Aidan Evening Prayer From ©The Community of Aidan and Hilda

Opening As we thank you for the life and witness of Aidan, and for the inheritance of the saints which you invite us to share we pray: Open our eyes to your presence, Open our ears to your call, Open our hearts to your love, May you be our All in all. When Aidan came to a new people he put his trust in God and chanted many psalms:

Those who trust in God are like a mountain that lasts for ever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem so you surround your people. The rule of wickedness shall not prevail in the land you give to the godly. Do good, O God, to those who are good, to those whose hearts are true.

Aidan chose the tidal island of Lindisfarne as his monastic mission base: Christians and creatures joined in its rhythms of praise. The following may be said, sung or listened to. Ebb tide, full tide, praise the Lord of land and sea; barren rocks, darting birds, praise God’s holy name! Poor folk, ruling folk, praise the Lord of land and sea; pilgrimed sands, sea-shelled strands, praise God’s holy name!

Fierce lions, gentle lambs, praise the Lord of land and sea; noble women, mission priests, praise God’s holy name! Chanting boys, slaves set free, praise the Lord of land and sea; old and young and all the land, praise God’s holy name! Old Testament reading Isaiah 61:1–3

Aidan went out with faith-sharing teams to tell the people the good news of Christ. He listened to the people, gave money to the poor, and bought slaves their freedom. We are told that Aidan was ‘above anger and greed’. Let us confess the seeds of anger and greed that still lie within us. Silence Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy.

New Testament reading Luke 6:17–20 There may be singing. Intercession While Aidan was on retreat on Farne Isle he saw that an invading tyrant’s forces looked set to destroy the king’s headquarters by fire, and thus the Christian mission, too. He raised his hands to heaven and said, ‘Lord, see what evil he does.’ The winds changed, the horses panicked, and the troops fled. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Let us intercede for victims of tyranny today. See, Lord, what destruction is being wrought on your world … examples may be given

Blow your winds, may the destroyers change or retreat. See, Lord, those abused at home, bullied at school, and exploited at work… examples may be given Blow your winds, May the destroyers change or retreat. See, Lord, the refugees, asylum seekers and victims of war. Blow your winds, may the destroyers change or retreat. Victims of tyranny may be named.

Aidan neglected nothing taught by your apostles. Remind us of your word, your will, your ways which we have come to neglect. Aidan rejoiced when the rich gave their food to the poor. Teach us that there is enough for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed. Aidan used gifts of money to buy the freedom of slaves. Heal the scars of slavery, and free those enslaved today. Aidan knit together in a commonwealth of love once- hostile peoples of four races. Knit together in your love the peoples of our world.

Closing Aidan brought the light of Christ to brighten a dark land. Help us to pass on that light to warm cold hearts, to illumine ignorant minds, to guide straying feet.