330 – Before a Service of Worship
Open thou our lips, O Lord, and purify our hearts, that we may offer thee a service worthy of thy holy Name.
331 – After a Service of Worship
Sanctify, O Lord, both our coming in and our going out; and grant that when we leave thy house we may not leave thy Presence, but be thou ever near unto us and keep us near unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
332 – After a Service of Worship
O God, in whose will is our peace; preserve us in our going out and coming in, from this time forth for evermore.
333 – After a Service of Worship
Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, that the words we have said and sung with our lips, we may believe in our hearts, and steadfastly show forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
334 – After a Service of Worship
Grant, O Lord, that as we leave thy house we may not leave thy presence, but walk in thy paths all the days of our life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
335 – After a Service of Worship
O God, who makest us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of thy Son our Lord: Vouchsafe us this day such blessing through our worship of thee, that the days to come may be spent in thy service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
336 – After a Service of Worship
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dolt promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.
337 – After a Service of Worship
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
338 – Before Preaching
O Lord, Who on the mount didst preach to Thy disciples, enable me, I pray Thee, rightly to deliver Thy message to Thy people. Open their ears, that they may hear the words which belong unto eternal life. Enlighten my mind and grant me simplicity of utterance. Deliver me from the fear of man, and from all self-seeking, pride and vain-glory. O living Word of God, speak in me and speak by me, to Thy Father’s glory, and the salvation and sanctification of Thy people.
339 – Before Preaching God’s Word
O Lord, I humbly place myself before you, for you have made me what I am, and have called me to do what I am trying to do. I have no words to say that have any worth, except those that you give me to say. Help me to hear your words, enable me to speak your words, and help this people to hear them, that the Living Word of Christ may be truly spoken, really heard, and actually grafted in our hearts.
340 – Before Preaching a Sermon
O God, our Father, who hast called sinful men to speak forth the saving truth of thy holy Gospel, help me now, I beseech thee, to be a faithful messenger to the people thou hast committed to my charge; give me honest conviction, clear speech, and a pure intention, to thy great glory and the salvation of souls; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
341 – A Prayer Before the Sermon
O God, grant me grace to speak thy word faithfully and without selfish concern. I have tried to prepare this message for thy children so they may receive the saving life of our Lord. But my efforts have been marred by the desire to win the applause of those who listen. Now in this moment before I speak, turn my thoughts again to the needs of these children and thy will for their lives. Father, I need thy forgiveness if my words are to be thine. Speak through my weakness and pride to the souls of those present, that they may know and receive the saving strength of Jesus Christ our Lord.
342 – A Private Prayer After Preaching
O Lord God, heavenly Father, I thank thee that thou hast given me the grace and the courage to stand before this people and to try to speak to them thy words. If anything good was said, I thank thee for enabling me to say it; if no good thing was said, I beseech thee to forgive the weakness, the deafness, and the disobedience of thy servant. All honor, glory and majesty be eternally ascribed unto thee, and shown forth in the world through thy holy Church and the lives of all thy faithful people in the Body of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord and Saviour.
343 – After Preaching
O God, our Father, take these feeble words of mine and make them thine; fill in the gaps of my inadequacy, forgive my pride and error, and grant that whatever was said in honesty and truth may be used for the upbuilding of thy people and the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
344 – Before the Sermon
O God, we beseech thee, make us honest moneychangers; that in rendering thine eternal Gospel in coin of the present day, we may give full value for that which we have received; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
345 – Before the Sermon
O God, our great companion, lead us day by day deeper into the mystery of thy life and ours, and make us interpreters of life to our fellows.
346 – Before the Sermon
O God, forasmuch as’ without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
347 – Before the Sermon
O Lord Christ, who, when thine hour was come, didst go without fear among those who sought thy life: Grant us grace to confess thee before men, without arrogance and without fear, that thy holy name may be glorified.
348 – Before the Sermon
Come, Holy Spirit, come: come as the wind and cleanse; come as the fire and burn; convict, convert, consecrate our lives, to our great good and thy great glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
349 – Before the Sermon
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that thy word only may be spoken and thine only received; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
350 – Before the Sermon
Open our hearts, O God, enlighten our minds and kindle our spirits; that we may receive and transmit the gift of thy love, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
351 – After the Sermon
And now to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost be ascribed, as is most justly due, all might, majesty, dominion, power and glory, world without end.
352 – After the Sermon
Pardon what we have been, sanctify what we are, order what we shall be, that thine may be the glory and ours the eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
353 – After the Sermon
O Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly; for Thine own sake.
354 – After the Sermon
O Thou, who art the light of the minds that know thee, the life of the souls that love thee, and the strength of the wills that serve thee; help us so to know thee that we may truly love thee, so to love thee that we may fully serve thee, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
355 – Before the Holy Communion
O God, who alone canst guide our feet into the sanctuary of thy presence: Make ready, we beseech thee, our hearts to receive the sacrament of that love whereby thy Son hath redeemed us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
356 – Before the Holy Communion
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast ordained this holy Sacrament to be a pledge of thy love and a continual remembrance of thy passion: Grant that we, who partake thereof by faith with thanksgiving, may grow up into thee in all things, until we come to thy eternal joy; who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God, world without end.
357 – Before the Holy Communion
Visit, O Lord, we pray thee, and cleanse our consciences, that thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, when he cometh, may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself; who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Spirit, one God, world without end.
358 – Before the Holy Communion
Most gracious God, incline thy merciful ears unto our prayers, and enlighten our hearts by the grace of thy Holy Spirit: that we may worthily approach thy holy Mysteries, and love thee with an everlasting love.
359 – Before the Holy Communion
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire,
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One;
That through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
360 – Before the Holy Communion
Grant, O Father, that when we receive the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, coming to those holy mysteries in faith, and love, and true repentance, we may receive remission of our sins, and be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
361 – Special Intention
O God, grant that seeking thee I may rejoice in thee; let me not wander from thy presence, nor leave untaken any grace thou willest for me; give ear, I beseech thee, to the special prayer I wish to offer with this Eucharist (for —— ), (that —— ); and as I ask thy blessing on myself, I ask it likewise on all who pray with me and on thy whole Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
362 – A Short Form of Preparation for the Holy Communion
O God, thou art my God, I have no good like unto thee: and I desire to come to thee in thy house and at thine altar, to do my bounden duty and service in obedience to Christ’s command.•
O God, I do not come alone, but as a member of Christ, and with his Church, the household of the faithful: that I, with them: and they, with me and all of us in him may be strengthened for answering thee rightly in our lives.•
O God, as I come before thee in thy sanctuary, let me thoughtfully recall thy will: let me give thee honor and receive thy help through Jesus Christ: and let me gratefully resolve to do thy will better day by day, not trusting in myself but in thee.•
O God, although I have no good like unto thee, I have forgotten thee more than I have remembered thee; often I have followed my own way: neither loving thee nor loving others as I should, nor walking by thy truth, nor with a steady faith in thee; and with sorrow for my sins of every kind I ask thy forgiveness for Jesus’ sake, that my soul may be cleansed.•
O God, hear the special prayer I wish to bring thee in this Eucharist, (for ——), (that ——) and grant, O Lord, above all else, that we who come to bless thee and be blessed by thee may be made of one mind in the Church, thy household, to spread the kingdom of thy good among men.•
O God who knowest me in my best and in my worst, make clean my heart and turn it toward thee in loving prayer and praise.
363 – After the Holy Communion
Almighty and ever-living God, we most heartily thank thee that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people. And we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
364 – After the Holy Communion
O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst 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 to it that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
365 – After the Holy Communion
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful sacrament has left unto us a memorial of thy passion; Grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the Sacred Mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
366 – After the Holy Communion
O God, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread; Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold thee in all thy works; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
367 – After the Holy Communion
O God, who hast ordained the sacrament of the altar; Grant that with honorable and faithful lives we may guard the holy flame of thy presence, which thou hast given us in these sacred mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
368 – After the Holy Communion
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.
369 – After the Holy Communion
O God our heavenly Father, whose we are, and whom we seek to answer rightly, abide thou within us in the might of thy grace, that we may show forth thy praise not only with our lips, but in our lives, in love and truth and faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end.
XXII – CHURCH (LOCAL)
—370— 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.
371 – True Religion
O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, visit, we pray thee, this Congregation with thy love and favour; 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.
372 – For Our Parish
O Almighty and Everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear our prayers, and grant unto us in this Parish and Congregation all things that are needful; strengthen and confirm the faithful; visit and relieve the sick; bless and protect the children; turn and soften the wicked; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of thy truth; and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within thy holy Church, to the honor of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
373 – For Our Parish Church
O God our Heavenly Father, make the door of our Parish Church wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship and a Father’s care; and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride, and uncharitableness. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling- block to children, to weak or straying feet; but rugged and strong enough to turn back the tempter’s power. O Heavenly Father, make the door of our Parish Church a gateway to Thy eternal Kingdom. Bless every member and worker in our Parish. May all that we do be to Thy Honor and Glory, the upbuilding of our Parish, and the extension of Thy Kingdom. May we continue to be Thine forever and daily increase in Thy Holy Spirit of love and service to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
374 – A Parish Prayer
Father of all mankind: We pray that to this church all thy children may ever be welcome. Hither may the little children love to come, and young men and maidens to be strengthened for the battle of life. Here may the strong renew their strength and win for their life a noble consecration. And hither may age turn its footsteps to find the rest of God and light at eventide.
Here may the poor and needy find friends. Here may the tempted find succor, the sorrowing find comfort, and the bereaved learn that over their beloved death has no more dominion
Here may they who fear be encouraged, and they who doubt have their better trusts and hopes confirmed.
Here may the careless be awakened to a sense of their folly and guilt, and to timely repentance.
Here may the oppressed and striving souls be assured of the mercy that triumphs over sin and receive help to go on their way rejoicing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
375 – For the Every Member Canvass
Prosper, O Lord, our effort to enlist thy children in loving ministry to thy world family. Help us to see that we are unworthy of thy blessings unless we share them with others. May we feel the high privilege of Christian stewardship, and count it joy to aid in speeding thy messengers; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
376 – For Faithfulness in the Use of This World’s Goods
Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess; Grant us grace that we may honour 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.
377 – For Proper Stewardship
Almighty God, the source of all that we can have, and all that we can hope for,
Grant that we may be worthy custodians of the earth in which we dwell.
Make us creative so that we will not burden others;
Make us conservative so that we will not squander what comes our way;
Make us perceptive so that we may properly weigh our necessities against the needs of others;
Make us generous so that we may give freely of what we have that others can enjoy a portion of our fortune.
Remove from us all trust in anything but thee;
Strengthen us in the knowledge that thou wilt always provide all that we really need;
And finally, by thy Grace, instill in us that perfect desire to be thy servants and ultimately to be with thee in thy Heavenly Kingdom,
Who reignest forever and ever, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
378 – For Lay Readers
Look, we beseech Thee, merciful Father, upon those whom Thou hast called to be readers in Thy Church; and grant that they may be so filled with Thy Holy Spirit that, seeking only Thy glory and the salvation of souls, they may preach Thy Word with steadfast devotion, and by the constancy of their faith and the innocency of their lives may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour in all things; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
379 – For a Preaching Mission
O most loving Father, who hast revealed thyself to men in the person of thy Son Jesus Christ, that all thy children may walk in close fellowship with thee; bless the Mission being undertaken in thy Name at St. —— Church. Grant that it may open many hearts to thy Spirit and bring many minds to a clearer understanding of thy truth and purpose for us; use the efforts of our Missioner, and all who help with the Mission, for thy glory and the strengthening of the life of thy family, the Church. Make the light of thine Incarnate Word to shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
380 – For a Mission
Almighty God, who didst send thy Son into the world to save sinners and to lead us into the way of righteousness, bestow thy blessing, we beseech thee, upon our endeavour to bring souls to thee through this Mission and draw us ourselves to deeper consecration. May thy Holy Spirit inspire him who shall speak thy word, convince the indifferent, convert the wayward, and in all of us renew the will to do thy will and to continue steadfastly in thy service in the fellowship of thy holy Church, until thy will is done on earth as it is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
381 – Church Extension
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast taught us that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that to whom much is given, of them shall much be required: pour out upon us the spirit of Thine own abundant giving; that as we have received the Churches in which we worship, we also may freely give, that others may enjoy a like inheritance, and become partakers with us in the fellowship of Thy Church; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
XXIII – CHURCH (GENERAL)
382 – 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.
383 – 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 raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and all things are returning to perfection through Him through whom they took their origin; even through our Lord Jesus Christ.
384 – For the Church
Almighty God, whose mercy is over all thy works: We praise thee for the blessings which have been brought to mankind by thy holy Church throughout all the world. We bless thee for the grace of thy Sacraments, for our fellowship in Christ with thee, and with one another; for the teaching of the Scriptures and the preaching of thy Word. We thank thee for the holy example of thy saints in all ages; for thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, and for the memory and example of all that has been good and true in their lives. And we humbly beseech thee that we may be numbered with them in the great company of the redeemed in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
385 – For the 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, yet in conquering might, to win mankind to the love of thy Name; through our only Saviour Jesus Christ.
386 – 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.
387 – Unity of Spirit
O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head cornerstone; Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
388 – Power Among All Peoples
Grant, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end.
389 – All Estates of Men
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
390 – For Those in Religious Communities
Blessed Lord, who didst call thy disciples to follow thee in the way of sacrifice, we remember before thee those who have forsaken the natural pleasures and ambitions of life to devote themselves entirely to prayer and service of thy holy Church. In their poverty, chastity and obedience be thou their wealth, their strength and stay, that in all things they may please thee and show forth thy glory before all men.
391 – For Brotherhood
O God, who showeth forth thine almighty power in mercy and compassion, and in whose love men may live together in brotherhood; blessed is he who loveth thee, his friend in thee, and his enemy for thy sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
392 – The World-wide Church
Eternal Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named: Unite us, as we worship Thee here, with all who in far-off places are lifting up their hands and hearts to Thee; that Thy Church throughout the world, with the Church in heaven, may offer up one sacrifice of thanksgiving; to the praise of Thy Holy Name: through Jesus Christ our Lord.
393 – Our Common Birthright
O God our Father, and Father of all men, from whom all come, to whom all at last return: Bind together Thy children everywhere with the bond of mutual love, that they may claim in Thee their common birthright, and find in Thee their common service; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
XXIV – MISSIONS
394 – The Church in All the Earth
Almighty God, whose compassions fail not, and whose loving-kindness reacheth unto the world’s end; We give thee humble thanks for opening heathen lands to the light of thy truth; for making paths in the deep waters and highways in the desert; and for planting thy Church in all the earth. Grant, we beseech thee, unto us thy servants, that with lively faith we may labour abundantly to make known to all men thy blessed gift of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
395 – This Thy Family
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.
396 – All Who Know Thee Not
O merciful God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
397 – For the Heathen
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