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The Book of Common Prayer | ||||||
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| PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS Upon several occasions, to be used before the two final Prayers of the Litany, or of Morning and Evening Prayer. |
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ADDITIONAL PRAYERS UPON SEVERAL OCCASIONS
Before any or each of these prayers may be said, At the New Year. O IMMORTAL Lord God, who inhabitest eternity, and hast brought us, thine unworthy servants, to the beginning of another year: Pardon, we most humbly beseech thee, our transgressions in the past, and graciously abide with us all the days, of our life; guard and direct us in all trials and temptations, that by thy blessing we may grow in grace as we grow in years, and at the last may finish our course with joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. On New Year’s Day. O SAVIOUR of the world, who as on this day wast called JESUS, according to the word of the Angel: Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, the gracious promise of that holy Name, and, of thy great mercy, save thy people from their sins; who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. PRAYERS
WHICH MAY BE SAID ON ROGATION DAYS. For fruitful seasons. ALMIGHTY God, Lord of heaven and earth, in whom we live and move and have our being, who makest the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendest rain on the just and on the unjust; We beseech thee at this time favourably to behold thy people who call upon thee, and to send thine abundant blessing upon the earth that it may bring forth its fruits in due season, and that we, being filled with thy bounty, may ever. more give thanks unto thee, the giver of all good through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen. O ALMIGHTY God who hast created the earth for man, and man for thy glory: Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people; and be mindful of thy covenant; that both the earth may yield her increase, and the good seed of thy word may bring forth abundantly, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For a blessing on Fisheries. O ALMIGHTY God, who madest the sea, and gayest all that moveth therein for the use of man: Bestow thy blessing, we beseech thee, on the harvest of the waters that it may be abundant in its season; protect from every peril of the deep all fishermen and mariners, and grant that they may with thankful hearts acknowledge thee, who art Lord of the sea and of the dry land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For a blessing on Local Industries. O ALMIGHTY Father, who through thy Son Jesus Christ hast consecrated labour to the blessing of mankind: Prosper, we pray thee, the industries of this place; defend those who are engaged therein from all perils, and grant that they may rejoice in the fruits of thy bounty, and bless thee for thy loving-kindness, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For
the Conversion of the Jews. O GOD, the God of Abraham, look upon thine everlasting covenant, and cause the captivity of Judah and Israel to return. They are thy people; O be thou their Saviour, that all who love Jerusalem and mourn for her may rejoice with her; for Jesus Christ’s sake, their Saviour and ours. Amen. For the Conversion of Mohammedans, and all who know not Christ. ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father,who in thy goodness hast caused the light of the Gospel to thine in our land; Extend thy mercy, we beseech thee, to the nations of the world that still walk in darkness. Enlighten the Moslems with the knowledge of thy truth; and grant that the Gospel of salvation may be made known in all lands, that the heart of the peoples may be turned unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the conversion of the Heathen. O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and didst send. thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that nigh: Grant that the people who sit in darkness and the shadow of death may feel after thee and find thee; and hasten, O Lord, the fulfilment of thy promise to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O
GOD of all the nations of the earth, remember the multitudes of the heathen,
who, though created in thine image, are ignorant of thy love, and, according
to the propitiation of thy Son Jesus Christ, grant that by the prayers
and labours of thy holy Church they may be delivered from all superstition
and unbelief, and brought to worship thee; through him whom thou hast
sent to be our Salvation, the Resurrection and the Life of all the faithful,
the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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For Missionaries in Distant Lands.
O GOD our Saviour, who willest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth; Prosper, we pray thee, our brethren who labour in distant lands, [especially those for whom our prayers are desired]. Protect them in all perils by land and sea; support them in loneliness and in the hour of trial; give them grace to bear faithful witness unto thee; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness, and finally obtain a crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Home Missions. O LORD Jesus Christ, thou good Shepherd of the sheep, who didst come to seek and to save that which was lost; We beseech thee to be present in thy power with the Missions of thy Church in this our land. Shew forth thy compassion to the helpless, enlighten the ignorant, succour those in peril, and bring home the wanderers in safety to thy fold; who livest and reignest with the Father. and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. For the Church. O GOD of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favourably on thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and by the tranquil operation of thy perpetual providence carry out the work of man’s salvation, and let the whole world feel and see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things are returning to perfection through him from whom they took their origin, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Unity of Christendom. O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst say unto thine apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant unto all Christian people that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. The prayer for Unity in the Accession Service may also be used. For Fair Weather. For use at times when the prayer for Fair Weather in the Book of Common Prayer seems less suitable. ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who art the author and giver of all good things; Look, we beseech thee, in thy loving-kindness upon us :thine unworthy servants, and grant to us at this time such fair weather that we may receive the fruits of the earth in their season, to our comfort and the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen. For Synods of the Church, Provincial or Diocesan. To be said on the Sunday. and following days immediately preceding the meeting of the Synod, and on the morning of each day while the Synod is in session. O ETERNAL God, the fountain of all wisdom, who didst send thy Holy Spirit to lead the disciples into all the truth; Vouchsafe that he being present with thy servants, the Bishops [or Bishop] and Presbyters about to assemble [or now assembled] in the Synod of this province [or diocese], may so rule their hearts and guide their counsels that in all things they may seek only thy glory and the good of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Representative and Consultative Church Councils. To be said on the Sunday preceding the meeting, and daily during the session. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh wisdom and understanding; Be present, we humbly beseech thee, with thy servants about to deliberate [or assembled to deliberate] in Council upon those things that make for the maintenance, well-being, and extension of thy holy Church; and grant that they, seeking only thy honour and glory, may be guided in all their consultations to perceive the more excellent way, and may have grace and strength to follow the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. During the vacancy of a Bishopric in the Scottish Church, to be said up to the day of the election. ALMIGHTY God, the giver of every good gift, bestow at this time, we humbly beseech thee, thine especial blessing upon the Presbyters and Lay-electors of the diocese of — [or of this diocese] about to assemble for the election of a Bishop; and grant unto them in their deliberations the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that by thee they may be guided to the choice of a chief pastor who shall minister before thee to the glory of thy holy Name, the good government of the flock committed to him, and the welfare of thy whole Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. During the vacancy of a Pastoral Charge. O GOD, who knowest the needs of thy people in every place; Look graciously at this time this church and congregation; and give to them a faithful pastor, who may serve before thee in all diligence and lowliness of heart, and, by thy blessing, bring many souls to the joys of thine eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This prayer may also be used at meetings of Patrons during a vacancy. |
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For
those about to be confirmed.
O GOD, who through the teaching of thy Son Jesus Christ didst prepare the disciples for the coming of the Comforter; Make ready, we beseech thee, the hearts and minds of thy servants who at this time are seeking the gifts of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands, that, drawing near with penitent and faithful hearts, they may be filled with the power of his divine through the same Jesus Christ our Amen. For Festivals of Church Choirs. O GOD, in whose Temple at Jerusalem were appointed singers and those skilled in instruments of music to set forth thy praises; Be present, we beseech thee, with us thy servants, and grant that in this our service we may worship thee in spirit and in truth, and at last be found meet to glorify thy Name in thy Temple which is on high; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Primary Schools. O HEAVENLY Father, whose blessed Son hath said, Suffer the little children to come unto me; Prosper with thy blessing the work of all who labour for the instruction and up-bringing of the young in virtue and true godliness; grant that as the minds of thy children are enlightened with knowledge, so their hearts may be daily drawn to the love of thee and of thy only Son, our Saviour. And this we beg for the sake of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Universities, Colleges, Schools, and other places of learning. ALMIGHTY God, of whose only gift cometh wisdom and understanding; We beseech thee with thy gracious favour to behold our universities, colleges, and schools, that the confines of knowledge may be ever enlarged, and all good learning flourish and abound; bless all who teach and all who learn; and grant that both teachers and learners in humility of heart may look ever upward unto thee, who art the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. For Theological Colleges. O GOD who, through thy Holy Spirit, dost illuminate the minds and sanctify the lives of those whom thou dost call to the work of pastors and teachers; Look with thy Favour upon all colleges for the instruction and discipline of those who are to serve in the sacred ministry of thy Church; bless those who teach and those who learn, that they may apply themselves with such diligence to the knowledge which is able to make men wise unto salvation, and submit themselves with such ready obedience to the law of thy Son our Saviour, that they may fulfil their ministry with joy; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the supply of Candidates for the Ministry of the Church. O LORD Jesus Christ, whose servants Simon Peter and Andrew his brother did at thy Word straightway leave their nets to become fishers of men; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to those whom thou dost call to the sacred ministry of thy Church, that they may hear thy voice, and with glad hearts obey thy call; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. For the Forces of the King, in his Navy and Army. O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the sailors and soldiers of our King in every peril, both of sea and land; shelter them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them ever with loyalty and courage; and grant that in all things they may serve as seeing thee who art invisible; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. During a Parliamentary election. MOST
gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for this Kingdom in general,
so especially for those who at this time are called to elect representatives
to serve in the High Court of Parliament; Grant that all things may be
so ordered and settled by theft endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations,
that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be
established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries,
for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and
Mediation of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. |
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During Municipal and other elections.
ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom; Guide and direct, we humbly beseech thee, the minds of all those who are called at this time to make choice of fit persons to serve in the ——. Grant that in the exercise of their choice they may promote thy glory and the welfare of this city [or town or county or parish]. And this we beg for the sake of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. For Hospitals for the Sick. ALMIGHTY God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people: Continue, we beseech thee, his gracious work among us in the hospitals and infirmaries of Our land; console and heal the sufferers; grant to the physicians and surgeons wisdom and skill, and to the nurses diligence and patience; prosper their work, O Lord, and vouchsafe thy blessing to all who give of their substance for its maintenance; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the recovery of a sick person. ALMIGHTY and immortal God, giver of life and health; We beseech thee to hear our prayers for thy servant N., for whom we implore thy mercy, that by thy blessing upon him and upon those who minister to him of thy healing gifts, he may be restored, if it be thy gracious will, to health of body and mind, and give thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Workmen and the Employers of Labour. O GOD, who in thy providence hast appointed to every man his work; Assuage, we humbly beseech thee, all strife and contention between those who are engaged in the labours of industry and those who employ their labour; deliver both masters and workmen from all greed and covetousness; and grant that they, seeking only that which is just and equal, may live and work together in brotherly union and concord, to their own well-being, and the prosperity of this realm: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For brethren and friends in other lands. ALMIGHTY Father, who art present in thy power in every place; Give ear in thy loving-kindness to the supplications which we offer unto thee on behalf of our brethren and friends in distant lands; may thy mighty hand shield and protect them from all evil; may thy Holy Spirit guide them in the right way and bless their going out and their coming in; and grant that, being united by our fellowship with thee, we may all at the last be gathered in the home which is above; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For those who travel by sea. O ALMIGHTY God, whose way is in the sea, and whose paths are in the great waters; Be present, we beseech thee, with our brethren in the manifold dangers of the deep; protect them from all its perils; prosper them in their course; and bring them in safety to the haven where they would be, with a grateful sense of thy mercies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We praise and magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course in thy faith and fear; and we most humbly beseech thee that, at the day of the general resurrection, we, and all they who are of the mystical body of thy Son, may be set on his right hand, and hear that his most joyful voice, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, O merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. O ALMIGHTY God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus, the manifold blessings of thy love, that the good work which thou didst begin in them may be perfected unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly Father, vouchsafe that we, who now serve thee here on earth, may at the last, together with them, be found meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of the same thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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THE BIDDING PRAYER
LET us pray for Christ’s
Holy Catholic Church throughout the world, especially for the Churches
of Great Britain and Ireland; for all Christian Sovereigns, Princes and
Governors particularly our Sovereign Lord King GEORGE, over all
estates of men in these his dominions supreme; for our gracious Queen
Mary, for Alexandra the Queen Mother, for Edward
Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family; for the ministers of God’s
holy Word and Sacraments, especially for N. Bishop of this diocese
and all the clergy of the same; for the great Council of the nation [now
in Parliament assembled], for the Nobility, Judges, and Magistrates of
the realm, * OUR
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy
will be done, in earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against
us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine
is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. |
Return to the 1912 Scottish Book of Common Prayer
| Web author: Charles Wohlers | U. S. • England • Scotland • Ireland • Wales • Canada • World |
especially
for the [Lord] Provost and Magistrates of this ancient [and royal] city
[or burgh]: that all these in their several callings may serve
truly and faithfully to the glory of God and the edifying and well governing
of his people, remembering always the strict and solemn account which
they must give before the judgement seat of Christ And for all other subjects
of this realm, let us pray that they may live in the true faith and fear
of God, in dutiful obedience to the King and brotherly charity one to
another. And that there may never be wanting a supply of fit persons to
serve God in Church and State, let us pray for a blessing on our universities
[especially on . . . . . . . .], and on all colleges and schools, especially
on the Theological College of our Church, that in these and in all places
set apart for God’s honour and, service true religion and sound
leaning may ever nourish and abound. [
2And
let us give thanks to Almighty God for all his servants, both living and
departed, who have given of their substance or service towards the founding,
building, maintenance, and adornment or institution of this church3
;
and especially are we bound to remember . . . . . . . . . .]