We have, within the last few years, added something new in our Prayer Chapel, Vigil Candles.
If you are not familiar with them, Vigil Candles are an extra way of praying. Long after our attention has moved on to other things, a lit Vigil Candle symbolizes the intention of our love for God in Christ and the presence of our request before heaven. When used in prayer, a candle can show our persistence and continual desire to be with God, and to listen for God’s will. In the lighting of candles we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." In the lighting of candles we not only pray, but our prayers become smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ.
Of course, Vigil Candles are nothing new. The use of vigil lights as an adjunct to worship goes back to the beginning of the early Church, and even farther. Among the Jews the use of lights had long been looked upon as part of public prayer to God. A Vigil Candle left burning is a symbol of prayer, saying that we would like to be there praying to God, but must be elsewhere at the moment.
The Vigil Candle symbolically represents our desire to continually pray without ceasing for a certain need or petition. Long after we must leave the Chapel or Church to do our duties, the candle remains, signifying our intention of continual prayer.
We would love to be able to devote our whole lives to be in constant prayer with our blessed Lord? But with the work of maintaining a Mission, this is impossible. However, the flame of a burning Vigil Candle is there to symbolize our intention to be constantly in prayer, to pray without ceasing, for the needs of others. The burning candle becomes like a prayer in itself, denoting our intent and desire to be at prayer, even at times when this is not possible.
We would consider it an honor to light a Vigil Candle for you and to pray for your personal intentions or needs (which are kept in strict confidence). All prayers requests, whether with or without a Vigil Candle, are kept confidential, and placed in special secure prayer shelves in our Chapel and in our Church during our Worship Services.
Please let me know if you would like one of the Prayer Children to light the Vigil Candle for you along with your Prayer Request.
In the Service of the Good Shepherd,
Rev. Dr. Stephen Post
If you are not familiar with them, Vigil Candles are an extra way of praying. Long after our attention has moved on to other things, a lit Vigil Candle symbolizes the intention of our love for God in Christ and the presence of our request before heaven. When used in prayer, a candle can show our persistence and continual desire to be with God, and to listen for God’s will. In the lighting of candles we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." In the lighting of candles we not only pray, but our prayers become smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ.
Of course, Vigil Candles are nothing new. The use of vigil lights as an adjunct to worship goes back to the beginning of the early Church, and even farther. Among the Jews the use of lights had long been looked upon as part of public prayer to God. A Vigil Candle left burning is a symbol of prayer, saying that we would like to be there praying to God, but must be elsewhere at the moment.
The Vigil Candle symbolically represents our desire to continually pray without ceasing for a certain need or petition. Long after we must leave the Chapel or Church to do our duties, the candle remains, signifying our intention of continual prayer.
We would love to be able to devote our whole lives to be in constant prayer with our blessed Lord? But with the work of maintaining a Mission, this is impossible. However, the flame of a burning Vigil Candle is there to symbolize our intention to be constantly in prayer, to pray without ceasing, for the needs of others. The burning candle becomes like a prayer in itself, denoting our intent and desire to be at prayer, even at times when this is not possible.
We would consider it an honor to light a Vigil Candle for you and to pray for your personal intentions or needs (which are kept in strict confidence). All prayers requests, whether with or without a Vigil Candle, are kept confidential, and placed in special secure prayer shelves in our Chapel and in our Church during our Worship Services.
Please let me know if you would like one of the Prayer Children to light the Vigil Candle for you along with your Prayer Request.
In the Service of the Good Shepherd,
Rev. Dr. Stephen Post