Abbey responds to call for prayer by the Patriarch of Jerusalem

The Patriarch has urged Christians to recite Psalm 23 in prayer every Friday, beginning this week on Good Friday.

In response, the Abbey will this week recite Psalm 23 in addition to the usual Matins psalmody set for Good Friday. On subsequent Fridays, the psalm will be prayed during the 12:30pm Eucharist celebrated in the Nave.

The text of Psalm 23 is provided below.

'Let us pray together for peace and reconciliation'

His Beatitude Theophilos III said:

'From the heart of the Holy City of Jerusalem, the place of Jesus Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, we urge all Christian people throughout the world to join me reciting in prayer Psalm 23 every Friday, beseeching the Lord for his gift of peace. As we approach the great feast of Pascha/Easter, let us pray together for peace and reconciliation, between nations, in our homes and in our hearts. As we reflect upon the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us ask God our Good Shepherd to lead his world into peace.'

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.