The Church of England has launched a campaign through Manchester's And Partners to engage with a new audience, using a dedicated website to allow people to submit their personal prayers and thoughts, which will then be "offered to God by a bishop." The 'say one for me' initiative launched today, Ash Wednesday, and will run throughout Lent.
The prayers will be relayed up to God by one of the Bishops of Birmingham, Huntingdon, Leicester, Manchester, Worcester or the Archbishop of York in their own personal submissions.
The portal is being marketed as "a web version of the public prayer boards popular at many cathedrals and churches."
COMMENT: I'm surprised thousands of Christian bloggers throughout the world didn't think of this one years ago.
At OCICBW... we can't guarantee that a real life (human) bishop will send your prayers heavenward. But we do get the "odd" bishop dropping by occasionally, so you never know your luck (well, I do, but I don't want to go on about it).
However, if you don't mind your prayers slumming it with the humble prayers of sinners and ne'erdowells, please post them in the comment facility below this post.
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From David G:
My Father died at 8:35 pm EST.(2-16-10) I'm a mess...and I'm okay!! ...but...wellll
I just wanted to let you know...
Love David
all this life is ash wednesday
(Elvis Perkins)
the London Internet Church has been doing this for some time and I have been known to post prayer requests there myself.
ReplyDeletePrayers for David G - how awful for you - what can I say, or do, except offer prayers
Yes, prayers for David G. I remember how tough it was when I lost my dad.
ReplyDeleteMe likes this picture, btw. I almost used it for my computer desktop today at work. I rotate desktop images by season.
Tracie the Red
I rotate desktop images by season.
ReplyDeleteOoh! Can't wait till Saturnalia
Dear David-G my prayers for you, and for the repose of your father's soul.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Jonathan, we aren't Nova Roma/Roman pagan reconstructionists. We leave Saturnalia up to them. We stick with a good English Yuletide at that time of year. How can we say no to pork, wassail and ale at that time of year?
ReplyDelete:nods:
Prayers for David (G).
ReplyDeleteWhat makes someone think a bishop's prayers are heard or answered any quicker or better than anyone else's? What if the bishop doesn't agree with the request? There are a few "bishops" in the US who seem to be telling Godde rather than petitioning. Thanks but I'll trust the prayers of those of us here every day rather than bother with a bish.
I suppose it's a bit like a charity getting a celebrity endorsement, Psuedo. I would ask Bishop Alan to do something similar for the OCICBW... Prayer List but, to be honest, I don't think he's got the right establishment profile for the job.
ReplyDeletePrayers for David G. and for the repose of his father's soul.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes someone think a bishop's prayers are heard or answered any quicker or better than anyone else's?
ReplyDeleteWell, to be honest, I suppose for the same reason one Bishop Spong (ret.) subtitled so many of his books "A Bishop Rethinks..."
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Prayers ascending. DavidG, may your father rest in peace. Comfort to {{{you}}}.
Prayers for David G. and for the repose of his dad's soul.
ReplyDeletethe London Internet Church has been doing this for some time and I have been known to post prayer requests there myself
ReplyDeleteNow that I've reread this it sounds rather curt - I didn't mean it that way. It is a good idea and I don't know why the Church of England hasn't thought of it earlier.
I'll tell you why, Cathy. It's because every time I've offered to help them understand and get the best out of the Internet, they have refused to take me up on my offer because I'm from the wrong social class. It's the same with madness. I'm a walking resource for madness and the church yet nobody has ever asked me to speak on the subject even though I have been offering to do so for over ten years.
ReplyDelete... well, the Anglican church is its own worst enemy at times, MP, and I guess those are two pretty good examples of how they have managed not to see that someone can help them.
ReplyDeleteIt's particularly sad you haven't had the chance to talk on madness more widely. There is such a crying need for more awareness and illumination on that subject. It is mostly painfully misunderstood.
Praying for David G and his whole family and all who love his dad.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. God bless you, and may your father rest in peace and rise in glory.
We love you.
Prayers for your David G. and for the repose of your father's soul.
ReplyDeleteHow about the bishops read the prayer requests on live television?
ReplyDelete