Our particular stories of faith, as Hebrews 11 and the season of Advent so aptly remind us, are written within the page of The Story. While knowing this truth is important and helpful, it is by praying this truth that the power of faith’s history takes hold of our hearts.
So this week, let us pray together this prayer from the ages— prayer adapted from John Ballie.
Father of our ancestors, we cry out to you. You have been teh refuge of good and wise, prodigals and prostitutes in every generation. You are the beginning of history, the light of life which enlightens every woman and man to realize their full humanity. Throughout the ages you have been the Lord and giver of life, the source of knowledge, and the fountain of all goodness.
The patriarchs & matriarchs, like Abraham and Ruth, trusted you and were not put to shame;
The prophets & prophetesses, like Isaiah and Anna, sought you and put your words on their lips;
The psalmists, like David, and the humble like Mary, rejoiced in you and youer were present in their songs;
The apostles, like Peter, and disciples like Martha and Mary, waited for you and were filled with your Spirit;
The martyrs, like Stephen and Felcity, called upon you and you were with them in the flames;
Our poor souls called, and have been heard by the Lord, and have been saved from every trouble.
Father, you have always been there, you are with us now, and you endure forever;
We thank you for this well-worn Christian path, a way ancient and ever-lasting,
a road beaten hard by the footsteps of saints, apostles, prophets, and martyrs.
Thank you for sign posts and warning signals which are there at every corner and which we can understand through the study of Scripture and history, through great literature and the stories of others in your Spirit.
Above all, we give you sincere and humble thanks for the great gift of Jesus Christ, the pioneer of faith.
We praise you that we have been born in an age and a land where we can know his name, and that we are not called to face any temptation or trail which he did not endure.
Holy Father, help us to profit from these great memories of the ages gone by, and help us to enter into the glorious inheritance which you have prepared for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.