Aboriginal Day of Prayer

"As Long as the Sun Rises, the Grass Grows, and the River Flows."

Stan MacKay

The Native Day of Prayer affords us the opportunity to consider the meaning of a "new" covenant and the possibility for prayerful considerations of the invitation of Jesus to sacramental living. The work of learning our shared history in Canada and the road to "right relationships" is indeed a sacred journey.

Prayer: For the Healing of the Nations

We come with thanksgiving

• for our very breath, the warmth of sun, and the sustaining waters
• for life all around us: the plants, soft grasses, and sheltering trees
• for the ones that crawl, those that swim, and those that fly
• for the four-legged and the two-legged
• all our relations!

We celebrate the diversity in creation as reflected in the four winds from the four directions. We especially honour the many peoples with their many gifts for understanding our shared life on the earth.

We strive to live out the seven sacred teachings:

Respect

Love

Honesty

Courage

Humility

Wisdom

Truth.

These teachings enable us to live in harmony with ourselves, with our neighbours, and all the created earth.

Stan McKay

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Scripture Readings

• Genesis 9:8-17
• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Psalm 136
• Hebrews 8:6-13
• Matthew 26:26-30

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Suggested Hymns

• VU 282 "Long before the Night"
• VU 295 "The Earth and All Who Breathe" (optional tune: VU 296)
• VU 471 "Eat This Bread and Never Hunger"
• VU 614 "In Suffering Love"
• VU 633 "Bless Now, O God, the Journey"

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The Setting, Sermon, and Communion

The setting for worship might be a summer camp, park, or nearby reserve.

The sermon could be replaced by circles of sharing, with stories related to awareness of covenant-making and developing "right relationships."

The worship may include communion, with reference to covenant relationships.