Prayer for the Churches in Camden

[cjbanning]

I led the "Standing in Solidarity" segment at Circle of Hope Camden tonight. Below the cut is the presentation as I prepared it (which differed in a couple of respects from the one as I presented it). About half the sentences are taken from various parts of the BCP, but I wrote the other half and am the one who pieced it all together.

Tonight we continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Camden by looking to its churches. In a community like Camden, with so much urban poverty, the Church has a special call, for the hope and light it can offer are often all the more sorely needed. So too is there an increased demand for the corporal works of mercy which it is called, by Christ's example, to provide.

Let us pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, you sent your child Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the enormity of Divine Love to the city of Camden. We thank you that in Camden communities of love, like this one we find ourselves in tonight, have been gathered together by their, and our, prayers and labors, and that in Camden and throughout the world your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever.

Eternal God, the heaven of heavens cannot contain you, much less the walls of temples made with hands. Graciously receive our thanks for these houses of prayer in the city of Camden, and accept the work of the hands of all your children, offered to your honor and glory. For everything in heaven and on Earth is yours, O LORD, and you are exalted as head over all.

We thank you, LORD, for each and every church in Camden, including this congregation. We give thanks for the fellowship of those who have worshiped in them, and we pray that all who may seek you there may find you, and be filled with your joy and peace. May these churches stand as beacons of light, truth, and hope in Camden, fortification against evil, and provide sanctuary to those in need. Fill them with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where there is corruption in your houses, send purification; where there is error, direction; where there is want, provision; and where there is division, reunion.

Bless especially your ministers in Camden, LORD. Bless their lips and their hands and their hearts, as they provide the spiritual and the physical nourishment needed to fill the hearts and stomachs of the people of Camden.

Inspire their--and our--witness to your child, our Savior Jesus Christ, that all may know the power of Christ's forgiveness and the hope of Christ's resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.