Churches in Scotland join together in prayer at 7pm this Easter Sunday

For the third week running, and this time coinciding with Easter Sunday, thousands of people across Scotland will be answering the call to pray at the same time in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Thirteen Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, are taking part in the joint prayer.

Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said:

"Sunday at 7pm has become increasingly a valued time for Christians as they pause to pray, conscious that many others will be sharing the same prayer at the same time.

"It helps create a sense of community when we are isolated through lockdown."

Churches Together in England will also be praying each Sunday at 7pm and will be using the hashtag #prayersofhope to share the message on social media.

The churches have issued a letter with this week's prayer that reads:

"As we anticipate Easter Sunday, we are deeply conscious that we are approaching the moment in time which is the source of the resurrection hope of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"With all God's people, we shall hear it announced on Easter Sunday morning: ‘The Lord is risen!' and our response will be: ‘He is risen indeed!'

"Alongside this, we are deeply conscious that our society is facing a challenge whose depth and scale we are only truly beginning to comprehend.

"The challenge that the disciples faced on the first Easter Sunday was to comprehend the significance of the resurrection of our Lord, and thereafter to bear witness to that in the world of their day.

"Our calling is to do the same, by bearing witness through acts of love and compassion."

A Gaelic version of the statement and the prayer can be found here.

A prayer for Easter Sunday

Lord, it feels as if we've been walking in the Good Friday shadow of the cross;

feeling disorientated, concerned and filled with heartache;

praying for healing for those poorly,
whether government leader or more personally known;
and comfort for those bereaved;

expressing thanks for the selfless dedication of NHS staff,
those delivering social care,
and everyone ensuring that essential services and supplies are maintained,
in company with those who volunteer.

Lord, as we journey on,
help us now to embrace the dawning Easter joy of the cross;

encountering,
like the first disciples,
the transforming wonder of Christ's resurrection;

accepting,
like the first disciples,
that it may take time to comprehend the reality of Easter;

reflecting new life through words and deeds.
Hear us, and journey with us,
in the name of the risen Christ.
Amen.

The statement and prayer is signed by:

• Rt. Rev. Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
• Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
• Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
• Rev. John Fulton, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
• Rev. Dr David Pickering, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
• Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
• Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
• Rev. May-Kane Logan, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
• Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
• Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
• Rev. Jim Ritchie, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
• Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
• Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)