Prayers for the 165th Anniversary of ABM’S Foundation

 

Gracious God we give thanks as we celebrate the 165th anniversary of ABM and the journey that started so many years ago – so many plans ago – and so many dreams ago. We celebrate all the joys that have been come to birth in these 165 years. We celebrate all the happy times, all the accomplishments, and all the triumphs. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us. We acknowledge that there have been, and will continue to be, struggles and heartaches. Yet we have travelled together under your protection and love. Thank you, Lord, for being with us in good times and bad. We ask, Lord, that you would continue to protect us, guide us and sustain us as we go forth from this 165th anniversary commemoration. Amen.

 

We praise you heavenly Father for the great privilege which is ours this day to humbly come before you, and lovingly praise and thank you as we reflect on the history of ABM. Many people have come and gone from us over the 165 years, and we are thankful for what each one has contributed to ABM. By your grace, Lord, ABM has established and sustained partnerships with Anglicans throughout Australia and around the world. We are thankful for the support we have received from within the Church and beyond it that have allowed us to do the work of playing our part in your mission. We continue to pray for your gracious Spirit to work through us as we support our partners here in Australia and around the world. May we be faithful in hearing the Holy Spirit, in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, and being a gift to our world. Amen.

 

Gracious God, as we celebrate our past and rejoice in our present, we also look forward with eager eyes to the future. We pray that you would continue to make your love known among us. Give us a zeal for mission. Help us to encourage our Partners to look beyond their walls to those who do not know you. Make ABM to be a blessing to those we work with, and embolden us to move forward with strength toward what lies ahead. Amen.

 

A Litany

 

For the Church universal, of which ABM is a part,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For your presence whenever two or three have gathered in your name,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For this time of worship where we may be still and know that you are God,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For the fulfilling of our desires and petitions as you see best for us,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For our past and a vision of the future that lies ahead,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For the gift of the Holy Spirit and new life in baptism,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For the pardon of our sins when we have fallen short of your glory,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For the holy Eucharist in which we are united to our partners and we have a foretaste of your eternal kingdom,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For the faith of those who have gone before us and for our encouragement by their perseverance,

We thank you, Lord.

 

For all the supporters and benefactors of ABM who have died in the peace of Christ and are at rest

We thank you, Lord.

 

For the fellowship of all your saints, and especially for St Paul, and all other missionaries,

We thank you, Lord.

 

O God, from living and chosen stones you prepare an everlasting dwelling place for your majesty. Grant that in the power of the Holy Spirit those who serve you here may always be kept within your presence. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.