LITURGY FOR LIGHTING THE AIDS CANDLE

Lord, you are our light that shines in the darkness so that the darkness cannot overcome it. We light this candle to remind ourselves that your light is found at the centre of our lives, our continent and the lives of our brothers and sisters who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. We are mindful that there are only two kinds of people on our continent, those who are living with and those who are affected by the disease. We ask your forgiveness for ever assuming that AIDS is none of our business and for forgetting that you are the only judge.

We seek your blessing and consolation for those present who are HIV positive.

Shine with you light into the darkness of our ignorance and despair.

Christ our light
Thanks be to God

A DIFFERENT ADDITIONAL PARA CAN BE ADDED EACH WEEK E.G.

We pray that the government's anti-retroviral roll out will gain momentum. May those who need the medication and cannot afford it soon find new hope in the programme. We are mindful that even among those who can afford the drugs, some do suffer negative effects from the medication and we ask that you help their caregivers find the right solution for them.

Christ our light
Thanks be to God

OR:

Help us to smash the cruel stigma that forces people in this parish and in the broader community to carry the dreadful burden and consequences of secrecy. Please give those who need to be tested the courage to do so early enough for their condition to be managed. Support the families of those who are infected and are burdened by anguish, despair and isolation.

Christ our light
Thanks be to God

OR:

We light this candle to bless those who care for people living with HIV or AIDS. We light it to express on-going hope for a cure. We light this candle to remind ourselves of our Anglican commitment to a generation without AIDS and we pray that our CPSA AIDS programme carries your light to the world.
AMEN
23 May 2004
Lord, we pray that the many people rejected by their families and friends as a result of their HIV status, will find comfort in your eternal and unbounded love for them. May our congregation be a haven of non-judgemental comfort and a beacon of your unconditional love
30 May 2004
We pray that the young people in this parish may come to understand that the HIV is a virus and is spread by people who don't know their HIV status. May the come to understand and practice the Christian concepts of love, respect and commitment
6 June 2004
We light this candle in special memory of the more than 6000 people who will die today of AIDS related illnesses. We pray especially for those who have lost parents to AIDS. May they find love and support through the Body of Christ.
13 June 2004
Heavenly father, we seem so powerless in preventing the spread of HIV. We pray that you guide and strengthen us in talking openly, constructively and sensitively about informed, responsible and Christian sexual behaviour with our children, our parents, our family and friends.

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