At 7pm on the 7th day of the 7th month of this year, Christians from across the island gathered at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, the Royal Chapel, to pray for the nation – to thank God for this island and to pray for our Government, all the people, and all our churches here ~ Christ’s body.
Welcomed by Rev Joanna Fisher, the Curate of St Johns, the gathering reflected on Scripture; held up before God the Island, Government, people and churches; made a commitment; and then processed to Tynwald Hill to share prayers and blessing.
An initiative of Churches Alive in Mann, Praying for the Nation had been prepared by Joanna Fisher with Jan Kirkham from St George’s Church in Douglas. It started with a reflection on God’s Word from the book of Isaiah:
… you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help and he will say ‘Here I am’.
Lighting of beacons
Leaders of all Christian groups and denominations then took a taper to light from the candle representing the light of Christ, before lighting one of the tea lights in a stand shaped like Tynwald Hill, each flame representing a part of the Christian community.
Prayers
Everyone present was invited to share a time of prayer at the three Prayer Stations
Prayer Station 1 ~ Prayers for the Island’s Government
Prayer Station 2 ~ Prayer for concerns across the Island
Prayer Station 3 ~ Prayer for empowerment and mission of Christians in all the Island’s churches
Prayer of Commitment
Then all made a prayer of commitment:
Lord, as you have taught us, we bow down before you in all humility, gentleness and patience,
supporting each other with love and seeking to keep the unity of the Spirit by the bonds of peace,
that we may become “one body and one spirit”, according to our common calling Christ.With one voice, celebrating our diversity,
we commit ourselves to working together
for reconciliation, peace and justice.Inspire our witness across this island and beyond,
that we might foster a culture of dialogue, and be bearers of light and hope
which your Gospel has implanted in us.Make us instruments of your peace,
so that our homes and communities, our parish, our churches and our Island
might respond more fully with the peace you long to bestow upon us.
Everyone then processed out of the Chapel to Tynwald Hill, walking into the evening sunshine, where prayers were offered in Manx, English, and many other languages, concluding with the National Anthem (first and last verses) and a blessing and dismissal.
