Prayers for Protection by Canon Ellen

​Whilst we have been on lockdown I have been enjoying the view from our front room windows. I am very fortunate to live opposite our amazing cathedral and quite frankly I could sit and stare at it all day! I also get to walk around it with our dogs and can stand and look intently at the details of the stonework and quirky features the stonemasons included in the finishes. At every turn there are idiosyncratic aspects and you can get fascinating insights into the concerns of the people who built the remarkable prayerful powerful cathedral on the hill.

During the Second World War the Dean and Chapter feared for the cathedral (indeed the Dean is reported to have slept in the cathedral to keep fire watch). It’s prominence on the skyline and its importance to the city meant that it would surely have been a prime target. But, it never got a direct hit – However, as the shrapnel marks on the Lady Chapel can demonstrate, there were a lot of close calls. Sadly, there were a few hits to local homes and our house was built on the spot where the previous house was completely destroyed and the household all perished.

It must have been a frightening time, a time of uncertainty, of fear and concern for the future. I am sure there were many prayers said for the protection of the cathedral but more importantly for the prayers of the people in the cathedral company, the city and the diocese.

We at Liverpool Cathedral are praying today - in this time of uncertainty and fear - for the protection of the cathedral company, the people of the city and the people of this diocese and region. Every single one of us is being prayed for – from the safety of our homes - we are praying for protection.
Loving God protect us and surround us with love.
 
We are not people of fear:
we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
we are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
giving and loving,
wherever we are,
whatever it costs
For as long as it takes
wherever you call us.
Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference
  
The photo is of a grotesque that is carved into the stone of the cathedral. It faces the house that was destroyed during the Second World War. It features a character wearing a gas mask. 

​Canon Ellen

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While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

And check out the following calendar of services this Holy Week (Links will be posted individually):

Holy Week Reflections and Services 
 
Holy Saturday:
Vigil Prayers and Night Prayer by National Cathedral Precentors
 
Easter Sunday:             
10.30am Service for Easter Day, Bishop Paul preaching