The CCF, as so many, were shocked and saddened by the news of the tragic and untimely death of Labour MP Jo Cox yesterday.
On Friday evening the CCF took part in a vigil in Parliament Square at 6.30pm with the Archbishop Justin Welby, Baroness Sal Brinton, Christians in Parliament and Christians in Politics. We felt it particularly important to stand with our Christian brothers and sisters from across the parties at this critical time to pray for Jo's family, our MPs and the nation.
This was followed by a solemn and moving service in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft with Parliamentarians. The service was led by the Speaker's Chaplain, Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin.
The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi has never been so poignant and relevant in these times of darkness and sadness.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
Jesus is light and our source of hope. He said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)