I had to share this for St. Stephen's Day (December 26, the second day of Christmas) when we remember the poor, the oppressed, the outcast, people living in the terror of war, disease and famine, people who are dealing with foreclosure, bankruptcy and unemployment. St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. It is where we get "boxing Day" from in British commnwealth nations and "Good King Wenceslas" who reached out to the disenfranchised. Particularly, I think of my own tribe of Lavander People, GLBT folks who are walking into a new year. With the recent spate of violence in Memphis toward the trans-community I call upon this angel. An Orthodox friend sent this to me and I found the iconography and prayer beautiful from the blogsite: http://jn1034.blogspot.com/2008/12/prayer-to-guardian-angel-of-human-life.html
Prayer to the Guardian Angel of Human Life
for protection from homophobes.
lHoly guardian angel, interceding for our souls and our passionate lives, neither forsake us nor leave us for our intemperance of mind, flesh, and heart. Give no place for the subtle demons of homophobia to harm us through the violence of their evils of thoughts, words, and deeds. Strengthen our poor and fragile hearts, and guide us in the ways of our Holy Tradition and the love of the Gospel. Holy angel of God, guardian and protector of our tender bodies and souls, protect us during the present evening and day, and guard us from every evil of those ensnared by the demons of homophobia. Release homophobes from their darkness of self-hate and misanthropy, and lead them to the glorious light of God's way, truth, and life. Pray for us that we're made worthy by the grace and mercy of the All-Holy Trinity.
+ Through the prayers of our holy mothers and fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
+ Through the prayers of our holy mothers and fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
2 comments:
Beloved Pastor Tim: Thank you for passing on our simple "Prayer to the Guardian Angel of Human Life
for Protection from Homophobes." It's clear from your longstanding ministry that this prayer speaks to your heart and to those under your sacred priesthood. It's wonderful to see how you incorporated this icon we produced with both St Stephen's Day and Boxing Day. Simply brilliant of you! As you may know, we've been following the tragedies in Memphis and have posted on Homophobia Made Tangible for the memory of Duanna Johnson. May God continue to bless you and yours with mercy and grace throughout this glorious Nativity season and always. With admiration and respect, your sibling Christian priests to the glory of the Trinity and all creation, +JN1034
My Blessed Siblings:
In the name of the Holy Trinity, continue to pray for us, watch us and walk with us. Thank you for your kind comment. It is a great consolation that you know our difficulty and share our concern. The last I saw Duanna Johnson was when she worshipped with us and joined us at table to receive the Eucharist.
God bless you and yours as we trod into a new year. For your gift to us in our Guardian Angel and your gracious ministry among the people who constitute the Body of Christ. All this to the Glory of The Divine Beloved.
Pastor Tim
Post a Comment