Old South Church is porous ... permeable to and with the world. Our Doors are opened wide. Our Sanctuary is free and open to the public seven days a week. Indeed, today’s sudden, drenching outbursts of rain swept umbrella-less pedestrians under the shelter of our Portico and into the Sanctuary. And then there is our Prayer Box. Like the Wailing Wall we provide a sacred crevice through which visitors are welcome to slip pieces of paper on which they have penned petitions, thanksgivings and confessions.
Below are a handful of prayers I took from the Prayer Box today.
Let us pray:
- For my beloved father who perished three years ago. May his soul still rest in peace.
- May all of my family and friends be healthy and happy.
- I pray for my enemies.
- Thank you, Dear God, for my new baby!!!! I love her so much. Help me to be a good, good parent.
- I need help from God to face a few Big Life Challenges. -JM
- Please heal Marco.
- My father really needs your help God. Please help him.
- Prayers for JKK who is dying of cancer.
- I pray that EC’s court case will be dismissed. Please God.
- My God, please protect my mother and help my husband to get a job. Thank you so much. I need you. –J
- Oh God, Heavenly Father, you know we are so close to foreclosure. Help us keep our home. –K
I pray for peace on earth, for an end to wars and killing, for harmony among people and religions.
Such are the petitions, thanksgivings and confessions that these walls absorb every day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. Each tiny prayer sheet is as a window into the lives of those who walk on Boylston Street as residents, workers, students, medical patients or tourists. Old South Church is porous. Such is the blessing of place ... of ministry on this precious corner of Boylston Street and Dartmouth, Copley Square, Boston ... the hub of the hub.