Request from the Primate

Friends in Christ,

     At the risk of inundating you with prayer requests…. Here once again is the request from the Primates of the Anglican Communion for prayers on Lent 5.     It was originally meant to be an opportunity to pray, in humility, for the ways in which we need to repent for contributing to the pain of division in the Communion – in anticipation of joining together at Lambeth.   Even though we will not be at Lambeth this year – the call for repentance and prayer is still needed.

     With that call I have included prayer for the unity of the Communion and prayers for all affected by COVID19.    You can see the article in the Journal – with links to the Anglican Communion resources at:

 https://www.anglican.ca/news/a-national-call-to-prayer-on-lent-5/30025949/   

     I will be live on Facebook at 7 p.m. EDT Sunday, March 29th – for any that wish to join me.  

      With gratitude for your ministry of leadership and prayer

+Linda
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls
Archbishop and Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York call for a National Day of Prayer and Action in response to the corona virus pandemic.

We … call for a National Day of Prayer and Action this coming Mothering Sunday (22nd March) – light a candle at 7pm and put it in your window…

Why not say the Lord’s prayer – “Our Father who art in heaven ….” when you wash your hands. It takes more than the recommended 20 seconds.

We are good in this country at holding our nerve and steadying one another. But a pandemic is something else; you can’t touch the virus, see it or even know where it is. It may be spread by those who don’t even know they are infected. It is very serious for some, very mild for many. Nevertheless, the effect of the virus could drive us apart. To some extent it must do.

Continue reading “The Archbishops of Canterbury and York call for a National Day of Prayer and Action in response to the corona virus pandemic.”

Prayers for House of Bishops meeting

This is a request for special prayers during the House of Bishops meeting,  March 25-29. This meeting will begin preparations for the selection of a new Canadian Primate to replace Archbishop Fred Hiltz, who will be retiring at the General Synod in July.  We would like to ask AFP Diocesan Contacts to share the invitation to prayer with their parish reps and others in their dioceses.  A suitable prayer might be:

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, look on your Church with grace, and guide the minds of those who shall choose a Primate for our beloved Anglican Church of Canada, that we may receive a faithful servant who will care for your people and support us in our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Book of Alternative Services. P. 676) 

Please pray about the sudden death of Canon Robert Fead

Please pray for those impacted by the tragic news that the Reverend Canon Robert Fead, rector of St. Jude’s in Oakville, died on Monday, April 30, in a motor vehicle collision. Canon Fead was a gifted leader and colleague who served with distinction as a faithful servant of God.

Please pray for Rob’s wife, Veronica, and his mother, Pat; for his friends and family and colleagues; for the clergy and people of St. Jude’s, Oakville and for all the churches and military units where he served.

In a message to the clergy of the diocese, Bishop Bird and Bishop-elect Bell wrote: “rooted in the Easter season, may the hope of the Resurrection sustain us in this difficult time.”

Funeral arrangements will be posted as they become available.

OMG! The Priority of Prayer cancelled

With regret, the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Executive has had to cancel this year’s Consultation (OMG! The Priority of Prayer) in Winnipeg.
We feel that it was ultimately in the best interest of Diocesan and Parish Representatives, and all AFP members, and the work that you do in all of the regions, to re-examine what will be of greatest service to support the work that you do.
Thank you for your understanding

Registration form for the 2018 national consultation

Oh My God: Making Prayer a Priority

June 4-8, 2018 – St John’s College, Winnipeg.

What are you doing on the first week of June, 2018? Why not consider joining us at our national gathering where diocesan representatives and others interested in prayer, come together to consult, to encourage, to learn and to be inspired by their work. Continue reading “Registration form for the 2018 national consultation”

B.C. Anglicans among those displaced by wild fires

Friends:

I have had a chance to talk to Bishop Barbara Andrews in the Territory of the Peoples area of British Columbia. Her diocese sits in the heart of the raging forest fires. She has asked that AFP members offer particular prayers for Williams Lake as another lightning storm is heading their way. There are about 1000 people in her diocese and every one of them has been affected in some way. Many parishes are offering shelter to those displaced . Please remember all of their communities in your daily prayers.

Archdeacon A. Paul Feheley,

Principal Secretary to the Primate,
National Director of The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer

BC Anglicans among those displaced by wild fires – from the Anglican Journal

The Daily Office Evening Prayer for July 13

Prayers for Canada Day

From Stephen Reynolds Book For All the Saints

Canada Day 1 July Canada Day is a national holiday, not a feast of the Church; and yet it is right that we Christians offer prayer and thanksgiving today, because all the good things which we enjoy as Canadians have their origin as gifts of God. The resources of our land and the oceans which border it, our diversity as Canadian people, the heritage of Confederation and our nation’s continuing efforts to ensure peace and justice for all its citizens — all these things call the Church to remember and celebrate the God who gave them. At the same time, we as the people of the Church must accept an immense responsibility as citizens of Canada. We believe that divine grace seeks to fulfill what divine power has created. We are the servants of this saving purpose of God: we do not leave the concerns of Canadian society behind us when we enter our churches; we enter our churches in order to gain fresh strength for the work of making God’s justice, compassion, and wisdom ever more present in the life of our nation. On Canada Day, our task is to dedicate ourselves to the mission of bringing all our country’s resources — natural and human — within the circle of God’s redemptive love in Jesus Christ.

(From the Canadian Book of Alternate Services)

Collect Almighty God, whose wisdom and whose love are over all, accept the prayers we offer for our nation. Give integrity to its citizens and wisdom to those in authority, that harmony and justice may be secured in obedience to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

There are also two collects in our Book of Common Prayer

O GOD, who providest for thy people by thy power, and rulest over them in love: Vouchsafe so to bless thy servant our Queen, and her Government in this Dominion of Canada, that thy people may dwell in peace and safety, and thy Church serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, who didst lead the fathers of our nation into this land of Canada, and hast increased us by thy favour: Grant, we beseech thee, that we who now enter into their inheritance, may prove ourselves a people mindful of thy mercies and ready to do thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.