Why I can’t stop worrying about this Church of England prayer
by David Baker, Christian Today:
Oh dear. I’m about to be criticised for being a curmudgeonly fault-finder who has nothing better to do than nit-pick over words.
As it happens, I do have many better things to do – but on this occasion (miraculously) I seem to be a little ahead of schedule. And, also, sometimes there are things you feel you really have to write about.
So let us ask ourselves this question: when the Church of England produces a prayer for a National Day of Reflection (as was held in the UK this week), what could possibly be wrong with it?
Well, here is the prayer, or at least one of two very similar versions of it: God of Love, As we think about all that has changed this year, help us to trust that you are always with us. As we remember those who have died, help us to trust they are at peace with you. As we reach out to others with kindness and care, may hope shine out in every heart and home. Amen.
Pretty mild and inoffensive, right? I mean, which person with any kind of faith could not say that? So couldn’t we all quite happily join in with it? Well, alas not… Here’s why: What this prayer contains is a startling but casual assumption that all those who have died during the pandemic (and presumably from other causes as well) over the past 12 months are ‘at peace with’ God. And the prayer wants us to ask God to help us believe that to be true.
There are only three problems with this. The first problem is, simply, that it is not true, and therefore it is not something we should be asking God for. The second problem is that it is not what the Church of England teaches. And the third issue is that it is not what the Bible teaches.
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