Patrick Comerford
The Christmas season continues, and today [29 December 2016] the Church of England recalls Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, who was martyred on this day in 1170, with a lesser festival in Common Worship. It is one of those important links between the Christmas message and the cost of discipleship.
Each morning throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas I am using the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency, USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), for my morning prayers and reflections.
This week, the prayers in the USPG Prayer Diary focus on the needs of mothers and children in Palestine and Israel.
The USPG Prayer Diary:
Thursday 29 December 2016:
Pray for God’s care for the mothers of disabled children in Palestine, many of whom face discrimination in their communities.
Readings (Revised Common Lectionary, the Church of Ireland, Holy Communion):
I John 2: 3-11; Psalm 96: 1-4; Luke 2: 22-35.
The Collect of the Day (Common Worship):
Lord God,
who gave grace to your servant Thomas Becket
to put aside all earthly fear
and be faithful even to death:
grant that we, disregarding worldly esteem,
may fight all wrong,
uphold your rule,
and serve you to our life’s end;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Continued tomorrow
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