Jim Flanagan is one of the finest men I have ever had the privilege of knowing. His devotion to country, church and family is only exceeded by his devotion and love of our Lord. He is nearing the end of his time here on earth after a long fight with many assorted challenges. I ask your favor in praying to God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that Jim might make it beyond Christmas and have a safe passing home. Hap
A Prayer for our dear friend, Bishop James Flanagan who lies near death even as we pray:
I offer hearwith a special prayer for a cherished friend and persevering servant of the Lord, Bishop James Flanagan:
“I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.” Gospel of St. John 11:25-26
Our friend and fellow servant, Bishop James Flanagan, has grown weary and near that blissful sleep in both body and spirit and may all asleep in the Lord at any moment, so, I wish to offer prayers to the Lord our God that His perfect will be made manifest in these remaining days, or hours, of the life of our cherished friend, +James.
“O MOST merciful God, who, according to the multitude of thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them no more; Open thine eye of mercy upon this thy servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by his own carnal will and frailness; preserve and continue this sick member in the unity of the Church; consider his contrition, accept his tears, assuage his pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for him. And forasmuch as he putteth his full trust only in thy mercy, impute not unto him his former sins, but strengthen him with thy blessed Spirit; and, when thou art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy favour; through the merits of thy most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Traditional Book of Common Prayer
To the above Communal Prayer, I add my own prayer for our brother, +James:
Most gracious and merciful Heavenly Father who inhabitest the hearts of thy people everywhere and for all eternity future, thou art the Lord God who made this world, the universe, and all the heavenly bodies thereof – and the sun to rise for our day and to set for our sleeping, and thou art our Maker and Redeemer who hast granted us the privilege and blessing of belonging to thy Holy family from henceforth and forever; we come before thee in both sorrow and joy at this Holy Season seeking thy gracious will to be done in the life of our friend and brother, +James Flanagan. He has suffered long and in patience from a besetting illness from which he has not been able to recover, and in his simple heart of love, he prays to celebrate this last Christmas with family. Though we would cherish his complete recovery and continuance of life and service, we also know that thou art the God of all mercy and wisdom, and we accept, with joy, whatever thy will may be for +James, whether it be thy will to recover him of his illness or send thy Holy Angels to escort his soul to thy bosom as thou didst with the Beggar Lazarus. In any case, we ask thay thou wouldst comfort the friends and loved ones of +James to bear in patience with him his suffering or, else, to mourn in both sorrow and understanding that thy will is always perfectly executed in thy love and care of the souls of thy elect people. We ask that thou wouldst make our will comform to your perfect will in every case, for we ask it in the Holy Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Jerry L. Ogles DD, Presiding Bishop Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
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