The Scottish Episcopal Church and other denominations join together in prayer on Sunday at 7pm, as they have done throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of those joining together in prayer, which appears below, will also light candles.

In a joint message, church leaders in Scotland said:

Today, there are many voices crying out to be heard. The voices are of those who suffer and who are broken, and of those who are isolated and alone. These voices are intermingled with many others that cry out, whether for good or ill, and seek to be heard. Truly, there are many voices crying out to be heard.

The Gospel of Mark records an occasion when Jesus heard a particular voice crying out to be heard. The voice was that of Bartimaeus who was determined to be heard even in the face of the crowd. The voice of Bartimaeus was raised in spite of the rebuke of those who told him to be quiet. As he is told to be quiet, he shouts all the more: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus hears his voice and calls him into his presence: “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus hears his voice and responds to the depth of his need: “Go…your faith has healed you.” (Mark 10: 46-52) From the depths of the crowd, Jesus hears our cry and wills to answer and to bring healing.

We pray:

Lord, hear us,
Graciously hear us,
As we turn to you and cry for mercy: Hear our voice today,
Even from the depths of the crowd, And answer our cry.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord, hear us,
Graciously hear us,
As we turn to you and cry for mercy: Hear the voice of those who suffer, Even in their brokenness,
And answer their cry.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord, hear us,
Graciously hear us,
As we turn to you and cry for mercy:
Hear the voice of the lonely,
Even from their place of isolation,
And draw them into the community of your people. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord, hear us,
Graciously hear us,
As we turn to you and cry for mercy:
Hear our voice today,
Even as you heard the cry of Bartimaeus,
And inspire in us faith and bring to us healing. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev. Ruth Turner, 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)
Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)