The Anglican Church of Canada posted this prayer For General, Provincial, or Diocesan Synods from The Book of Common Prayer on its Twitter feed the other day. "Amen!" pray I. May the all the mind of our Saviour Jesus Christ be fulfilled, indeed, particularly as regards the momentous changes proposed for our Marriage Canon during this Synod.
I am also praying the first of the two prayers For General, Provincial, or Diocesan Synods which begins on the page before:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world: We beseech thee to be present with the General Synod now [or about to be] assembled in thy Name. Save its members from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe so to direct, govern, and sanctify them in their deliberations by thy Holy Spirit, that through thy blessing the Gospel of Christ may be faithfully preached and obeyed, the order and discipline of thy Church maintained, and the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour enlarged and extended. Grant this, we beseech thee, through the merits and mediation of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 42-43)
It seems to me this prayer fleshes out how Jesus' mind for his Church ought to be fulfilled: protected from error, ignorance, pride and prejudice; directed, governed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit of Truth; so the transforming and saving Gospel of Christ can continue to be faithfully preached and obeyed; the Church's order and discipline conserved; and the Kingdom of God properly enlarged and extended.
Lord, have mercy! Please pray.
Gene+
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