Morning Prayer - 29th September 2020

It was a great pleasure to lead Morning Prayer on the Facebook Page of St Augustine's College of Theology today - Michaelmas - The Feast of Michael and All Angels. Please join me by watching the video below. 

Prayers for the Feast of Michael & All Angels

St Michael's Victory over the Devil (Detail), Sir Jacob Epstein, 1958

Michael is regarded as the protector of Christians from the devil, particularly those at the hour of death. He is the patron saint of police officers. 

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 15

The Red Vineyards near Arles, Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 24th September 2020 (Trinity 15/Proper 20) based on the Epistle (Philippians 1.21-end) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 20.1-16.

Let us pray to Almighty God, that the mercy and justice of his Kingdom may be known throughout his church and the world.

Prayers for Today

The Leaves of the Trees by Peter Walker, Installation in Exeter Cathedral, 2020

Prayers selected for Morning Prayer at St Stephen Walbrook on Wednesday 23rd September 2020.

Start:Stop - Restored to his right mind

Two Women on the Shore, Edvard Munch, 1898

Hello and welcome to our Start:Stop reflection, my name is Phillip Dawson. We continue our journey through Gospel of Mark, using as our guide “Meeting God in Mark” by Rowan Williams. This week, we explore the dramatic story of Jesus’s first trip to Gentile territory. You can listen to an audio version of this reflection at this link.

BOOK REVIEW : Jonathan’s Loves, David’s Laments : Gay Theology, Musical Desires, and Historical Difference

The story of the relationship between David and Jonathan has been seen by some as an “obvious” point for gay men in particular and non heterosexual people more broadly, to relate to scripture. Jonathan's declaration of his love for David, their covenant together, the account of their kiss (which takes place after what some have interpreted as an erotic farewell scene with phallic symbolism, including the "shooting of arrows") followed by David's lament after Jonathan's death (in which he declares that Jonathan’s love for him surpassed that of a woman) perhaps just some of the more “obvious” inferences of a homoerotic relationship between the two. Many strongly disagree with any such suggestion - and some bible commentaries ignore the issue entirely.

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 14

The Forgiving Father by Frank Wesley (1923-2002)

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 17th September 2020 (Trinity 14/Proper 19) based on the Epistle (Romans 14.1-12) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 18.21-35 with words taken from the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation and the writings of Martin Luther King.

Let us pray for forgiveness in the church and the world; that we may be kind to one another and tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven us.

Morning Prayer - Holy Cross Day

It was a great privilege to lead Morning Prayer for the online community of St Augustine's College of Theology, where I am a student. One of our readings this morning tells the story of the Original Sin, in the Garden of Eden. I have come outside to film the service - our front garden is slightly Eden-esque with lots of palms and banana trees!

I am using the Common Worship order of service which you can access at this link. 

Psalms 2, 8 and 146
Genesis 3.1-15
John 12.27-36a

Please follow along by watching the video below.

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 13

Michael Edmonds The Cross Over The City, 1962

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 10th September 2020 (Trinity 13/Proper 18) based on the Epistle Reading (Romans 13.8-end) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 18.15-20.

Jesus said “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” 

 

As we gather together in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, which was created and redeemed in and through His love.

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 12

Graham Sutherland, Crucifixion, 1956

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 3rd September 2020 (Trinity 12/Proper 17) based on the Epistle Reading (Romans 12.9-end) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 16.21-end.

Jesus said “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Let us pray for all who carry the cross of Jesus and for the world he saved.