kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth

Give us the will to be the servant of others

It’s a shame that such wonderful words as can be found in today’s (Fifth Sunday of Lent) Post Communion prayer, are hidden away in a place where they won’t always get the attention they deserve. But it isn’t unusual to find such good examples of Anglican doctrine shining forth from the liturgy we use.

At Godmanchester we do try very hard to give the Post Communion prayer its proper place within the liturgy. But, as much as we aim for a short period of silence, it rarely happens fully — there’s usually some sort of background hum to be heard; and the Deacon and servers will sometimes still be doing the ablutions. The result is that sometimes these are just more words said by the Celebrant, and, I’m sure, missed by many in the congregation.

I wasn’t there today, so don’t know if things went the same as normal. But I do hope some heard, and were able to pray with the Celebrant, today’s Post Communion prayer. It says so much about the pastoral heart of our Church. One of those real gems we sometimes come across within our liturgy.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us
that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters
we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion Prayer for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council