Canon Kendall Harmon at TitusOneNine has posted the very sad news of a Title IV disciplinary process being started against Bp. Mark Lawrence and the Diocese of South Carolina.
Although I’ve not yet had time to read all the documents, and it’s been MANY months since I’ve been engaged in blogging, today I’m feeling strongly compelled to “come out of blogging retirement” and make this matter one of urgent and ongoing prayer.
I was meditating on Psalm 4 in my personal devotional reading last night, and so upon reading the news at T19, that was the first Scripture that came to mind, and it seems very apt:
1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
(NIV)
The Lord will hear and HAS set apart the godly in SC for Himself and WILL keep them safe in His care no matter what damage KJS and TEC manage to do in the short term.
Verse 7 is particularly striking to me in the current context because of +Mark Lawrence’s fantastic reflection on Christian joy, which we have posted here at Lent & Beyond at least twice [most recently here], which I think is one of the most influential short meditations I have ever read. +Mark’s exhortation has stuck with me and challenged me repeatedly ever since I first read his words 5 years ago.
So, go read +Mark’s word’s on Christian joy, and then pray that he and all the Godly in the diocese of SC may receive grace and cultivate true joy in Christ such that they may sing His praises even in these dark days.
Also, the daily prayer that Kendall posted this morning is very timely as well:
Almighty God, whose sovereign power none can make void: Give us faith to stand calm and undismayed amid the tumults of the world, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love thee; through thy beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
-Karen
Ps 119:161-165
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous ordinances.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
Woe to those who try to create stumbling blocks for our friends in DSC.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lord we praise your name to the heavens!
We give you thanks that you have called your servant Mark
and his flock in South Carolina
Out of Babylon, out of the unequal yoke, out of the broad path that leads to damnation
Towards your heavenly city on the hill;
Towards your light burden
Towards your kingdom that leads to salvation!
Lord we pray that you will strengthen the hearts of your faithful servants
and strike despair and death to those you have handed over to Satan
to those who have left your true faith, and turned after lies
to those who have given themselves over to unnatural passions
to those who daily crucify your Son again and again
Have mercy on those who long to do you will
Grant us swift release and total victory
for the sake of the name of your Son Jesus Christ
Amen
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
I sent my prayers to his Canon to the Ordinary. If Bishop Lawrence would “face the east” whilst celebrating he would be able to lead his people more effectively. One can’t lead by facing one’s people. The 1928 BCP would help too….can’t inspire people with the banality of the 1979 book.
[...] sure thousands of orthodox Episcopalians & Anglicans around the world are today praying for Bp. Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina by name in the face of the news of the Title IV disciplinary [...]