A CLOSING RITUAL OF THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2017

A CLOSING RITUAL OF THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2017[1]

Prior to this closing liturgy, on a piece of paper request the people to write their prayer request. The people will gather together around the big earthen pot. A hymn will be sung as the people gather. The presider will stand near the earthen pot filled with coal ember.

Presider: In the name of God our Parent, the Christ our friend, and of the Holy Spirit our comrade.

All: Amen.

Presider: We gather together to formally closed this World Day of Prayer 2017 and start our journey to become a prayer to one another. When a prayer becomes a habit of the Filipino people, miracles becomes our lifestyle. Thus, also manifest that we live the habit of Jesus and of the indigenous people in the Old Testament. As described in the Luke 11 (1-13), one of the disciple asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). And Jesus did not only teach them how to pray but how to become a prayer. For Jesus, to become a prayer is to become the visible expression of the inclusive grace of God. Meaning our presence in our family and faith community, in the office where we are working or in our day to day walks of life becomes a channel of God’s blessings – a channel of God’s miracle. Jesus taught us to become a prayer – a proactive respondent to the needs of our neighbor beyond friendship or established relationship. We gather together at this moment, to make ourselves a sacramental expression of God’s love and grace even during the time we hated, because it goes beyond our comfort (Luke 11:6-7).

At this moment, the presider will pour out the incense to the earthen pot filled with coal ember. It is expected that it would produce a scented smoke. Then the presider continues saying:

We acknowledge the presence of God in our midst, sanctifying us, binds us together, and strengthen our bonds. The scented smoke conveys the presence of God, and allowing us to immerse in the presence of God. As we lay down our prayer request to this earthen pot which symbolizes the visible expression of God’s presence through the warm produces by it, the ascending smoke symbolizes our prayers rising to the heaven, to the everlasting presence of God. (Exodus 26:6 and 30:1,7-8). In so, at this point, with reverence let us offer our prayer in the presence of God.

At this moment, the people will offer their prayer request written in the small piece of paper into the earthen pot. The acolytes will assist the people and maintain the scented smoke by adding an incense to burn with the prayer request notes. A hymn may be sung.

O DIOS, DINGGIN MO, O DIOS DINGGIN MO. DALANGIN TUGUNIN. O DIOS DINGGIN MO. O DIOS DINGGIN MO. KAHABAGAN MO, KAMI.

Then, a prayer will be uttered by the presider:

O, Lord, heighten our awareness, purifies every aspect of our lives, and allow us to avail life to its fullness. Give us the opportunity to experience fair living, regardless of our races, generations, sexuality, cultural and gender identity. Amen.

The choir will lead the people in singing the Sending Forth Hymn.

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[1] Prepared by Rev. Jeric C. Cortado, Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc, Kidapawan City, Philippines, March 3, 2017.