麻豆约拍

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Bishop David Walker

Good Morning.

Although I come from the very specific tradition of the Church of England, and am deeply embedded in it, I host a regular meeting for religious leaders in Greater Manchester that brings together not only diverse Christian traditions, but also most of the major world faiths. We discovered that we have far more in common than divides us. Our various faiths provide a context for how to live well on this Earth, eschewing evil and working for the common good. Yet each faith and denomination, in its own particular way, sets that teaching in the context of eternity. Faith is both for this life and for beyond the grave. That too is part of what transcends our different traditions, though the details may vary.

Since the reign of Henry VIII our monarchs have carried the title "Defender of the Faith". Our own Queen has sought to embody that role, speaking from her personal Anglican beliefs, yet in words that have offered encouragement and hope to those of all faiths and beliefs. Today we give thanks for her embracement of that responsibility, and we pray that her faith may sustain both her and her family in this time of loss.

Eternal God,
You give us meaning and purpose both for this life and eternity.
We thank you for the faith traditions of your people,
Sustaining us in service and in hope,
As we remember the many ways the faith of our Queen has been an example to us.
We pray that the same faith sustain her and her family now in their time of sorrow,
And may the affairs of this nation and the Commonwealth ever be ordered in accordance with your will.

Amen.