Lenten Reflections on Suffrages A
I will confess to having more trouble with intercessory prayer than most folks I meet. I recognize that it’s scripturally-enjoined and -approved, and I do pray for things and people, etc. But, whenever I stop, I always feel like I’ve missed praying about something really important so it’s hard to stop once I start. And I always end up with ‘Thy Will Be Done’, and trusting God to do what’s best for… whatever… so, it’s weird for me, but I still do it.
One thing I find very helpful in this regard (among many) is the BCP Office of Morning Prayer. Suffrages A, in particular, help me feel as though I’ve covered all the most important bases. Suffrages are ancient call and response petitions and our BCP has suffrages originating from both Byzantine and Latin liturgical practice. Suffrages A find their roots in the Sarum Missal developed in Salisbury Cathedral before the Reformation.
This Lent, I will reflect on each of the petitions and responses of Suffrages A. Perhaps someone else out there struggles with intercession as I do. Perhaps my reflections on this part of the Daily Office will encourage others to adopt a practice that has steadied my soul during stressful times, and help them to feel God’s love for them.
