"Forgetful of Past Ill Will" - Letter to My Congregation

 

The following is what I wrote and sent to my congregation this past week:

Many years ago, an Anglican churchman compiled a spiral booklet that has supplemental seasonal prayers that focus on missions, evangelism, service, and giving. It’s titled “Spend and Be Spent”. I doubt it’s still in print anywhere, but I have an old copy that I have used for about 15 years. 

The supplemental prayer for the First Sunday in Advent is drawn from an ancient 5th Century liturgy and is attached to passages from Romans 12: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (12:9-13). 

This supplemental prayer addresses God’s love, and how that should impact our interactions. I feel like this prayer is perfect for this time of year because Advent is all about God’s love displayed toward us in Christ. But it’s also fitting because in this Advent/Christmas season painful memories of wrongs done to us, or wrongs we’ve experienced, often surface. I’m sharing the prayer with you, modernizing the language a bit, because I have found it valuable to me, personally, and think some of you will as well.

 

O God of love, who through your Son has given us a new commandment that we should love one another even as you do love us: We beseech you to give us your servants, in each day of our life on earth, a mind forgetful of past ill will and a single heart to love our brethren; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 May this prayer enrich your hearts and make time shared with family and friends more wholesome, hopeful, and healthy.

 

Pastor Mike

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