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 in both English and Gaelic, will also light candles.

In a joint message, church leaders in Scotland said:

“The Gospel of Mark compares and contrasts the offering of a ‘poor widow’ with that of those who give out of their riches. To the outward appearance, the ‘two small copper coins’ barely register in the coffers of the treasury, especially when compared to the offerings of others. In so doing, the Gospel invites us to see beyond the outward appearance and to understand that the offering of the ‘poor widow’ is the giving of ‘all she had’. Jesus sees beyond the outward appearance and sees the depth of the widow’s self-giving. (Mark 12: 41-44)

“In the week past and in the week to come, we have an unprecedented opportunity to compare and contrast as the richest and the poorest nations gather together. The representatives of each nation bring to the table their respective contributions and, in due course, there will be much discussion on the achievements of the gathering. All that is discussed and agreed takes place in the presence of God. The One who sees beyond the outward appearance and looks on the heart is the One who knows the needs of all peoples and of all Creation. We turn to the One who gives life to all.”

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we come into your presence,
See our hearts and the depths of who we are
And accept us as those who are made in your image.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we offer all that we are in your service,
Sift our hearts that we might know you
As we are known by you.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we hear the cry of those who journey in our midst,
Still our hearts that we might listen to their voice
And understand their concerns.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we welcome the gifts that others offer,
Speak to our hearts of the potential embodied in each person
And of our shared desire to care for Creation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord our God,
You are the One who looks on the heart
And sees the hidden depths of each person:
As we consider how majestic is your name in all the earth,
Strengthen our hearts and deepen our resolve
To address the challenges of our time and so bring glory to your name.
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)

Gairm gu Ùrnaigh: Latha na Sàbaid 7mh dhen t-Samhain 2021 Ùrnaigh aig 7f

A Thighearna ar Dia,
Is tusa an Tì a dh’aithneachas ar cridheachan,
agus is aithne dhut gach aon againn aig an ìre as doimhne:
Tha sinn a’ tighinn fa do chomhair,
ag ùrnaigh gum faic thu sinn aig an ìre as doimhne,
agus gun gabh thu rinn, oir rinn thu sinn nad ìomhaigh fhèin.
A Thighearna, na do thròcair,
èist ri ar n-ùrnaigh.

A Thighearna ar Dia,
Is tusa an Tì a dh’aithneachas ar cridheachan,
agus is aithne dhut gach aon againn aig an ìre as doimhne:
Tha sinn a’ tairgsinn dhut gach rud a tha annainn, a-chum do sheirbheis,
rannsaich ar cridheachan ach an aithnich dhuinn thu,
mar is aithne dhut sinn fhìn.
A Thighearna, na do thròcair,
èist ri ar n-ùrnaigh.

A Thighearna ar Dia,
Is tusa an Tì a dh’aithneachas ar cridheachan,
agus is aithne dhut gach aon againn aig an ìre as doimhne:
Nuair a chluinneas sinn gaoir na feadhna nar measg a tha a’ fulang,
deònaich gun èist sinn riutha gu gràdhach
agus gun toir sinn cuideachadh dhaibh ann an àm am feuma.
A Thighearna, na do thròcair,
èist ri ar n-ùrnaigh.

A Thighearna ar Dia,
Is tusa an Tì a dh’aithneachas ar cridheachan,
agus is aithne dhut gach aon againn aig an ìre as doimhne:
Nuair a chì sinn na tàlantan a tha aig càch,
deònaich gum faic sinn na comasan a thug thu do gach neach,
agus labhair rinn mu ar dleastanas agus ar miann an aire a thoirt air do Chruthachadh.
A Thighearna, na do thròcair,
èist ri ar n-ùrnaigh.

A Thighearna ar Dia,
Is tusa an Tì a dh’aithneachas ar cridheachan,
agus is aithne dhut gach aon againn aig an ìre as doimhne:
Nuair a smaoineachas sinn air glòir d’ ainme a lìonas gach uile thìr,
tog ar cridheachan, agus neartaich ar miann
dùbhlanan ar latha fhuasgladh,
a-chum glòir d’ ainme agus a-chum do chliù.
A Thighearna, na do thròcair,
èist ri ar n-ùrnaigh.

Soidhnichte:

Am Fìor Urramach Marcus Strange, Primus as leth Colaiste nan Easbaigean, Eaglais Easbaigeach na h-Alba
An Ceart Urramach Morair Uallas, Moderàtor Àrd-Sheanadh Eaglais na h-Alba
Am Fìor Urramach Leo Cushley, Àrd-Easbaig Chill Rìmhinn agus Dùn Èideann
An t-Urramach Oll. Daibhidh Miller, Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte na h-Alba
An t-Urramach Niall MacMhaoilein, Moderàtor, an Eaglais Shaor
An t-Urramach Pòl Whittle, Eaglais Ath-Leasaichte Aonaichte (Alba)
An t-Urramach Màrtainn Hodson, Àrd-Stiùiriche, Aonadh Baisteach na h-Alba
An t-Urramach Marcus Slaney, Cathraiche Roinn-Dùthcha, Eaglais nam Methodach (Alba)
An t-Urramach Tòmas R. Wilson, Cathraiche, Caidreachas Co-thionalach ann an Alba
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Rùnaire na h-Alba, Feachd na Slàinte
An t-Urramach Rut Nic an Tuairneir, Àrd-Neach-Stiùiridh Roinn-Dùthcha, Eileanan Bhreatainn, Eaglais an Nàsaraich
Adwao Bittle, Comann nan Caraidean (Cuagairean)
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 còmhla ann an Alba (MECTIS)
An t-Urramach Fred Drummond, Stiùiriche, Caidreachas Soisgeulach (Alba)