Verse: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people’, (1 Timothy 2:1).
Before I came to the Community of Christ, I had spent several years with the Religious Society of Friends – commonly known as the Quakers – in a variety of geographical locations across England. There are many beautiful theological and practical methods that one can learn from this rich spiritual tradition which itself bases much of its identity on inclusivity and peace, so I was incredibly excited to see on the Community of Christ’s webpage an article on the Quaker practice of Holding in the Light which I will attach for anyone who is interested (https://cofchrist.org/holding-in-the-light/). The Community of Christ contributes its own take on this practice but for all intents and purposes the method, as well as theological and pastoral uses, are the same as those practiced within Meeting Houses all over the world.
The Quaker.org Glossary informs readers that “‘Holding another in the Light” is a way of expressing concern for God’s guidance and care for a person.’ It is used commonly in Quaker Meetings and the names of ill or suffering members are read out for the whole Meeting to Hold in the Light. As the CofC webpage states, the main aim of this type of communal prayer is to visualise those being prayed for held in the light or presence of God. This form of prayer is usually silent, with members of the congregation focussing on this visualisation of God’s light being directed on those being prayed for. It is usual for this form of intercessory prayer to last around ten or fifteen minutes, but can last longer if the congregation wishes. It is best to keep the time shorter if the congregation are new to this form of mental prayer.
For my own practice I find it beneficial to Hold in the Light those belonging to, and in, the country the Daily Prayer for Peace focusses on. This is a good way of holding true to the biblical command to pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). It is also a nice way of combining something important from my own faith tradition history with something that I feel is important in my current faith tradition. The Daily Prayer for Peace is in itself a witness to not only the Community of Christ’s commitment to peace, but of all those who pray with them. The Daily Prayer for Peace itself has a ritual to go alongside it each day, and the CofC routinely Tweets and uploads the customised prayer for each country. This means it is incredibly easy to know who we should be Holding in the Light. It is a joyous way to stop thinking in local and nationalistic ways but to think of and care about people all over the globe. It is a prayerful way of connecting us to each other and to those who may be in need.
