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Day2: Intercession for Scotland
“It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the house of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have saved.  I will make you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth”    Isaiah 49:6
 
Meditation
The prophet Isaiah exhorts us to do more than be a servant of God for our own sake but to reach out to others in our nation of Scotland and to be a living witness of faith.   Especially in this particular time when our country and indeed our world is reeling under the Covid19 pandemic, we are aware more than ever of the fragility of our humanity and our need for a Divine Saviour.  More than ever too, it is the love of Christ that impels us to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.
In his address to the congregation at Bellahouston in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said:
“At this Eucharistic celebration in which the Church in Scotland gathers round the altar in union with the successor of Peter, let us affirm our faith in Christ’s word and our hope, a hope that never disappoints, in his promises…Christ continues to send his disciples into the world in order to proclaim the coming of his Kingdom and to bring peace into the world, beginning house by house, family by family, town by town.  I have come as a herald of that peace to you, the spiritual children of St Andrew and to confirm you in the faith of St Peter”
 
As Pope Benedict reminded us of the inheritance of faith in our land he also warned us to be vigilant to the threats to faith and religion.
“Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility. Do not be afraid to take up this service to your brothers and sisters, and to the future of your beloved nation.”
 
Are we living out our call and mission as living witnesses to our faith and Christian charity and to the promotion of its wisdom and vision, not only for ourselves but for others and for our nation of Scotland?
 
Prayer
Lord, we offer to you all our politicians and leaders in our society.  May they be guided by your wisdom and vision for your people. 
We offer you all people of faith in our country.  May we too be guided by You to work together courageously for the promotion of justice and truth in our society.
We raise up to you divine healer, all who are ill or are suffering through sickness or bereavement at this time.
 

Daily prayers to the Holy Spirit

Synod prayer: 
God our Father, you sent your Son to show us how to live fully in the Spirit.  Be with our diocesan family while we walk together in the generation ahead; may we become a people of evangelisation  who will go out to seek those  who do not know you;  a whole people of clergy and laity who will take on our proper vocations in the Church and share responsibility for our vision and mission;  a discerning people who together will come to know Your will  and have the generosity to follow Your call. 
Help us to be a Holy People who live by prayer and faith our pilgrimage on earth.  Send the Holy Spirit to guide us; to keep us united in purpose and give us courage for this journey of faith.  Help us in our deliberations and discussion to be aware of Your presence, to listen to Your voice and to discern Your will for our diocese in the months and years to come.
Our Lady of Paisley, pray for us.  Saint Mirin, pray for us.
 
Prayer for guidance this day:
Father in heaven: Yours is a Spirit of truth and love.  Pour that same Holy Spirit into my body and mind and soul.  Preserve me this day from all illusion and false inspirations and reveal your presence and purposes to me in a way that I can understand. 
I thank you that you will do this while giving me the ability to respond through Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Amen
 
Prayers of reflection:
Help me to be aware of your promptings and inspirations you have given me today and to know whether I responded to them or not.
 
Father in heaven, help me to recall with gratitude those occasions when I was aware of your presence today and to savour again what you mean to me.
 
Final prayer of the day:
Thank you, Father for the gift of your Spirit.  Today it has urged me to see you more clearly; to love you more dearly; to follow you more nearly.  Forgive my failings and now bless me as I sleep, so that refreshed by your Spirit I may rise with joy to sing your praises, through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen.