Prayer Service for Women's Ordination on the

17^th Annual World Day of Prayer - 25 March 2011

Created by Women's Ordination Worldwide, Liturgy Committee

Opening Prayer

God of Surprises,
   you call us

   from the narrowness of our traditions
             to new ways of being church
   from the captivities of our culture to
             creative witness for justice
   form the smallness of our horizons
              to the bigness of your vision              
                                                                                   
Clear the way in us, your people,
that we might call others to freedom and renewed faith
and that all might know the beauty and power and danger of the gospel, especially through the ministerial witness of women who, with their many gifts, can bring healing to a suffering church and people. [1]

Scripture Reading

The Inclusive Bible - Romans 16:1-7

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchrea.  Welcome her, in the name of our God, in a way worthy of the holy ones, and help her with her needs.  She has looked after a great many people, including me.

Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila; they were my coworkers in the service of Christ Jesus, and even risked their live for my sake.  Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.  Remember me also to the congregation that meets in their house....

My greetings to Mary, who has worked hard for you, and to Andronicus and Junia, my kin and fellow prisoners; they are outstanding apostles, and they were in Christ even before I was.        

Reflection

Space to share your own thoughts.

Closing Prayer

Ever present God; open the hearts and minds of all people, and inspire us all to use the unique gifts you have given us for loving service to each other. We pray especially now, for those women whose gifts are best suited to serve your Church as ordained deacons and priests. Empower them with courage as they answer your call and strengthen them for humble service, great compassion, and insightful wisdom. Support them through their ministries and enlighten the leadership of your Church to practice the equality that Jesus modeled to embrace all women and men whom you have gifted for sacramental service. Strengthen your Holy Spirit within those you have chosen for ordained ministry. May they answer your call and follow you with generous hearts.  We ask this in the name of Jesus, who called Mary Magdalene and Phoebe - as well as Peter and Paul - to be ministers in the early Christian communities.  Amen

Founded in 1996, Women's Ordination Worldwide (WOW) is an international network of groups whose mission is the admission of Roman Catholic women to all ordained ministries. WOW is founded on the principle of equality and therefore opposes any discrimination. 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus'. (Galatians 3:28)

[1] (Drawn from a prayer written by Gwen Cashmore and Joan Puls in 1992. It is based on 'Hanta Yo', a Lakota Sioux invocation meaning 'Clear the Way'. With additions from Sue Williamson.)