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A call for prayer from the office of the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop

This content was published more than 10 years ago. Some information may no longer be current or accurate.

Published on 
November 3, 2016

The Rev. Canon John Floberg, Presiding Priest on the Standing Rock territory issued a call for 100 clergy to come and stand with the Water Protectors; to pray and give witness to the Gospel at Standing Rock. They are trying to stop an oil pipeline that runs close to their territory and has already disrupted ancient burial grounds. A leak in the pipeline, and this is certainly possible, threatens clean water not only for Standing Rock but for all near the Missouri River and its tributaries. As of today, over 400 clergy are traveling to Standing Rock, among them is Bishop Mark. We ask you to join with us in prayer with special intention for the clergy gathering tomorrow. Pray that good minds will prevail and that all will be safe. Pray with sage, sweet grass, cedar, tobacco or whatever you use in your prayers. Pray this prayer, written by the Rev. Brandon Mauai, Dakota Sioux from Standing Rock:

Creator of all things living. On these lands of our people, our relatives and family, we ask you to be present. On these lands of our ancestors, we ask for your guidance. On these lands of our future generations, we ask for your protection. In all the chaos, humble our hearts and calm our minds. Draw us nearer to you, and build us up to stand in the shadows cast upon us. Strengthen us mentally, so that we might never scare. Strengthen us physically, so that we might stand for however long, to fight the good fight without waiver. Cast your breath upon us, and breathe our people back to life. Centuries have now passed, and now we stand – For all ages, races, and living creatures. Now we stand, for All Life.  This we ask, humbly and with humility, in your name. Amen.

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.