online course ‘Radical Presence’ the sessions began and ended with prayers. These prayers are repro’d here.
Each session’s opening prayers were the same. The closing prayers varied slightly week to week according to the main topic and readings. The bold lines are to be said together. Italics generally give guidance. There is a ‘consolidated’ single version here.
Opening liturgy
Together with all in Christ, we wait
Come Holy Spirit; soak into our deepest being
We reflect together with all your people
Come Holy Spirit; breeze through our staleness
We will hear the scriptures together
Come Holy Spirit; fire up our imaginations for good
There follows a moment of quiet, and then Bible reading/s and reflection
Forms for the different sessions follow.
Jordan | Kairos | Flesh | Contagion | Womb | Tomb | Emmaus
“Jordan” (Threshold of Freedom) Session
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good
For the unemployed and less-employed, provoke the breaking out of
means to live well; Living God
change the world for good
Among households, young and old, well and infirm together in unfamiliar
life patterns, inspire wisdom, forbearance and joy; Living God
change the world for good.
Strengthen the prophetic voices and embolden the visionaries of
business as better than we’re used-to; Living God
change the world for good.
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
We desire courage of ourselves to wait and to face the future; Living
God
change the world for good
…Pause, holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
Full-lively God, we come to you sorrowing for our weaknesses and
unbelief.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
We have failed to live the new life of Christ.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
When we have laid others in the tomb of our unforgiveness.
Forgive them, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us God’s peace and forgiveness.
A moment for quiet reflection on our forgiveness.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’
He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Kairos: Moment of truth -Session 2
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good
Bring to life the hope-bearing ideas that lie dormant in this time of
formless void; Living God
change the world for good
In our world’s global community, in our world’s living systems,
strengthen ecological resilience; Living God
change the world for good.
Among those who are alone, intimate your loving presence; Living God
change the world for good.
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
In our needs and weakness in our provision and supply, Living God:
change the world for good.
… holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
Full-lively God, we come to you sorrowing for our weaknesses and
unbelief.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
We have sheltered in the deathly hollows away from the opportune
moments that bring life.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
Where we have held others in unforgiveness, withholding words of life.
Forgive them and us, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us the peace and forgiveness of
God.
A moment for quiet reflection on our forgiveness.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’ He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy
Spirit
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Flesh: The vulnerable body of Christ -session 3
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good
In your church, waiting indoors in viral fear and for love of neighbour,
grow generous, articulate and timely witness; Living God
change the world for good
Among the infected, the exposed and the vulnerable; call up strength
and healing, support and protection; Living God
change the world for good
Let those who speak for health of planet and people be heard above the
din of commerce and the roar of industry; Living God
change the world for good
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
In our needs and weakness in our provision and supply, Living God:
change the world for good.
… holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
God who shared our vulnerability, we are ashamed for our weaknesses
and unbelief.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
We have not well resisted the death-dealing systems of this present age,
and failed to enact ourselves in the life-giving lore of Christ.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
When we have entombed others in unforgiveness, withholding words of
life.
Forgive them, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us the peace and forgiveness of
God.
A moment for quiet reflection on our forgiveness.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’
He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Contagion: Curse or mercy? -Session 4
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good
Where there are people infected, exposed and vulnerable; mobilise
healing, support and protection; Living God
change the world for good
In deliberations of the powerful, amplify compassionate thinking and
wise discernment leading to courageous action; Living God
change the world for good.
Among essential workers, labouring with threat of illness, wrest for them
protection and continued provision; Living God
change the world for good.
For those whose home is not a place of safety, open up refuge and
security, Living God
change the world for good.
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
In our need and fearfulness, in our provision and comforting, Living
God:
change the world for good.
… holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
Comapssionate God, we come to you desperate for your mercy.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
We have shied away from living the peace of the risen Christ.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
Where we have enshrouded others and You in our spiritual distancing.
Forgive us, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us the peace and forgiveness of
God.
A moment for quiet reception of our forgiveness.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’ He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Womb” session 5.
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good
As we wait indoors, gestate new life for future response and present
ministry; Living God
change the world for good
For the unemployed and less-employed, break out the means to live
well; Living God
change the world for good.
Where young and old, well and infirm are held together in unfamiliar life
patterns, inspire wisdom, forbearance and joy; Living God
change the world for good
Nurture among us the treasures of confinement, birth business not as
usual but as you shall see it on earth as in heaven; Living God
change the world for good.
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
In our vulnerability and dependence, Living God:
change the world for good.
… holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
Full-lively God, we come to you for grace and mercy.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
We have railed against our confinements, so missing what you would
grow in us.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
When we have resisted giving grace, though expecting it for ourselves.
Forgive us, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us the peace and forgiveness of
God.
A moment for quiet reflection on our forgiveness.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’ He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tomb: awaiting resurrection -Session 6
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good.
When we come forth, unbind us and give us to our neighbours for
business not as usual but as you shall see it on earth as in heaven;
Living God
change the world for good.
Open us to the tears of the wider world, let them bring us to
compassionate service; Living God
change the world for good.
Wisen us to co-create fitting honours for those who have died and to
deepen capacity for collective lament; Living God
change the world for good.
Underline in hearts and minds the connections between this crisis and
the continued dying of the ecosystem; Living God
change the world for good.
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
In our seeming insufficiencies, in our finding provision, Living God:
change the world for good.
… holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
Full-lively God, we come to you sorrowing for our weaknesses and
unbelief.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
We have colluded with sin and death, and failed to step out into risen
life.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
Where we have been withholding from others mercy, grace and words
of life.
Forgive us, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us the peace and forgiveness of
God.
A moment for quiet reflection on our forgiveness.
Through our tears and our laughter, our fears and our hope; Living God
change the world for good.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’
He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Emmaus: distance and embrace -Session 7
We did not receive a spirit that makes us slaves to fear
By your Spirit, You hold us as your children
God of compassion and all comfort
We rest in your loving-kindness, O God
Hallowed be your name in the Beloved, by the Spirit
As in the beginning so now and forever. Amen.
We ask for God’s eternal-life-giving to be known in our world in this
between-the-moments time, saying: Living God
change the world for good
Foster discernment and provide the means to expose the false stories
that offer legitimacy to destructive practices and habits; Living God
change the world for good
Among all your people, warm the hearts of poets and fire up the zeal of
prophets to win minds and allegiances; Living God
change the world for good
Work healing into our atmosphere, seas and the living systems of the
world; Living God
change the world for good
Raise up solidarity, salve hurting minds and hearts and unseat the forces
arrayed against us; Living God
change the world for good.
Other biddings, out-loud or in heart-quiet, may be added here, ending
each:
Living God
change the world for good
In our our needs, be our provider, Living God:
change the world for good.
… holding before God our own needs …
O God, your unstinting providence sustains the world, our societies, our
living: Take care for us, and keep us ever mindful that our common weal
flows from each other’s toil and care. Amen.
Full-lively God, we come to you sorrowing for our weaknesses and
unbelief.
Recollection of what we need to confess.
Where we have embraced deathliness, and distanced the new life of the
risen Christ.
Merciful God, forgive us.
And restore us to life.
Where we have distanced others by unforgiveness withholding the
embrace of grace.
Forgive us, Merciful God
And restore us to life-giving.
Let us attend; Christ breathes upon us the peace and forgiveness of
God.
A moment for quiet reflection on our forgiveness.
Jesus comes to us and says, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.’
He breathes on us and says; ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’
….Pause to reflect on Christ’s presence and call before we return to
the rest of our lives.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God
Who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Book of Our Common Prayer 