The Book of Common Prayer
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The Churchpeople's Prayer Book (1935)

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Family Prayer

It was the pious custom of our forefathers to assemble the Church in their house for united prayer and praise.
This witnessed to their faith in God, and to their dependence upon him, and proved a fruitful source of blessing to the home.

Family Prayer was not a substitute for Public Worship or for Private Prayer, and the family that honoured God in their own house was foremost in honouring him in his House on Sundays.

If the custom of Daily Family Prayer were adopted on any large scale we should witness a great revival of true religion in our midst.

It is desirable that the head of the household should act as Reader, and that the others should take their part by saying the responses aloud.

The Reader chooses a suitable portion of Holy Scripture, or one of the Psalms.

The table of Lessons [pages 550-574] provides Lessons for every day in the year.

Under the headings Occasional Prayers [pages 37-53) and Occasional Thanksgivings [pages 56-60] will be found numerous prayers and thanksgivings suitable for family use.

 

 

First Form of Family Prayer

For Morning Use

Bible Reading

A portion of Holy Scripture may be read.
At its conclusion the Reader says,

Here endeth the Lesson.

The Reader says.

O GOD, thou art my God, early will I seek thee. In the morning I will direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Let us pray.

Here may follow the Collect for the Day.
see pages 307 to 467.

O ALMIGHTY Father, Giver of every good and perfect gift, who hast created the light and made the light of thy truth to shine in our hearts: Help us to walk as children of the light, that we may have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

O LORD our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen

Thanksgiving

WE give thee thanks, Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, who hast been pleased to bring us through the night to the hours of morning. We pray thee to grant us grace to pass this day without sin, so that at eventide we may again give thanks to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

All say with the Reader.

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.

Reader.

O GOD, who art present in every place: Look down with thy mercy upon those whom we love now absent from us, give thine Angels charge over them to keep them in all thy ways, so that they, with us, may be partakers of thine everlasting kingdom ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Answer. Amen.

 

  

Second Form of Family Prayer

For Morning Use

Bible Reading

A portion of Holy Scripture may be read.
At its conclusion the Reader says,

Here endeth the Lesson.

The Reader says.

We will remember thy presence, O God,
And lift up our hearts unto thee,
To God the Father, to whom we pray,
To God the Son, through whom we pray,
To God the Holy Ghost, in whom we pray.

Thanksgiving

WE thank thee, Heavenly Father, for thy love in creating us, and for taking care of us all through our life, and especially during the past night. Blessed be thy holy Name for ever.

Intercession

MERCIFUL Lord, we pray for all mankind, that every human being may realise thy mighty love, and live according to thy laws.
    We pray for thy holy Church throughout all the world, and especially for the Church in this land; for our Bishop, and for the Clergy and people of this parish.
    Bless our home, and all the members of this family and household. Grant us purity of heart, meekness of spirit, and charity of speech, that we may walk worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Give us courage to face our daily duties, and diligence to perform them. Bless our friends and bless our enemies, and create within us the spirit of penitence that we may be forgiven; through the merits of Christ 1esus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Answer. Amen.

Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Answer. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.

All say with the Reader.

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.

Reader.

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and evermore.
Answer. Amen.

 

  

Third Form of Family Prayer

Bible Reading

A portion of Holy Scripture may be read.
At its conclusion the Reader says,

Here endeth the Lesson.

Reader. We praise thee, O God;
Answer. We acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
Reader. All the earth doth worship thee,
Answer. The Father everlasting.
Reader. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ;
Answer. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Reader. Thou sittest at the right hand of God;
Answer. In the Glory of the Father.
Reader. Day by day we magnify thee;
Answer. And we worship thy name, ever world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.

Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Answer. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.

All say with the Reader.

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.

Reader.

Let us pray for the Family.

MERCIFUL Saviour, who didst love Martha and Mary and Lazarus, blessing their home with thy sacred presence: Bless, we beseech thee, this our home, that thy love may rest upon us, and that thy promised presence may be with us. May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of thee, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Teach us to love one another as thou didst give us commandment. Help us to choose that better part which shall not be taken away from us. Hear us, O Jesu, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest One God world without end. Answer. Amen.

Here may follow further prayers and thanksgivings.
see pages 31 to 60.

Let us pray for Faithfulness.

REMEMBER, O Lord, what thou hast wrought in us, and not what we deserve and as thou hast called us to thy service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

THE Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore.
Answer. Amen.

 

 

Fourth Form of Family Prayer

Bible Reading

A portion of Holy Scripture may be read.
At its conclusion the Reader says,

Here endeth the Lesson.

The Reader says.

COME, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful people, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be made, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

MOST Holy and Adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, we believe that thou art here present; and with all our hearts we worship and adore thee.

All say with the Reader.

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.

Prayer for Pardon

O LORD, we beseech thee, merciful1y hear our prayers, and spare all those who confess their sins unto thee; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by thy merciful pardon may be absolved; through Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

Reader. Praise the Lord, O my soul:
Answer. And all that is within me praise his holy Name.
Reader. Praise the Lord, O my soul;
Answer. And forget not all his benefits.
Reader. Who forgiveth all thy sin:
Answer. And healeth all thine infirmities.
Reader. Who saveth thy life from destruction:
Answer. And crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness.
Reader. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Reader.

O GOD, who makest the name of home to sound like music in Our ears: We thank thee for the simple joys of family life; for purity and discipline, for love made perfect by sacrifice; beseeching thee that those whose lives are nurtured in faith may abound in hope and charity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.
Answer. Amen.

 

  

Fifth Form of Family Prayer

Suitable for Friday

Bible Reading

A portion of Holy Scripture may be read.
At its conclusion the Reader says,

Here endeth the Lesson.

Reader. O holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God;
Answer. Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners.
Reader. That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word;
Answer. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Answer. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.

All say with the Reader.

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.

Reader.

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee gra­ciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men and to suffer death upon the cross who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.

O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights: Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness and true holiness, to thy honour and glory: who livest and relgnest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
Answer. Amen.

O LORD Jesus Christ, we beseech thee by the power of thy love even for the outcast sinners, by thy strong pity for those who put thee to an open shame; have mercy on all who have been unfaithful to thee, and have sold themselves to sin, and draw them back from the depths of shame into which they have fallen; hear us, O Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Answer. Amen.

Reader. O Saviour of the world, who by thy Cross and precious blood hast redeemed us;
Answer. Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Reader. May the Lord be with us always.
Answer. Amen.

 

 

 

Sixth Form of Family Prayer

For Evening Use

Bible Reading

A portion of Holy Scripture may be read.
At its conclusion the Reader says,

Here endeth the Lesson.

Suitable Evening Psalms
Psalm 4; Psalm 31. 1-6; Psalm 91; Psalm 134.

The Reader says,

ABIDE with us, O Lord, for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent.

MAY our evening prayers ascend up unto thee, O Lord, and thy mercy descend upon us.

Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.
Answer. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Reader. Lord, have mercy upon us.

All say with the Reader.

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.

Reader. Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers;
Answer. To be praised and glorified above all for ever.
Reader. Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
Answer. Let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
Reader. Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven;
Answer. To be praised and glorified above all for ever.
Reader. The Almighty and most merciful Lord guard us and give us his blessing.
Answer. Amen.

All say with the Reader.

WE confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through our own grievous fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.

Reader.

ALMIGHTY God, have mercy upon us, forgive us all our sins and deliver us from all evil, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

Reader. Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, O Lord;
Answer. That thy people may rejoice in thee.
Reader. O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
Reader. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin;
Answer. O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
Reader. O Lord, hear our prayer;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

Let us pray.

The Reader says at least three of the following Collects:

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Answer. Amen.

O LORD Jesus Christ, son of the living God, who at this evening hour didst rest in the sepulchre, and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy people: Make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of thy passion, that when our bodies lie in the dust, our souls may live with thee; who Jivest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Answer. Amen.

VISIT, we beseech thee, O Lord, this place, and drive from it all the snares of the enemy; let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

LOOK down, O Lord, from thy heavenly throne, illuminate the darkness of this night with thy celestial brightness, and from the Sons of light banish the deeds of darkness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

BE present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may repose upon thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Answer. Amen.

O LORD, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in thy mercy, grant us safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

SAVE us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping: that awake we may be with Christ, and in peace may take our rest. Answer. Amen.

Reader. We will lay us down in peace and take our rest;
Answer. For it is thou, Lord, only that makest us dwell in safety.
Reader. Let us bless the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
Reader. The Almighty and merciful Lord the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless us and keep us;
Answer. Amen.

 

  
 

 

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