The old prayer book may have its deficiencies, irritating verbal duplication, excessive emphasis on the misery of sinners etc but it accepts that in a fallen world there is much in everyday routine that is upsetting and, almost, intolerable. Its prayer ‘In the time if any common Plague or Sickness’ is clearly addressed to God in his oversight of the world, even in his direct intervention. If it pleases him, will he ‘withdraw from us this plague and grievous darkness’.
This is to grasp the nettle with a vengeance. To ask for specific alterations in our daily circumstances is make intercession a matter of transparency, is to make it vulnerable. Everyone can see whether it makes any difference. If things continue just the same, what is the point?
Much will depend on the way such intercession is framed. If it is equivalent to asking God to suspend the law of gravity or to halt the earth in its rotation, it clearly is making immoderate requests. We do not offer prayer in such terms. Neither do we expect our Creator to amend the activity of sub-atomic particles or shape-changing viruses. We continue to improve our understanding of these matters and we recognise that we live in a universe governed by law. And that law is something originating in the mind of a Maker.
With that in mind we can reasonably acknowledge that our Creator in his providence sustains his creation by means beyond our understanding, and that it is unlikely that our medical and scientific experts or political helmsmen know all the answers. Is there, then, anybody out there who can do anything about it?
As Christians we are driven to frame our prayers on the basis of our perceived understanding of the Creator. He is beneficent. He is beyond our conception. He is not capable of nonsense, such as making two plus two equal five. Somewhere in his ultimate purpose we have a small but meaningful place in his affections. As a child in its innocence trusts a wonderful father, a believer can trust – as in a glass darkly – a Creator who has majestic and unfathomable designs. In that context we can pray part of that BCP prayer: ‘Have pity upon us miserable sinners, who now are visited with great sickness and mortality’ It is a prayer that echoes down the ages. It is praying that makes sense. Our Creator loves us. He has a long-term interest in our well-being. We see the evidence for that in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
EPSOM CROSSES
Next Sunday worshippers at Christ Church, Epsom Common, Surrey are being invited to plant crosses (provided for them) in the outdoor chapel as they leave. Rosemary Donovan is Vicar of this Blomfield church with its interior pew-less and re-furnished with contemporary seating in the late 1990s. The parish has a new website and a stylish magazine.
If you have a comment on this post please send an email to Revd John King at johnc.king@talktalk.net Edited extracts may be published. To forward this to a friend click on the chain icon below.