Prayer is a great unifying experience for
Christians. In prayer we acknowledge our common humanity, with all our
frailty and foibles. In prayer we also proclaim our dependence upon our
Creator God. Prayer changes us. When the disciples asked the Lord about
prayer, they asked, “teach us to pray;” not, “teach
us how to pray.”
The Lord’s Prayer
Our father in heaven, may your name be hallowed; your
kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
today our daily bread. Forgive us the wrong we have done, as we forgive
those who have wronged us. And do not put us to the test, but save us
from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9 ff Revised English Bible.)
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
A Prayer of St. Augustine
O Lord, you have created us for yourself and our souls are restless until they fine rest in you.
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there
is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Where there is despair, let me
sow hope. Where there is darkness, let me sow light. Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled, as to console: To be
understood, as to understand. Grant that I may not seek so much to be
loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in
pardoning, that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to
eternal life.
A Prayer from the Celtic Church
O Christ, thou master carpenter, who, at the last,
purchased our whole salvation with wood and nails, wield well your
tools in the workshop of your world, so that we, who come rough-hewn to
your bench, may be fashioned to a truer beauty by your hand. We ask it
for your name’s sake.
A Prayer of Soren Kirkegaard
Teach me, O God, not to torture myself, not to make a
martyr out of myself through stifling reflection, but, rather, teach me
to breathe deeply in faith.
The Reverend Brian Dixon is pastor of the church. His ministry began in 1999.
Brian is a native of Northern Ireland. His
theological education was taken at Andover Newton Theological School.
His undergraduate studies were at York University, Toronto. In
addition, he received the M.A. degree from Boston College.
Prior to entering the ministry, Brian worked as a
carpenter, then, later, served an apprenticeship in the trade of
‘Fitter.’ He continues to be active athletically. He is an
avid cyclist and hiker. He played rugby for many years. Brian points
out three vital aspects of his life that prepared him for ministry: his
experiences being a member of a large family, working in the business
world, and participating in various the athletic arenas.
