Worship Resources

Here are some resources that we feel speak particularly well of the Sri Lankan context.

From the 2009/2010 Ecumenical Lectionary published by the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka:

Two prayers for National Day, 4th February:

Almighty God, your wisdom and love are over all; accept the prayers we offer for our nation, lately devastated by violence and strife and now reunited as one nation.  Give integrity to its citizens and wisdom to those in authority, that harmony and justice may be secured in obedience to your will.  We also thank you for the peace achieved so far; through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Parent God, who made Sri Lanka so wondrously fair, pour your Holy Spirit on your Church, so that all the peoples of our land, being led through the knowledge of your truth may submit to the authority of your loving kindness, and worship you in the beauty of holiness. May they present the gold of intellect, the frankincense of devotion and the myrrh of discipline to the One who is the Light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and  the Holy Spirit, lives,  and reigns in the Unity of the Godhead. Amen.

                A Prayer for Peace

Oh God, the Creator of all humankind,

look with mercy upon our country,

and in your great goodness

give us the peace and justice

and unity we for.

Restrain those who plan evil,

and encourage those who work

for the common good.

Protect those who live in danger,

and those whose duty exposes them to harm.

Uphold those who suffer,

and strengthen those who are afraid.

Resettle those who are displaced,

and restore all those who pursue their cause by violence.

We thank you for all achievements so far,

in this journey of peace.

And temper, O Lord, the lifestyle of all people

with simplicity, courage, humility and love for the truth;

Through the One who gave up life for us,

Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A prayer from the closing service of the 2009 Conference of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka

Monday August 24th 2009. 

Give us, Lord God, a vision of our country

as your love would make it;

a country where the weak are protected,

and none go hungry or poor;

a country where the benefits of civilized life are shared,

and everyone can enjoy them;

a country where different races

and ethnic groups and cultures

live in tolerance and mutual respect;

a country where peace is built with justice,

and justice is guided by love.

Give us the inspiration

and courage to build it

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Two prayers for Sri Lanka used in TCL Chapel in February 2009 written by TCL students

Our loving Father and Mother God, God of all life, remember  Sri Lanka. Give your hands to all those who are suffering and affected by war and violence. Give your love and care to them. Gracious God, you listen to the cry of the refugees. God of Liberation you come down and dwell with your people and liberate them. To whom can they go? Dear God, you see the broken and the wounded and you say: “These are my people,” and it is for them that you came to proclaim liberty to the captives and to set the oppressed free.  O God, lead us from death to life, from hatred to love and from war to peace. God of life and hope, uplift those who are struggling and when their struggle seems so long, when the pain and dying become unbearable, Oh God,  be their hope.

God of peace, you surround us with your transforming power. You challenge us to a ministry of reconciliation. You trust us to be your channels of  peace. Grant us courage to take the first steps in the process of reconciliation. To you each person is uniquely valuable. To you every person is equally special. Therefore, O God, forgive us when we do not value human life sufficiently and that we allow our sisters and brothers  to be victimized and destroyed.

God of empathy and mercy, we make our confession to you and to all who are victims of our way of life: to the broken hearted the hopeless, the vulnerable and the oppressed. O God give us eyes to see with you beyond ethnicity and colour to dignity and identity. O God, give us courage to seek understanding and to be mediators for peace and liberation for all. We pray for justice in our land: for the participation of all in making decisions that shape our lives, and for  respect for every person, for all are  created in your image. Loving God,  we pray for peace that ends suffering, pain and brokenness.

Most merciful God we pray for those who are sorrowing and are full of pain within our TCL Community. We remember before you all our friends. God, give them your strength and hope and show them your compassion, and give your healing to those who are broken hearted and sorrowful and lonely.

Give us the ability to show your love to everyone so that we may be a true community of your people and we may work together with you for the renewal of your kingdom. We ask this through our Liberator, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sengan Saral Devadasan (Methodist student about to go to Jaffna Circuit from May 2009)

Let us open our hearts and allow God to speak to us and lead us to true repentance.

Christ was nailed to the cross not for the salvation of a particular ethnic group or religion or nationality or culture. Christ was crucified for the liberation and peace of all humanity and the whole of creation. Christ did not teach us to call upon God as our Heavenly Father of the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or Burghers,  but as Father of the whole human race.

 Let us open our eyes and look at our country.

Those killed are not Sinhalese, Tamils, Burghers or Muslims: they are all God’s children. The body of Christ is the whole of creation, including our country. Those blown to pieces by bombs are not Sinhalese or Muslims or Tamils:  they are the body of Christ.  

How can we be Cain in our day? Can we still ask the question: Lord, am I my brother’s and sister’s keeper? It is not only those who light a fire but also those who do nothing to extinguish it who are also responsible.

The times are here when God is asking us:   “I was hungry - what have you done for me?  I was oppressed - what did you do for me?” 

Arumukam Pavakaran  2^nd year Methodist Student.  Adapted from prayers produced by the Methodist Church Sri Lanka 2008

A Prayer from the Methodist Church

Lord God,

no-one is a stranger to you

and no-one is ever far from your loving care.

In your kindness, watch over refugees and victims of war,

those separated from their loved ones,

young people who are lost,

and those who have left home of who have run away from home.

Bring them back safely to the place where they long to be

and help us always to show your kindness

to strangers and to all in need.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

from Reach, the Journal of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka.

A Prayer from the Diocese of Colombo

God the source of all life,

Who has made Lanka a nation of diverse people

with manifold gifts

and converging histories;

Grant that

The fear in one will harness the protection of all,

The grievance of one will challenge the conscience of all,

The poverty of one will provoke justice in all,

The intimidation of one will instil courage in all,

The vulnerability of one will ensure the accountability of all,

The displacement of one will inspire the solidarity of all,

The silencing of one will awaken the voice of all,

The corruption of one will test the integrity of all,

The hatred in one will receive the healing of all,

The mistakes of one will generate the forgiveness of all.

Grant also that

The presence of one will reassure all,

The efforts of one will benefit all,

The identity of one will complete the identity of all,

The traditions of one will enrich all,

The spirituality of one will nourish the values of all,

The beliefs of one will liberate all,

The prayers of one will bless all,

And that the aspirations of one will include the destiny of all

made perfect under Your harmonious reign

of justice, reconciliation and peace.

Through Him who promised abundant life to one and all

even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Bishop of Colombo

A prayer from the British Methodist Church:

Creator God,

In every face we see your love reflected,

each person is made in your image,

marked by your love and precious to you.

You have made a world full of diversity,

where difference is beautiful and your Spirit moves.

Help us to live free from prejudice:

that which is used against us

and that which we bear against other people.

Help us to recognise the presence of Christ in each person.

In his name, we pray,

Amen.

Prayers from Page 19 of the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2007/08:

Collect from the Theological College of Lanka (amended 2010):  Gracious God, we humbly pray with your mercy and favour to behold the Theological College of Lanka, especially its Principal, the Rev. Dr. Jerome Sahabandu and all the staff and students, that knowledge may increase and abound.  Bless all who teach and all who learn, and grant that in humility we may ever look to you, the fountain of all wisdom.  We pray in the name of the Triune God, who is community.

A Prayer by Maggie Mudalige, Librarian at TCL:  Loving Father, we come to you with our hearts burdened for the island of Sri Lanka, beset by ethnic conflict, political and religious tensions, social and economic problems.  Thank you for the courage with which you strengthen your people who live and work in situations that many of us simply cannot comprehend.  As your love impels them to reach out to those in their communities who are suffering physically and emotionally, to those traumatized by ethnic conflict, both civilian and soldier, may your people reflect your beauty, love, grace and forgiveness as they live out the Word of life, as they speak words of life and hope in the darkness that has invaded so many lives, and as they stoop to raise people up.  Amen.

A Prayer by Leo Fonseka, MRDF Partner, Methodist Church in Sri Lanka:  Gracious and loving Father who created all things, we beseech you to forgive us for our disobedience, which has caused your good creation to turn into evil and has ruined its beauty and equity.  You made men and women equal, without the horror of poverty.  But we, through selfishness and avarice, have caused disparities to enter the perfect world system you created.  Amen.

Hymn for One World Week

A hymn written by Andrew Pratt for One World Week and following receipt of September 2007 Newsletter.  Reproduced with permission. Tunes: Intercessor or O Perfect Love.

Great God. the power, the force behind creation,

you came to us and shared a human birth.

You grew like us, matured in strength and reason,

then gave yourself upon this war torn earth.

We seek again the Spirit you can offer,

the grace and strength to make each foe a friend,

to break down walls of prejudice and hatred,

to bring all war and horror to an end.

We pray for courage as we face injustice,

the strength to stand for what we know is right;

help us to work through word and faithful action

to face down fear and walk  into your light.

We pray for peace, yes peace with understanding.

We pray for love that feels another's pain.

We'll walk together to a new tomorrow.

We'll build a realm where Christ can live and reign.

 A Eucharistic Liturgy used frequently in the TCL Chapel.

The Great Thanksgiving Liturgy from an unknown Sri Lankan source, adapted for use in the TCL Chapel by the Rev’d Adrian Aaron.

Collect from the Theological College of Lanka

Gracious God we humbly pray with your mercy and favour to behold the Theological College of Lanka, especially its Principal  the Reverend Dr Albert W. Jebanesan and all the staff and students, that knowledge may increase and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn, and grant that in humility we may ever look to you, who is the fountain of all wisdom.  We pray in the name of the Triune God, who is community. Amen

Prayer for Peace

O God the creator of all humankind,

Look with mercy upon our country,

And in your great goodness

Give us the peace and justice and unity

We long for.

Restrain those who plan evil,

And encourage those whose duty exposes them to harm.

Uphold those who suffer

And strengthen those who are afraid.

Return safely those who are displaced to their homes,

And change the hearts of all those who pursue their cause through violence.

And temper, O Lord, the lifestyle of all our people

With simplicity, courage, humility and love for the truth,

Through the One who gave up life for us,

Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

(Adapted from a prayer issued by the National Christian Council.)

A Letter from the National Christian Council to all Clergy and Congregations of Constituent Churches:

August 2006

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

    We the Heads of Churches write to all our beloved scattered all over the country at this very difficult time in the history of our nation.  As you know, many in our country are weeping for the loss of the lives of their family members and friends.  There are many who are internally displaced.  Numerous stories are heard of brutality, fear, uncertainty and helplessness in all parts of the country.  There seems to be some growing hatred in some parts of the country.  All these stir up pain and agony in the hearts of our people.

    We thank God for those of you who responded to the needs of the people and engaged in Pastoral care.  There is much more to be done to support people of all communities who are displaced and grieving.  We encourage all of you to continue your pastoral ministry in creative ways through prayer, preaching, presence and assistance wherever possible.

    While our pastoral ministry continues we encourage you also to engage in a prophetic ministry to voice the alternate gospel view in order to bring sanity and build bridges towards reconciliation.  We need to reflect on biblical principles and on a kingdom spirituality in order to make a positive informed response and bring healing to all.  We are reminded of the words of our Lord "Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God".  This catastrophe could be considered a testing time for our churches and communities as to whether we are Disciples of Christ and whether we live according to biblical teachings.

    May we also kindly request you to be in close contact with other Christian groups and persons of other Faiths in order to build social trust and friendship. We firmly believe that building relationships of trust can pave way to make friends with "enemies".

    You are assured of our prayers.

Rev. Kingsley Perera - President Baptist Sangamaya & Chairperson NCC,  Rev. C.N. Jansz - President Dutch Reformed Church, Rt. Rev. Kumara Illangasinghe - Bishop of Kurunagula, Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera - Bishop of Colombo, Rev. Ebenezer Joseph - President Methodist Church, Rev. K. Piyadasa - Moderator Presbyterian Church, Rev. S.C. Arnold - Moderators Commissary Jaffna Diocese of Church of South India, Col.Lalzamlova - Territorial Commander, Salvation Army, Rev. Dr. Jayasiri T. Pieris - General Secretary NCC.

A Closing Prayer:

Holy Spirit,

Spirit of the Living God,

you breathe in us,

on all that is inadequate

and fragile.

You make living water spring even from

our hurts themselves,

and through you, the valley of fears

becomes a place of wellsprings.

So, in an inner life

with neither beginning nor end,

your continual presences makes new

freshness break through.  Amen.

    Sri Lanka, World Council of Churches Worship Book 1998

A Prayer for the TCL / St. Mary's Goudhurst Link:  The Link Prayer:

Loving God, we ask for your grace and continued blessing on the Link we have forged between the Parishes of St Mary’s Goudhurst and Christ Church Kilndown and the Theological College of Lanka, Pilimatalawa that, in your service, we may kindle and feed the flame of faith among all who live and work around us, in the name of   Jesus Christ. Amen

A Prayer of Refuge based on the Buddhist Prayer of Refuge (the Thisaranaya).  This is sometimes used by the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka as the final thanksgiving after the Eucharist.

I take refuge in you the Father

    accepting you as God,

I take refuge in you the Son

    accepting you as Lord,

I take refuge in you blest Spirit

    accepting you as Lord,

I take refuge in you Three

    acknowledging you one God.

I look for refuge in your holy Church,

I look for refuge in your own precepts and laws,

I look for refuge in your noble word,

I look for refuge in this your community.

Jehovah, Thou hast promised

This hymn was written by Rev'd W. S. Senior (1876-1938), a CMS missionary.  He was Vice-Principal of Trinity College in Kandy and is buried in the beautiful Anglican churchyard in Haputale in the high hill country.  The hymn is regularly sung in Sri Lanka and almost feel like an unofficial, English National Anthem.  The set tune is adapted from a Buddhist tune.  It can also be sung to "O Jesus I have promised".

Jehovah, Thou hast promised

The isles shall wait for Thee,

The joyous isles of ocean,

The jewels of the sea.

Lo! we, this island's watchers

Would give and take no rest;

For thus hast Thou commanded

Till our dear land is blessed.

Then bless her mighty Father,

With blessings needed most,

In every verdant village,

By every palmy coast.

On every soaring mountain,

O'er every spreading plain,

May all her sons and daughters

Thy righteousness attain.

Give peace within her borders

Twixt ev'ryone goodwill,

The love all unsuspicious,

The love that works no ill.

In loyal lowly service,

Let each from other learn,

The guardian and the guarded,

Till Christ Himself return.

To Him our land shall listen,

To Him our peoples kneel;

All rule be on His shoulder,

All wrong beneath His heel;

O consummation glorious

Which now by faith we sing;

Come, cast we up the highway

That brings us back our King.

A Prayer for Renewal

Even as the water falls on dry tea leaves and brings out their flavour,

so may your Spirit fall on us and renew us so that we may bring refreshment and joy to others.

(Reproduced with permission from the Ceylon Churchman)

A Prayer from Christian Aid on the Anniversary of the Tsunami:

God, moving in the depths of all creation,

moves our hearts:

thanks be to God.

 

God, making a new world out of chaos,

renews and transforms all life:

thanks be to God.

 

God, giver of all good gifts,

inspires us to use and share our gifts:

thanks be to God.

A Tsunami Hymn by the Reverend Andrew Pratt (reproduced with permission)

Tune: St. Matthew no. 812 in Hymns & Psalms

1.    In every face we see the pain

       Of grief and human loss;

       The hell we cannot understand,

       We cannot count the cost.

       Beneath the sun the cooling earth,

       Had risen, ruptured, torn.

       Creation raised its voice and cried,

       A tidal wave was born.

2.    And was God mid-wife at the birth

       Confounding our belief?

       Or is our God outside the frame,

       Removed from human grief?

       For ages we have tried and failed

       To understand this flaw,

       That God should let such evil rise,

       While mixing love and awe.

3.    If God is here where bodies rise

       In piles along the shore,

       Where is the mercy, grace and love

       Of which we should be sure?

       We plead for love, we long for grace,

       To help us, where they fell,

       To grasp the reason for this pain,

       This cavalcade of hell.

4.    Then give us strength to rise again,

       Enlivened by your hope,

       And for the present show your love

       And give us grace to cope.

       God come and join your people in

       The centre of their loss.

       If you are real then show yourself

       Upon this present cross.

A Prayer by G.A. Cleveland Shrigley, published as Prayer for the Week in The Church Times 4/11/05.

It seemed applicable to our context

Father of all, free us from

every prejudice born of

hate and fear, and kept alive

by ignorance and pride.

Open our hearts and minds

to new friendships and new

contributions of the Spirit

from ethnicities, cultures, and

religions other than our

own. Enrich us by the great

thoughts and experiences

of all peoples and

countries.  With all your 

children on earth, make us

sharers of your abundant

life, and workers together

in your Kingdom of love and

peace.  Amen.

A Hymn about God and Suffering by the Reverend Andrew Pratt (reproduced with permission)

Tune: Martyrdom: Hymns & Psalms 416 (As pants the hart)

The mingled tears of memory,

Of present grief and fear,

Reminders for humanity

That death is always near.

The hurricane, the tidal wave,

The terrorist attack,

The fractured faith, unsettled hope,

Can cause belief to crack.

For where is God? And what is love

Within this finite frame,

Where life is tramped underfoot,

Destroyed by winds that maim?

Can God be found in broken lives,

Where chaos seems to rule?

Forsaken on a cross Christ hung,

Made wisdom look a fool.

His broken hands reach out to heal,

Through humans hands today;

Compassion sees the need for love

and God still makes a way.

And so amid these mingled tears

We cling to those who care,

And in the silence come to feel

The love of God is there.

A Prayer for Sri Lanka by Metropolitan Lakdasa De Mel

O God, our father, who has made Sri Lanka so wondrously fair, pour your Holy Spirit on Your Church, that all the peoples of our land, being led through the knowledge of Your truth to worship You in the beauty of holiness, may offer the gold of intellect, the frankincense of devotion and the myrrh of discipline to Him who is the Light of the World, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who, with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, ever one God, world without end.  Amen

Commissioning Service, July 23rd 2005

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