 |
| Seasons of Change by Monte Dolack The University of Montana is Mother Dawnell's Alma Mater. |
Ember days have their origin in the Latin Quatuor Tempora (four times).
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week are Ember Days. So, we are in an Ember season. The Book of Common Prayer describes these quarterly remembrances on the Church’s calendar. The Ember Days, traditionally observed on the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after the First Sunday in Lent, the Day of Pentecost, Holy Cross Day, and December 13 (St. Lucy's Day).
Further, the prayer book contains the following prayers for Ember Days, which are set aside especially to pray for people in any sort of ministry:
For the Ministry (Ember Days) - For use on the traditional days or at other times.
BCP, pages 256, 257
I. For those to be ordained
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry
O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
III. For all Christians in their vocation
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
As you can see, there is a prayer here for ALL of us. That is because we ALL have a vocation – a calling. Please take a moment to pray with one or all of these!
