Teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty

Teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty

I think, in these somewhat uncertain times, this phrase from the Additional Collect for the Last Sunday after Trinity is an especially appropriate sentiment, “Teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty”. The radio is on most of the day here, and the state of the economy dominates every news bulletin. It sure looks like Britain, along with much else of the rest of the world, is heading into a recession. Despite all that’s being done to stave it off, it looks pretty inevitable. And after some sixteen years or so of being in economic growth, there are a lot of people who are going to get hurt before it’s over.

I can’t imagine what it must feel like to see everything you’ve worked so hard to build up put at risk, and even lost, because of circumstances outside your control. It must be a huge worry. One advantage with not having a lot, is that there isn’t a lot to lose.

To lose all in those circumstances must be a testing time for faith. I hope and pray that people are able to keep faith with their faith through all the difficult times ahead.

The Church of England has this prayer for the current financial situation on their site:

Lord God, we live in disturbing days:
     across the world,
     prices rise,
     debts increase,
     banks collapse,
     jobs are taken away,
     and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands,
and a light in the darkness;
help us receive your gift of peace,
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

They also have a section with some good advice for those struggling with debt. The AdviceGuide, the Citizens Advice Bureau’s online advice service, is somewhere else to get advice if things are getting bad. I imagine there must be similar types of website in many countries.

If debt and the economic situation are becoming a problem for you, do please get advice sooner rather than later. My prayers are with you all.

Merciful God,
teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty,
that trusting in your word
and obeying your will
we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Last Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council