For the Church Service League
Almighty God, who art the Light of the minds that know thee, the Joy of the hearts that love thee and the Strength of the lives that serve thee; Help us so to know thee that we may truly love thee, and so to love thee that we may joyfully serve thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Gelasian Sacramentary
A Prayer for the Whole Church
O Eternal God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst establish the family of thy Church in all the world; Breathe upon it anew the gifts of thy Holy Spirit, that, awakening to thy command, it may go forth in lowly service and in conquering might to win mankind to the love of thy Name; through our only Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Bishop Slattery
For the Church
O Lord Jesus Christ, true Light that lighteth every man; Be present with thy holy Church throughout all the world; that, enlightened and guided by thy Holy Spirit, she may walk in the paths of wisdom; and amid the darkness and ignorance of this present world may show forth thy light and thy truth; for the glory of thy Name, whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost together, we worship and glorify, world without end. Amen.
A Prayer for the Diocese
O God, whose love reacheth unto the ends of the world; Bless, we pray thee, this diocese; and grant that all who share its benefits may show forth thy glory by deeds and by gifts for the spread of thy Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Slattery
For the Church
O Lord Jesus Christ, head of the mystical body, thy Church, of which we are the members, cleanse our eyes to see for thee, quicken our ears to hear for thee, open our lips to show forth thy praise, give our hands skill to do what thou biddest, make our feet swift to go whither thou guidest that thy Kingdom may come and thy will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, and all for thy Love’s sake. Amen.
Bishop Brent
For the National Council
Almighty God, giver of wisdom, who never failest them that seek thee; Control and enlighten, we beseech thee, the hearts and minds of the National Council of thy Church; grant them insight and skill, faith and obedience to thy holy will, that being themselves led of thee, they may by thy Spirit, lead thy people on from strength to strength in the work of thy Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Church
O God, our Shepherd, give to the Church a new vision and a new charity, new wisdom and fresh understanding, the revival of her brightness and the renewal of her unity; that the eternal message of thy Son, undefiled by traditions of men, may be hailed as the good news of the new age; through him who maketh all things new, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Percy Dearmer
For the Church
O God, our Father, we pray for thy Church, which is set today amid the perplexities of a changing order, and face to face with new tasks. Baptize her afresh in the life-giving spirit of Jesus. Bestow upon her a greater responsiveness to duty, a swifter compassion with suffering, and an utter loyalty to the will of God. Help her to proclaim boldly the coming of the Kingdom of God. Bid her cease from seeking her own life, lest she lose it. Make her valiant to give up her life to humanity; that, like her crucified Master, she may mount by the path of the cross to a higher glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Church
O God, pour thy Spirit upon thy Church. Give to us deeper consecration, more steadfast purpose, an increase of faith and of courage. Help us to be thy faithful servants and disciples; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Bishops of the Diocese
O Heavenly Father, look down in mercy, we beseech thee, upon thy servants our Bishops, to whom thou hast given charge over this Diocese; fill them with thy grace and goodness; direct, defend, and comfort them in all their arduous labors; give them a people responsive to their leadership, loyal and loving, and grant that they, and all committed to their care, may continually glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Church
Almighty and eternal God: We humbly pray thee for thy Holy Church throughout the world; that we and all its members being inspired with living faith and love, may earnestly strive to promote the honor due to thy dear Son, and the gathering of wanderers into his fold. Give us grace to fulfill in our lives what we profess with our lips. Deliver us from false doctrine and slackness of living; and grant that, persevering unto the end, we may obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Parish
Almighty God, pour thy heavenly grace, we beseech thee, upon our Parish Church; Grant to its officers a vision of its greater work; and to every member of the same give the will and strength to bring this vision into life; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Bishop Slattery
For the Church
O God, of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favorably 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 built up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are returning to perfection through him from whom they took their origin, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.
For the Church’s Ministry
Almighty God, who dost send thy messengers to prepare the way before thee; Endue with the power of the Holy Spirit all who go forth to preach and speak in thy name. Touch their hearts; enlighten their minds; cleanse and instruct their lips; give them a clear vision of thy will and purpose for the whole world, and through their voice do thou call back thy Church to simpler discipleship, readier obedience, and more loving service; through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Woman’s Auxiliary
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, bless, we pray thee, our work for the extension of thy Kingdom, and make us so thankful for the gift to us of thy beloved Son, that we may pray fervently, labor diligently and give liberally to make him known to all nations as their Saviour and their King; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Parish
O God, our heavenly Father, graciously behold this congregation. Bind together its members with cords of friendliness and sympathy. Give us the vision of our common duty to Church and State and make us glad and strong in the doing of it. By all the memories of a great past, rouse us to hear the calls of the present. Grant wisdom, courage and patience to our leaders, and fill us all with the spirit of loving service; that whatsoever we do in word or deed may be done in the Name of the Lord Jesus, through whom we offer this our prayer. Amen.
A Book of Offices
For a Rector’s Anniversary
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be ministered unto but to minister; We give thee hearty thanks for the ministry of thy servant who, through —— years, hath given his life for a blessing to this thy flock. We praise thy name for the lovingkindness which hath bound his heart to the hearts of this people, for his sympathy in time of joy, for his courage in time of failure, for his confidence in thee and thy promises in time of darkness and sorrow, and for his vision and aspiration in time when men must find their work and go forward to do it. Most of all, O Lord, we thank thee that, walking with him day by day, thy children have drawn closer to that Good Shepherd who is the joy and peace of the whole world, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Bishop Slattery
For the Church
O Gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldest be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer
For the Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Almighty God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay; Grant unto us all that we, being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up ourselves obediently to fulfill thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Order of Sir Galahad
Almighty God, who didst raise up knights of old to serve and bravely to strive for right and truth; Make, we pray thee, all members of the Order of Sir Galahad constant in helpfulness, obedience, truth, chivalry, and service, that they may be strong to do thy will and evermore honor thee as knights of the present day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the United Thank Offering
O Lord, our Heavenly Father, we pray thee to send forth more laborers into thy harvest, and to grant them thy special grace for every need. Guard and guide the workers in the field, and draw us into closer fellowship with them. Dispose the hearts of all women everywhere to give gladly as thou hast given to them. Accept, from grateful hearts, our United Thank Offering of prayer and gifts and joyful service; and bless it to the coming of thy Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Church Periodical Club
Bless, O Lord, we pray thee, the Church Periodical Club, that it may be an instrument of service in thy hands. Grant to its officers wisdom and patience, to its members perseverance and the spirit of sharing that asks no return. Bring many more to take part in its activities. Bless our gifts and those who receive them, to the enriching of individual lives and to the growth of thy Kingdom throughout the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Our Work
O God, give us a pure heart, a clear mind, and a steadfast will, that all our work may be to the honor of him who hath honored us with his love and fellowship, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
H. S. Nash
Prayer of The Daughters of the King
O Eternal Father, who has sent us thy Son to teach us things pertaining to thy Heavenly Kingdom; give thy blessing, we beseech thee, to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world; vouchsafe that we, thy Daughters, ever may discern thy truth, and bear the Cross, through the battles of our earthly life; give us strength to overcome temptation, and grace that we may strive to spread thy Kingdom and to gather thy dispersed sheep within thy fold; pour out upon us the seven-fold gift of thy Holy Spirit, that we may never forget that it is thy work which we are called upon to do, that we may think nothing, do nothing and say nothing which may injure ourselves, our neighbor or thy Holy work. We ask it all for his sake, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Young People’s Fellowship
O God, our Heavenly Father, in life’s morning we come to thee for guidance through its entire day. Help us always to follow Jesus in the paths of righteousness. Walking in his footsteps may we, as he did before us, not only increase in wisdom and stature, but also in favor with thee and our fellowmen. Keep us in thy love that we may glorify thee in our labor and our life. Bless us with health and strength and purity, and give us a will to serve thee in every good work, so that we may make a better world for all people to live in here, and become worthy of thy Presence in a brighter world hereafter; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Bishop Murray
For the Guild of St. Barnabas for Nurses
O Merciful God, and Heavenly Father, we beseech thee for all who minister to the sick and suffering; and especially we pray thee for the members of the Guild of St. Barnabas for Nurses; vouchsafe to them thy protection and care wheresoever they may be, in home or hospital or mission field (or at the seat of war). Give them skill and courage, patience, love and self-control. May they bring to all who are ministered to by them the sense of thy compassionate Presence. This we ask in the name of him who healed the sick, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Our Work
O God, with whom a thousand years are as one day, and who hast called us whose lives pass as a watch in the night unto thy service; Grant that we may so do our work that it shall not need to be undone. Stay, we beseech thee, the fever in our hearts, and help us to walk in the light of thine own eternity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
H. S. Nash
For a Committee
Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to prosper with thy blessing the work of this committee. Grant that we who serve thee therein may seek only thy glory, and do that which is well pleasing in thy sight, and persevere in thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Altar Guild
O Loving Saviour, we pray thee to send thy blessing upon this Altar Guild and the work of all its members; give us thy grace that we may be loyal to thy Holy Church, and faithful in our care of holy things. Grant that as we adorn and make ready thy Altar we may learn greater love and reverence for all that belongs to thy service, and through all outward symbols come to a clearer vision of the inward and spiritual truth taught by them. We ask this for thy sake, O Blessed Lord and Master. Amen.
For the Order of the Fleur de Lis
O God, who hast called woman to a high place of honor and power in thy kingdom; Look with favor, we pray thee, upon thy handmaidens of the Fleur de Lis. Strengthen us to hold fast to the vow of stainless life. Make our loyalty to the Church generous and strong. And daily cause us to see that by serving others we serve thee. Hear our prayer, we beseech thee, through him who is our hero, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Joy and Gladness
Almighty God, at whose right hand are pleasures forevermore; We pray thee to make our religion one of joy and brightness, and to dispel from our minds all doubt and gloom. Grant that day by day our lips may be singing thy praise, and our hearts be gladdened in holy anticipation of the life that knows no ending; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Use of the Women of the Diocese
O Almighty God, who art the Guide and Support of those who serve thee; Give light to our path and strength to our hearts, we beseech thee.
Amidst pressing duties keep our thoughts high and our faith serene; before difficult problems prompt us to turn to thee for guidance; in disappointment or defeat enable us to face the future with cheer and courage; in success teach us to be grateful and humble.
Knit us together in bonds of spiritual unity, we pray thee.
When our thoughts centre upon ourselves hold before us the vision of thy great Church, the Saints, Martyrs and Missionaries of old and of today. Recall to us the victories of faith and repeat again to us the promise of thy Church Triumphant.
So we may work on confidently with thee for the coming of thy Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Lawrence
For Any Society
O God our Father, who hast called us to thy service (in ——); Give us a clear understanding of thy will and bright courage to obey; and so unite us to thyself and in thee to one another, that, knowing in our own souls the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we may proclaim with power the fellowship of all men in thee; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Westminster Prayers
For the Girls’ Friendly Society
O Lord, our Heavenly Father, we beseech thee to bless us and all who belong to the Girls’ Friendly Society. Strengthen and protect us by thy fatherly love; and vouchsafe to us the guidance of thy Holy Spirit. Help us all to bear one another’s burdens, and to live, not for ourselves, but for others, as members of one family in Christ; cleanse us from our sins, make us holy by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit, and bring us all at last to the joy of thy Heavenly Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Any Guild
O God, who knowest that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but that all our sufficiency is of thee; Assist us with thy grace in all our work for others, direct us in it by thy wisdom, support us by thy power, that doing our duty diligently we may bring it to a good end, so that it may be profitable to our own souls and tend to the greater glory of thy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Treasury of Devotion
For Travelers
O God, who ever bestowest thy mercy on them that love thee, and unto those that serve thee art always near; Direct the way of thy servants, that, thou being their protector and guide, they may finish their journey in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Grey Book
For Any Group
O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, visit, we pray thee, this class with thy love and favor; enlighten their minds more and more with the light of the everlasting gospel; graft in their hearts a love of the truth; increase in them true religion; nourish them with all goodness; and of thy great mercy keep them in the same, O blessed Spirit, whom, with the Father and the Son together, we worship and glorify as one God, world without end. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
For the Absent
O God, whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth; We humbly beseech thee graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee, may be bound together by thy love in the communion of thy Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
A Prayer of Youth
O God our Creator, help us to remember thee now in the days of our youth, and dedicate to thy service our souls and bodies, to be used as thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for Schools and Colleges
For Those Confirmed
Almighty and everliving God, who hast knit together in one communion and fellowship all those in every place who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; We heartily thank thee that, by the guidance of thy Holy Spirit, these thy servants have been led to dedicate their lives to thee in Confirmation; and we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, that through thy grace both they, and we, may ever continue in this holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Page
For the Weak and Lonely
Show thy loving kindness, O Lord, to all who stand in need of thy help. Be with the weak to make them strong and with the strong to make them gentle. Cheer the lonely with thy company and the distracted with thy solitude. Prosper thy Church in the fulfillment of her mighty task, and grant thy blessing to all who toil in Christ’s name. Amen.
Dr. John Baillie
To Be True Messengers
O God, keep our hearts sound, our lives pure, our thinking straight, and our spirits humble, that we may be true messengers of thy life to our fellow men; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Stewardship of Money
Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess; Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
For Cleansing From Pride
O Thou high and lofty One that inhabitest eternity, whose name is Holy, thou hast promised to dwell with those that are of a contrite and humble spirit; we therefore pray thee to cleanse our hearts from every stain of pride and vainglory, that though the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, yet thou mayest consent to abide with us for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Consecration
Almighty God, if we have faltered because we are afraid, and if we are afraid because we dare not face the difficult tasks to which thou art calling us, grant us serene confidence and quiet courage and indomitable perseverance, that we may face discouragement and failure and even humiliating defeat in our endeavor to consecrate our bodies, minds, and souls for the advancement of thy kingdom. We pray in the name of him who failed on Calvary, and by his failure opened unto us the gate of everlasting life, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ralph M. Harper
Closing Prayer
O God, our Father, accept our united thanksgiving and prayers, and bestow upon us thy servants who have bound ourselves together in this fellowship the gifts we ask of thee. Grant that, assisted by each other’s prayers, we may receive from thee and reveal to the world something of the deep, unselfish love first taught the world by him, the greatness of whose love and sacrifice has won and saved us all, even Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Spirit of Christ
Lord Jesus, who didst stretch out thine arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that all men might come within the reach of thy saving embrace; Clothe us in thy Spirit, that we stretching forth our hands in loving labor for others, may bring those who know thee not to the knowledge and love of thee, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest one God forever. Amen.
Bishop Brent
For the Spirit of Adventure
O Thou who art heroic love, keep alive in our hearts that adventurous spirit which makes men scorn the way of safety, so that thy will be done. For so only, O Lord, shall we be worthy of those courageous souls who in every age have ventured all in obedience to thy call, and for whom the trumpets have sounded on the other side; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Grey Book
For a Share in God’s Purpose
O God of endless years; Give to each of us, in this little day of life which remains, some share in the working out of thy eternal purposes for men. Show us where we may stand in the battle, and arm us for the fight. Fill our weakness with thy strength; touch our hearts with thy love; gird us with a measure of thy great patience, and cheer us with the confidence of final victory through thee; that so, through the life which we now live in the flesh, there may shine some token of thy presence; to our own eternal benefit and to the blessing of our fellow-men; through him who is the Captain of our Salvation, and the rich reward of those who give their lives to him, thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing Prayer
O God, our Father, have regard to our prayers, answer them according to thy will, and make us the channels of thine infinite love and helpfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
John Hunter
For the Indwelling Christ
O Christ, our only Saviour, so dwell within us that we may go forth with the light of hope in our eyes, and the fire of inspiration on our lips, thy word on our tongues and thy love in our hearts. Amen.
Adveniat Regnum
For Direction
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
For Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength; by the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
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