A Day in the Life of Us | by Bishop Kevin Allen
For those of us environmentalists living in the city and surrounded by concrete canyons, we can often become out of touch with how interconnected and codependent we really are. We are interconnected with fellow humans and creatures alike, who call Earth home.
Hyper emphasis on individualism combined with increasing social distance (both physically & ideologically) perpetuate a growing sense of detachment and disconnection which contribute to rampant, widespread loneliness and despair. Many of us have developed a warped perception of independence. Even in this modern day and age, we are still – in actuality – dependent upon one another and the contributions each person brings to the local, national and even global community.
Upon reading the newspaper, I have developed a practice of praying for my community and the world. This practice of reading the newspaper is made possible through the contributions of the following people, to whom I am indebted to:
Tree planter
Timber cruiser
Faller
Logger
Loader
Truck driver
Pulp mill unloader
Log prep operator
Chipper operator
Operator of pulp making
Papermaker
Newsprint stock cutter and packaging
Truck loader
Truck driver
Newsprint unloader
Printer loader
Reporter
Editor
Proofreader
Layout person
Printer operator
Newspaper bundler
Truck loader
Truck driver
Paper delivery
We are interconnected and interdependent… I do not exist or act in isolation. When I read my daily paper--these 25 people and myself--are participating with me in a Day in the Life of Us. My ability to pray for my community and the world is dependent on at least 25 unnamed people who unknowingly affect (& enrich!) my life on a daily basis.
Further, the list of those who participate with me in a Day in the Life of Us grows exponentially with each activity I do: reading the newspaper, turning on the light switch, taking the hot shower, eating eggs and toast for breakfast, reading and communicating on the internet, and so much more as I move through my day.
Yes, we have heard this before in school when learning about agriculture, Industry, and markets and discussing infrastructure and commerce. But have we considered this spiritually and in our prayers?
If Jesus came among us today to call his disciples, like the Gospel accounts, He could call the logger, the chipper operator, the printer, the reporter, and the truck driver. When God sends us out into the world to do the work he has given us to do… we can only do that supported by those whose work we depend on for so many things each day. Further we often share the Good News with those who, unknown to us, already participate with us in A Day in the Life of Us. I am humbled to think that the stranger I noticed in the store and prayed for… may actually be an unknown participant in my day… and thus not a stranger. That person also might be a brother or sister in Christ.
I encourage you during Lent to take time each week to pause in an activity and consider who participated and enabled you to carry out this activity… and to take a moment to pray for them. This is another good way to pray for the world.
I pray that you have will have a Holy and blessed Lent and that many others will be blessed by our prayers. +Kevin
PRAYERS FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD
COMPLINE SERVICE (BCP64)
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (BCP46)
O Lord Jesus Christ, in your earthly life you shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Guide those who maintain the commerce and industries of this land, and give to all who labor pride in their work, a just reward, and joy both in supplying need and in serving you; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.
FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMING (BCP48)
Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it may produce what is needed to sustain our life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT LITANY (BCP, p94)
To bless and protect all who serve their communities by their labor and learning,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
To give and preserve for us and for others the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that at the harvest we all may enjoy them,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
To preserve all who are in danger by reason of their work or travel,
We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.
PROPER FOR ROGATION DAYS (BCP, p635)
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
PREFACE OF ROGATION DAYS
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give us all a right satisfaction in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER (BCP51) Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.