Rogation Days are four days stretching from the fifth Sunday of Easter until the Wednesday before the Feast of the Ascension (always a Thursday). This year, Rogationtide is May 22-25.
As a tradition, Rogationtide originated in Vienne, France after several natural disasters decimated the region. The local Bishop declared a season of prayer for protection for and provision through the land. Surrounding communities quickly realized the wisdom of committing their fields and pastures to the Lord and the 'tide spread rapidly.
Though many of us now work in cities with our minds rather than in fields with our hands, we recall that our labors are not in vain. God made us to work and to steward his creation (including our minds and the vast systems of information that are the extraordinary result human innovation). Rogationtide is an annual reminder of this holy tasking, the sanctification of our labor, and our care for the physical, created world is deeply meaningful and honors God’s original design for humanity.
Pray
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give us all a right satisfaction in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Rogation Days
Sing
The best hymn for Rogation Day(s) is “O Jesus Crowned with All Renown.” This beautiful song was penned by Edward White Benson who is perhaps most famous for being the architect of the traditional Lessons & Carols service.
While this is a wonderful old hymn, it is not a popular old hymn so finding a version for you has proved challenging. However, it is sung to the “Kingsfold” tune (which you may recognize from the hymn “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.”) I'll include the lyrics at the bottom of this email for you along with a nice instrumental version of “Kingsfold” to sing along to!
Prayer Walk
In England, Rogationtide was most notably celebrated by the “beating of the bounds.” When churches were constructed and assigned based on a parish model (ie: when people were assigned a home church based on their geographic location), priests would lead their congregations in a procession around the boundaries of their parish, praying for its protection in the coming year. At the stone boundary markers which noted a Parish's border, they would beat the markers with willow branches.
While most of us no longer attend a geographical parish whose bounds we can beat, we do inhabit neighborhoods, schools, and office buildings. These are our mission fields - our neighbors, friends, classmates, and colleagues. Consider the places you spend most of your time and think through the needs of the community that shares that place. Then…
Take a walk - alone or with your family - and pray over these places. Ask the Lord…
- to be at work in all who inhabit these spaces
- to turn the hearts of the people of your neighborhood / city / office / school / etc. towards him
- to be at work in you that you might be a faithful witness to all those God has called you to love
- to abundantly provide for the needs of your community (get specific if you can!)
- to bless the work of your hands and the hands of those who work alongside you
- to reconcile the hearts of neighbors (students / colleagues / etc.) to one another
- to protect your community from evil
Sing (Part II)
Lyrics
1. O Jesus, crowned with all renown, since thou the earth hast trod, thou reignest and by thee come down henceforth the gifts of God. Thine is the health and thine the wealth that in our halls abound, and thine the beauty and the joy with which the years are crowned.
2. Lord, in their change, let frost and heat, and winds and dews be given; all fostering power, all influence sweet, breathe from the bounteous heaven. Attemper fair and gentle air the sunshine and the rain, that kindly earth with timely birth may yield her fruits again:
3. That we may feed the poor aright, and, gathering round thy throne, here, in the holy angel's sight, repay thee of thine own: That we may praise thee all our days, and with the Father's Name, and with the Holy Spirit's gifts, the Savior's love proclaim.
