Posted Thursday 27 November 2008
Leaders and Representatives of Scotland’s Churches are calling on church communities and all people in Scotland to celebrate St Andrew’s Day this year as a day of prayer and reflection, and to hold the principles of social justice and the difficulties facing the nation and world in our hearts and prayers in faith and hope before God.
This is supported by First Minister, Alex Salmond, who says “Our national day provides a great opportunity for all of Scotland’s people to reflect on the kind of society we are and where we aspire to be. At this time of global difficulties I welcome the call for St Andrew’s Day to be celebrated with prayer and reflection. This is something which can unite all of us in Scotland, whatever our beliefs, and I for one will certainly take part.”
Prayer for Scotland on St Andrew’s Day
Prayer for Scotland on St Andrew’s Day by Ken Lawson, Quiet Day for Scotland Task Group:
“God in all lands and cultures, on our national day we take time to reflect on the influences and the inspirations of our past. We think of Andrew our patron saint, who caught a vision, followed it and enabled others to see it. May we be women and men who follow our vision and enable the dreams of others.
“We are grateful for those in the past who have invested their strength and wisdom, their energy and commitment in the welfare of the people of Scotland and beyond - those who gave of themselves in working for freedom and justice for all; those who cared and sacrificed for the good of everyone; those who enabled our dreams and visions.
“Not only do we think of our past - we look to catch a glimpse of where you may be at work in and through our country today. We think prayerfully of those in power and those who feel powerless; of those in poverty and those in the place of plenty; of those whose ancestors lived here and of those have recently joined our national family; and of those who work to break down barriers, create peace and build a better Scotland. May we be inspired and challenged by them to follow our Christian vision in our personal, community and national life.
“God within us, between us and around us, help us as individuals and as a nation to show gratitude for what has been good in our past, goodwill in the present and hope with determination for the days ahead. May we follow in the footsteps of Andrew as he followed the vision of the Jesus whose advent we celebrate.”
Category: General
