Friends –
The vision of Redeemer Anglican Church is that we would be a people who Participate with Christ in the Redemption of All Things. That ‘all things’ includes ourselves… In Hebrews 10:14, the writer states that God has perfected for all time, those who are being sanctified. This means that though we have already been redeemed, we still await the fullness of our redemption – the completeness of Christ’s work in us. And throughout the scriptures, we’re called to participate in that work by the way that we live.
One of the ways we participate in the Lord’s redemptive work in our lives is by is by Sitting with Jesus in prayer. So, each week, we are going to make an effort to help you – even for a moment – sit with Jesus and saturate yourself in prayer. In the Book of Common Prayer there are prayers for each week of the liturgical year. They are beautiful prayers handed down by the saints who have gone before us. They are not always simple to read, but they are always rich in meaning. And so, I want to encourage you to take a minute or two (or 10 or 20) to sit with this prayer each week. Really think about what the prayer is saying about who God is and consider what is asking of the Lord.
If we would each sit with Jesus this way each week I believe a couple of things would happen. First, I believe these ancient prayers would become our prayers. They will become more and more meaningful as we embrace them as our own. Second, I believe that as we pray them ‘together’ our lives become more and more united in Christ and in one another. Finally, I believe they will teach us about ourselves and about our Lord and that the Lord will use these prayers to shape our hearts and our affections and draw us in line with Him. This is redemptive work for our souls. Don’t rush through them; sit with them. Let them soak into you and remain with you throughout your day and week.
I pray this will be a blessing to us all. Below is the prayer for Ash Wednesday:
grace and peace,
-Ford
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.”