A Postscript to VE Day: Bonhoeffer’s Creed

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed for his resistance to Hitler on 9 April 1945 in Flossenbürg Concentration Camp, only four weeks before VE Day. He wrote this creed days before his execution by the Gestapo:

I believe that God can and will generate good out of everything, even out of the worst evil. For that, he needs people who allow that everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.

I believe that God will give us in each state of emergency as much power of resistance as we need. But he will not give in advance, so that we do not rely on ourselves but on him alone. Through such faith all anxiety concerning the future should be overcome.

I believe that even our mistakes and failings are not in vain, and that it is not more difficult for God to cope with these as with our assumed good deeds.

I believe that God is not a timeless fate, but that he waits for and responds to honest prayers and responsible action. Amen.

(Flossenbürg Concentration Camp today: Walking into the light)

Praying Together

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PRAYING DAILY

 

Morning Prayer

Before you turn on the radio, television or check your messages, start with prayer.

You may already use Bible reading notes or the Bible in One Year – we encourage you to stick with it and make the time.

If you are looking for a resource to help you pray, we recommend Lectio365: It’s about 7-8 minutes each day, contains prayers, a Bible reading and a thought for the day. You can also listen to prayers from previous days and we recommend that you start on Monday, 23 March, as that week focuses the prayers on our current Coronavirus crisis. The advantage of using the same prayer format as other church members is that we can share thoughts about it and pray ‘together’.

If you’d like a short form of morning prayer that you can print out,  you can download a copy here…

Midday

Set an alarm on your wristwatch or your phone or put a daily appointment in your electronic calendar. Then, when the alarm goes, stop whatever you are doing and pray the Lord’s Prayer, together with thousands of other people around the world. (Incidentally it takes about 20 seconds to pray the Lord’s Prayer, so why not pray it every time you wash your hands?)

Saying Grace before meals

Use a set prayer or take it in turns to pray a short prayer of thanks. Click here for a collection of graces…

Evening

Join many other members of the Church of England in Common Worship evening prayer. You can find it online here… 

Before going to bed

Spend a moment to commit the burdens and joys of the day to God. Say sorry to God for anything that hasn’t gone well. Pray for a peaceful night. Download a short Common Worship Night Prayer…

Lectio 365 contains a short form of night-time prayer.

 

Sunday Worship

join us for Sunday worship online at 10.30am. The video is also available after the service.

 

The Well: Monthly Prayer Gathering

Join us on the second Monday of the month for our monthly prayer gathering…

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

#stay safe   #stay connected   #stay hopeful