The Scottish Episcopal Church is joining church groups across Scotland in asking Christians to join in prayer at 7pm on Sunday evenings.

Last Sunday, thousands of Christians across the country answered the call to pray at the same time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following positive feedback from last week’s prayer initiative, a further letter has been signed by 13 Christian organisations across Scotland. This week’s prayer is also available in both English and Gaelic.

The letter states: “We pray in solidarity with those across Britain and Ireland and in solidarity with those across the world who face the challenge that the Covid-19 pandemic brings.”

Churches Together In England will also be continuing to pray each Sunday at 7pm and will be using the #prayersofhope to share the message on social media.

Joint prayer from the denominations in Scotland

We turn to you, our Father, for we need your help.
Lord Jesus, as you have promised, be with us, whatever lies ahead,
Strengthen us, Holy Spirit, as we face this together.

We pray for our world and our country,
as coronavirus threatens our lives and our livelihood, leaving many in lockdown,
while key workers continue, despite the risk.

We pray for government leaders at Westminster and Holyrood,
responding to  medical and scientific advice,
making tough decisions for the wellbeing of all.

We pray for all who serve on the frontline in the NHS and in social care;
facing increasing numbers, overstretched resources
and distressing human need.

Bless those who are ill, those who are alone and afraid,
those exhausted looking after their family, those worried for the vulnerable,
those fearful for their finances, those shut in to their fears.

Thank you for those who have returned from retirement to help,
or joined the volunteer army.
Thank you for those working:
to manufacture needed resources,
to find a vaccine,
to keep in contact with the isolated,
to encourage others at this time. 

Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Give us faith, hope and love and hear our prayers,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The signatories of the letter are:

Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church.
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.
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)Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev May-Kane Logan, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland.
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.
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army.
Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)

Gairm go ùrnaigh: Latha na Sàbaid 29mh dhen Mhàrt, ùrnaigh aig 7f

As dèidh na freagairte bhrosnachail a fhuair Gairm gu Latha Nàiseanta Ùrnaigh air Latha na Sàbaid seo chaidh, tha sinn gur gairm gu ùrnaigh a-rìthist aig 7f air Latha na Sàbaid 29mh dhen Mhàrt, agus air gach Latha na Sàbaid anns na seachdainnean a tha romhainn.

Tha sinn ag ùrnaigh ann an dlùth-phàirteachas leis nan uile ann am Breatain agus Èirinn agus air feadh an t-saoghail a tha a’ strì ris na dùbhlanan a tha a’ tighinn leis an COVID-19.  ’S e seo ar n-ùrnaigh aig an àm seo:

Tha sinn a’ tighinn thugad, ar n-Athair, oir tha sinn feumach air do chobhair.
Mar a gheall thu, a Thighearna Ìosa, bi maille rinn, ge b’e dè  a tha romhainn.
Neartaich sinn, a Spioraid Naoimh, agus sinn uile ag obair an làimh a chèile ann an uair na h-àmhghair. 

Tha sinn ag ùrnaigh airson ar saoghail agus airson ar dùthcha,
anns na laithean seo far a bheil an coronabhìoras a’ bagairt air ar beathanan agus air ar beòshlainte, le mòran a’ fuireach san taigh,
agus luchd-obrach riatanach a’ cumail a’ dol, a dh’aindeoin a’ chunnairt.

Tha sinn ag ùrnaigh airson nan riaghaltasan ann an Westminster agus Taigh an Ròid,
agus iadsan ag èisteachd ri comhairle mheadaigeach agus shaidheansail,
a’ feuchainn ri co-dhùnaidhean doirbh a dhèanamh gus ar dìon uile.

Tha sinn ag ùrnaigh airson nan uile a tha ag obair anns an NHS agus ann an cùram sòisealta,
leis na h-aireamhan a tha a’ fulang a’ sìor mheudachadh, agus goireasan cho gann.

Beannaich nan uile a tha tinn, nan uile tha aonranach, nan uile a tha fo eagal.
Beannaich nan uile a tha claoidhte on a bhith a’ toirt an aire dhan teaghlach.
Beannaich na tha fo iomagain airson na tha so-leònta, na tha fo eagal air sgàth an cuid ionmhais, nan uile a tha glacte ann an eagal.  

Tha sinn a’ toirt taing dhut airson nan uile a tha a’ tighinn air ais o chluaineas airson cuideachadh no a tha an sàs gu saor-thoileach.
Tha sinn a’ toirt taing dhut airson nan uile a tha ag obair gus na goireasan riatanach a dhèanamh,
gus a’ bhanadach a lorg,
gus cumail an conaltradh leis na tha iomallach,
gus brosnachadh a thoirt do dhaoine eile aig an àm seo.

Dèan tròcair oirnn, a Thighearna.
Tabhair dhuinn creideamh, dòchas agus gràdh, agus cluinn ar n-ùrnaighean.

Na rudan seo uile tha sinn ag ùrnaigh nad ainm agus air do sgàth.  Amen.

Soidhnichte:

Am Fìor Urramach Mark Strange, Primus as leth Colaiste nan Easbaigean, Eaglais Easbaigeach na h-Alba
An Ceart Urramach Colin Sinclair, Moderàtor Àrd-Sheanadh Eaglais na h-Alba
Am Fìor Urramach Leo Cushley, Àrd-Easbaig Chill Rìmhinn agus Dùn Èideann
An t-Urramach John Fulton, Moderàtor, Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte na h-Alba
An t-Urramach David Pickering, Moderàtor, Eaglais Ath-Leasaichte Aonaichte  (Alba)
At-Urramach Martin Hodson, Àrd-Stiùiriche, Aonadh Baisteach na h-Alba
An t-Urramach Mark Slaney, Cathraiche Roinn-Dùthcha, Eaglais nam Methodach (Alba)
An t-Urramach May-Kane Logan, Cathraiche, Caidreachas Co-thionalach ann an Alba
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Rùnaire na h-Alba, Feachd na Slàinte
Adwao Bittle, Comann nan Caraidean (Cuagairean)
An t-Urramach Jim Ritchie, Àrd-Neach-Stiùiridh Roinn-Dùthcha, Eileanan Bhreatainn, Eaglais an Nàsaraich
Aoghaire Chris Gbenle, Aoghaire Roinn-Dùthcha, Mòr-Roinn na h-Alba, Eaglais Chrìosdal air Saoradh le Dia
Easbaig Francis Alao, Eaglais Dhè (Alba)/ Eaglaisean nam Mìon-shluagh ri chèile ann an Alba (MECTIS)