Christian leaders across Scotland are encouraging people to join in prayer again this Sunday in a continued response to Covid-19.

In a joint statement, signed by Archbishop Cushley, they said: "Occasionally, when we purchase something, we change our mind and we return our purchase. However, over these last months that regular feature of the shopping experience has become somewhat more challenging. If this is so, the result might be that we stay with the decision we have made and choose not to change our mind.

The apostle Paul writes that ‘the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable’. (Romans 11: 29) God has made a choice and that choice is to call the people of God into being and to make a covenant with them. Having made that choice, the mind of God does not change. God remains faithful to the covenant and to the covenant promise renewed through Jesus Christ. Knowing this to be so, we turn with confidence to the faithful God.

We pray:

Faithful God,
You have called us to be the people of God.
We thank you that your calling remains and abides.
Make us faithful to your calling at this present time.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Faithful God,
You are the God who makes a covenant with your people.
We thank you that you remember us even when we forget you.
Remember us today and all who journey in hard places.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Faithful God,
Your gifts to us are many and without number.
We thank you for the gift of life
And the gift renewed through Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Faithful God,
You are merciful and gracious and you abound in steadfast love.
When all around us seems to shift and uncertainty prevails,
We search for you and discover again that you are ever present.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Faithful God,
You are the God who breaks down the dividing wall
And makes us one in Christ Jesus.
Grant to us the strength to overcome division and renew our common life.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Signed by:

  • Rt. Rev. Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
  • Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
  • Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
  • Rev. John Fulton, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
  • Rev. Dr David Pickering, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
  • Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
  • Rev. May-Kane Logan, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
  • Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
  • Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Rev. Jim Ritchie, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
  • Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
  • Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)