Prayers & Meditations

From the preface to the Lectionary :

Loving God, you show yourself to those who are without help and make your home with the poor and the weak of this world; warm our hearts with the fire of your Spirit that we may accept the challenges of AIDS. Strengthen those who care for the sick, enlighten those doing research for the alleviation of the disease, protect the healthy, calm the frightened, encourage those in pain, comfort the dying , console the bereaved (and give to the dead eternal life). Through Jesus Christ our Lord who suffered and died that we might have eternal life. Amen.

Prayers from various sources :

• We thank you, our God and Father, that in intercession we bear with you the burden of the world's need. Merge our wills with your will to sweep us up into your overwhelming energies. Blessed Lord, make us worthy to intercede. In your Name we ask it. Amen (Virginia E Huntington, SCHC, adapted)

• Dear Father Almighty, grant that I may be found worthy to follow the example of Peter, James and John and try to keep watch as the Christ in (name) struggles in their personal Gethsemane. Amen

• Dear Father Almighty, grant that as I journey towards my personal Gethsemane I may be ministered to and comforted by both your angels and human companions. Amen

• Dear Father Almighty, your Son alone had to drink the cup of the Passion so that we might have salvation, yet some remained with him to the end, watching, caring through and after his death; strengthen, comfort, console and bless all who care for those who are dying now, for Jesus' sake. Amen

• Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort, deal graciously with those who mourn, that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

• Lord God, as I think about the issue of HIV/AIDS I feel overwhelmed by the size of the problem, my smallness and weakness; give me grace to remember that you are the Almighty and it is in your strength that we have the victory. Amen

• Lord God, you took a few loaves and small fishes and multiplied that offering of a single heart to bless thousands; give me the grace so to turn my heart to you that I may be a channel of peace, comfort and healing in the world; to the praise honour and glory of your Holy Name. Amen

• Lord God Almighty, (I/we) give you thanks that you have inspired leaders in your Church to call all Christians to face the issue of HIV/AIDS and respond in prayer, repentance and action to minister to the nations; strengthen them that they may fearlessly proclaim your word, and soften (my/our) heart(s) so that (I/we) may joyfully rise up in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Food for meditation :

1. Ignorance, fear, selfishness and denial are key factors contributing to the spread of this disease that knows no boundaries. Society can not be healed of the disease if these issues are not addressed.

2. There are only two kinds of people in Africa : those infected with HIV/Aids and those affected by HIV/Aids. Like it or not, we are involved and Christ has called us to be servants, light, salt to our society.

3. Those who are diagnosed as HIV positive have already been traumatised. They have had to face the possibility that they have an illness for which there is no known cure, to find the courage to take the test, to live under the dark cloud of uncertainty. Have they had a friend to share this time, or were they alone like Christ in Gethsemane? Pray that those facing the possibility of being HIV positive will have and recognise the friends God raises up to meet their need.

4. Many who are HIV positive live full lives. They modify their lifestyle, follow a healthy diet, keep active, set and work towards goals like anyone else, choose to live fully rather than pine away over what might have been - just like other successful people. The mental attitude of the infected person is very important, as is the moral support of friends, family and society. Pray that those who need help can have the courage to make their need known, and that Christ will raise up people to meet those needs.

5. The Provincial Standing Committee (PSC) of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (CPSA) resolutions regarding HIV / AIDS:

   • Endorse efforts under HIV/AIDS Community Ministries and mission to improve communication between Provincial and Diocesan offices and HIV/AIDS ministries, task forces and communities within CPSA and the Anglican Communion.

   • Endorse programmes and activities which : end stigma by converting every parish into a welcoming and "AIDS friendly congregation"; promote life-saving and life extending treatments; provide counselling and care for those affected.

   • Urges all members of CPSA to practice responsible sexual behaviour which includes : knowing one's HIV status and its consequences; embracing and upholding the Church's traditional teachings on chastity, monogamy and marriage.

   • PSC respectfully requests the Archbishop, in consultation with the governments of the countries embraced by the CPSA, to declare and affirm a state of emergency on AIDS on World AIDS Day 1^st December 2001 in order that the true nature of the HIV/AIDS pandemic may be acknowledged and public denial and complacency may be minimised.

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