On 14th January 2013 the Church of England is encouraging Christian communities across the country to pray for farmers and those working in the rural economy. Special prayers have published online to mark ‘Plough Monday’, traditionally the start of the agricultural year.
The Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, said: “Farmers work incredibly hard producing our food often in difficult and challenging conditions, especially now when it has been so wet for such a long time. This is a good opportunity to take a moment to reflect and pray for the coming year, for our own production and for the fair distribution of food across the world.”
The prayers are available on the Church of England website: http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/topical-prayers.aspx.
The prayers read:
Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
God our Father,
you never cease the work you have begun
and prosper with your blessing all human labour:
make us wise and faithful stewards of your gifts
that we may serve the common good,
maintain the fabric of our world
and seek that justice where all may share
the good things you pour upon us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
O God, who gives each of us work to do for your sake,
Bless this plough,
Together with the machines that enable us
To do our work upon the land,
And bless all those who use them:
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prosper throughout the year
The work done on our local farms.
Bless all who work with the world’s resources
And enable them to be good stewards of your creation;
Fulfil the farmer’s hopes in a plentiful harvest;
Feed your people with wholesome food;
And may town and country, united in gratitude to you,
Be drawn nearer to the understanding
And true service of each other;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
ENDS
Notes to editors
Plough Monday is the traditional start of the farming year, and follows Plough Sunday, when many churches hold special services to pray for farmers and farming. Plough Sunday services are traditionally the first Sunday after Epiphany (on 7th to 13th January) although some churches will mark Plough Sunday and Monday at a different time. For details of worship for seasons and festivals of the agricultural year, see http://www.churchofengland.org/media/41161/tsagyear.pdf.
Information: Howard Dobson, 0207 898 1456