Church of England launches redundancy prayers (for people made 'redundant' from financial crisis)

The Times (U.K.) / Various ^ | January 5, 2008 | Ruth Gledhill

[Stoat]

The Church of England today published new prayers for people affected by redundancy as the recession bit and thousands of employees returned to work not knowing if their jobs were secure.

A second prayer intercedes for those affected by "survivor guilt" when their colleagues are sacked, in recognition that the end of the season of goodwill will this year be a baptism of misery for many.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has forecast that at least 600,000 people could lose their jobs this year.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who is seeing the effect of the downturn on farmers in his northern province, told The Times: "As we face the unprecedented global financial turbulence and economic downturn, it is crucial that the Church offers the opportunity for prayer, reflection, and care. Let us all bear each other's burdens as God in Jesus Christ has for us. We are bidden to pray and care without ceasing."

The "prayer on being made redundant" is intended to put into words the anxieties of those who are losing or who have already lost their jobs.

"Redundant - the word says it all - useless, unnecessary, without purpose, surplus to requirements," it begins, laid out on the page in the form of a step poem to add dramatic effect.

[Stoat]

Also:

Church of England publishes prayer for the redundant - Telegraph

An earlier "Prayer for the Current Financial Situation", published online during September's crash in the finance world, has been viewed more than 30,000 times.

Meanwhile senior clerics within the Church have made a series of high-profile condemnations of the excesses of capitalism.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that the crisis shows that Karl Marx was partly right, and has likened Gordon Brown's plan for Britain to spend its way out of recession to "an addict returning to a drug".

Several senior bishops have also delivered a damning assessment of Labour's record, the growing gap between rich and poor and the false dream of an endless economic boom.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, has declared that "capitalism died" last year because of the credit crisis.

 

'Useless, unnecessary, without purpose, surplus to requirements' - The comforting new prayer for the jobless Mail Online

Prayer On Being Made Redundant
 

Redundant - the word says it all - useless, unnecessary, without purpose, surplus to requirements,

Thank you, Heavenly Father, that in the middle of the sadness, the anger, the uncertainty, the pain, I can talk to you,

Hear me as I cry out in confusion, help me to think clearly, and calm my soul,

As life carries on, may I know your presence with me each and every day. And as I look to the future, help me to look for fresh opportunities, for new directions,

Guide me by your Spirit, and show me your path. Through Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Amen.

Prayer for Those Remaining in the Workplace:

Life has changed: Colleagues have gone - redundant, out of work. Suddenly, what seemed so secure is now so very fragile,

It's hard to know what I feel: Sadness, certainly. Guilt, almost, at still having a job to go to, and fear of the future,
 

Who will be next? How will I cope with the increased pressure of work?
 

Lord Jesus, in the midst of this uncertainty, help me to keep going, to work to the best of my ability,

Taking each day at a time and taking time each day to walk with you,f or you are the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Amen.

[ClearCase_guy]

Is this really necessary? Do we need this? Hasn’t this already been taken care of?

[bobjam]

I don’t see anything wrong with payers for people who have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing their jobs. It’s a frightening prospect.

[x_plus_one]

The language is way new-agey.