A bit of a different column this month – consisting of prayers to use for the Church of England (and other Anglican groups) in your devotional times.
(1). A prayer for gospel ministers by J. C. Ryle, first Bishop of Liverpool: ‘Pray that we may be kept humble and sensible of our own weakness, and ever mindful that in the Lord alone can we be strong. Pray that we may have wisdom to take the right step, to do the right thing in the right way, and to do nothing to cause the gospel to be blamed. Pray, above all, that we may go straight on, even unto the end – that we may never lose our first love, and go back from first principles; that it may never be said of us, that we are not the people we once were, but that we may go on consistently and faithfully, die in harness, and finish our course with joy, and the ministry which we have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.’ Amen.
(2). A prayer from Church Society publicised last year, and first published in the 19th century. I have updated the language somewhat and abbreviated it for space reasons: ‘Almighty God, hear, we beseech you, the prayer of your servants on behalf of our reformed Church, which in your good providence has been established in this land. Look upon it now, O God, in your mercy, and bring to nought all the evils, with which it is threatened. Deliver it from all false doctrine, heresy and schism, purify its worship; and preserve it from bondage to human ordinances.
‘Give to its Bishops the spirit of power, and of love, and a sound mind; that they may know what things they ought to do and may have grace and power faithfully to do them. Grant that clergy may remember their solemn promise to teach out of the Scriptures, and enlighten them with true knowledge and understanding of your Word, that they may be good ministers of Christ. Grant also to all, both Clergy and Laity who love the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel and supported by the assurance that the Lord reigns, and will in his own time vindicate his sovereignty, and glorify himself on the earth. Amen.’
(3). A prayer from Scotty Smith of the Gospel Coalition, also condensed: ‘Dear Lord Jesus, You know my failures, foolishness, and faithlessness; and yet you totally accept me. When I confess my sins, I don’t inform you of anything you don’t already know. In fact, I’m probably aware of only three or four per cent of my actual sins. It’s absolutely overwhelming to be this known, this accepted, and this loved.
‘But here comes the challenging part, Jesus. As you’ve accepted us, you’re calling us to accept others. I’ll need all the grace you promise to love like that, for there are certain people I struggle to accept, or even stay in the same room with them. Jesus, I need a bigger gospel heart and more gospel wisdom if I’m going to make headway in this calling. Please help me show kindness without compromising my convictions. Teach me the difference between essential and non-essential matters. Show me the difference between acceptance and acquiescence. Free me from the limitations of my perspective, the ingrownness of my theological tribe, and the insecurities of my comfort zone. Liberate me from insincere niceness and my penchant for rightness. Amen.’
