Intercessions from Classical Anglican Sources

A General Intercession from Classical Anglican sources

Below are two versions of a series of intercessions (to be used in daily prayers, particularly in the Daily Office, after the Collects towards the end of the service) compiled from various seventeenth century English sources. This is a good example of the language, spirit, and concerns of Classical Anglican prayer.

Traditional Language

Remember, O Lord, thy Holy Catholic Church throughout the world; where it is in error correct it; where it is in superstition purify it; where it is wanting supply its needs; especially have mercy upon the branch of thy Church which thou hast planted in this land, our mother of whom we were born to thee.

Turn thee again, thou Lord of Hosts: look down and visit this vine.

Remember, O Lord, our spiritual fathers and brethren: the bishops, priests, and deacons, who throughout the world rightly divide the word of truth.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints sing with joyfulness.

Remember, O Lord, all those who travel, all those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, bonds, imprisonment, and who from their affliction call upon thee, and have none else to help them.

Save them, O God, for thy Name’s sake, and avenge them in thy strength.

Remember, O Lord our God, the spirits of all flesh who have departed this life in thy faith and fear, whom we remember, and who are forgotten upon earth, from Abel, thy just servant, until this present day. Grant them, O Lord, refreshment, light, and peace, in the land of the living, in thy kingdom, the bosom of Abraham, where sorrow, and pain, and sighing are banished away, where the light of thy countenance ever shineth, and thou dost wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.

And to us thy servants, hoping in the multitude of thy mercies, grant that the end of our lives may be peaceful, and dear in thy sight. Gather us under the feet of thine elect, when thou wilt and as thou wilt, only without shame and sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, thine only-begotten Son, in whom thou art well pleased, with whom thou art worshipped and glorified, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, now and for ages of ages. Amen.

Contemporary Language

Remember, O Lord, your Holy Catholic Church throughout the world; where it is in error correct it; where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in want, supply its needs; especially have mercy upon the branch of your Church which you have planted in this land, our mother of whom we were born to you.

Turn again, O Lord of Hosts: look down and tend this vine.

Remember, O Lord, our bishops, priests, and deacons, who throughout the world rightly proclaim and teach the word of truth.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and your saints sing with joyfulness.

Remember, O Lord, all those who travel, all those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, constraint, imprisonment, and who call upon you in their affliction with no one else to help them.

Save them, O God, for your Name’s sake, and relieve them in your strength.

Remember, O Lord our God, the spirits of all flesh who have departed this life in your faith and fear; those whom we remember, and those who are forgotten upon earth, from your just servant Abel until this present day. Grant them, O Lord, refreshment, light, and peace in your kingdom, where sorrow, pain, and sighing are banished away, where the light of your countenance always shines, and where you wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.

And to us your servants, hoping in the multitude of your mercies, grant that the end of our lives may be peaceful and precious in your sight. Gather us under the feet of your elect when you will and as you will, only without shame and sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, your only-begotten Son, in whom you are well pleased, with whom you are worshipped and glorified, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and for ages of ages. Amen.