The First week of April coincides with Holy Week, the week of preparation leading into Easter. For centuries the people of my Anglican tradition have prayed a sequence of short prayers (collects) for each day of Holy Week.
Taking time to grasp their particular perspective, and each request; you might like to join in praying the Easter Collects this week from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer (BCP, 1662) or An Australian Prayer Book (AAPB, 1978). We will begin our prayers on Palm Sunday and follow through to Good Friday.
Week 1
BCP, Sunday next before easter Almighty and everlasting God, in tender love towards mankind you sent your son, our saviour Jesus Christ, to take our nature upon him and to suffer death on the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: grant that we may follow the example of his suffering, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
AAPB, Monday before easter All-powerful God, by the suffering and death of your son, strengthen and protect us in our weakness. We ask this through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
AAPB, Tuesday before easter Father, may we receive your forgiveness and mercy as we celebrate the passion and death of the lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.
AAPB, Wednesday before easter Father, in your plan of salvation your son Jesus Christ accepted the cross and freed us from the power of the enemy. May we come to share the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
AAPB, Thursday before easter Father, by the power of the Holy spirit, you anointed your only son Messiah and lord of creation; and you have given us a share in his suffering and his kingdom. Help us to be faithful witnesses in the world to the salvation Christ won for all mankind. We ask this through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
BCP, Good Friday Almighty Father, look graciously upon this your family, for which our lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Week 2-4
While this Easter Season is perhaps the most significant for the Christian world, it is also an important time for the Muslim world as well. For the remainder of April, we are going pray particularly for Muslim people and Muslim nations, using the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim world resource. It’s quite straightforward. Just click on this link and follow the prayer points for the month. https://www.pray30days.org
Eugene Peterson, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”.
Since Eugene Peterson wrote this spiritual formation classic more than forty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Christians have been inspired by its call to deeper discipleship. Our society is still obsessed with quick fixes. But Peterson's time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same-a long obedience in the same direction.
