Moderator calls for prayer as radical action continues
Published on 16 September 2019 2 minutes read
As the Church of Scotland continues its work on the agreed Radical Action Plan voted for by this year's General Assembly, including the recent appointment of the new Chief Officer, Rt Rev Colin Sinclair calls on Kirk members to join in prayer using an upcoming series of weekly prayers written by people from across the Church and its partners.
The Moderator called on congregations in every community to "come together" in prayer and reflection, noting that the 2019 General Assembly asked for prayer after accepting a set of radical proposals which will reshape the Church of Scotland at every level over the coming years.
Commissioners made their decisions recognising that that the Church cannot stand still when the world around us has changed dramatically and fewer people in our country share our faith.
In order to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ more effectively, all of us must embrace radical change.
To help us on our way we will need courage, collaboration, generosity and prayer.
To support the work underway in local churches, presbyteries and in the central offices, a series of prayers will be posted on our website and shared across the Church of Scotland from mid-September to December.
Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said:
"These prayers can be used personally, in Church gatherings of varied sizes or built into Sunday worship.
"This helpful resource can act as a catalyst to encourage us not just to talk about praying but actually to pray.
"Can I encourage you to look out for these prayers, to use them and the other prayer resources that are already available on the website?"
Retreat, rest and reflection to allow space for God to change us
The 2001 report, entitled A Church Without Walls, stated that: ‘It is difficult to change direction. The old routines, requirements and habits are instinctive. We often need to stop, stand back and reflect before we can reset our priorities.'
The report went on to recommend that the leadership in every area of Church life institute the discipline of a period of retreat, rest and reflection to allow space for God to change us.
This year's agreed Radical Action Plan mirrored that emphasis on prayer saying: "We are a people of faith, rooted in prayer. We are not called to be busier: we are called to be faithful in our efforts to follow Jesus."
Prayers from people across the Church of Scotland and our partners will be posted each week, between 23 September until late November through news stories and on the Prayer section of our website.
The first prayer will come from Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, on Monday 23 September.
This is the time to pray.