One of the main
reasons I work on this blog is to get various traditional Anglican prayer tools
“out there” in circulation again. While there are many new prayers being
written, and a whole host of trial/provisional/supplemental “liturgies” being
drafted and flung around in the contemporary Church, I often find that when I
introduce people to the classical prayer resources, they are amazed that
something so useful has been kept so hidden.
It is my belief that, eventually,
we are going to have to stop running from our own tradition and begin to engage
it in a more positive, organic manner. Much that is good has been forgotten and should be recovered. I hope that these and other tools found
on this blog for a grounded, rich prayer life will be found useful when that
time comes.
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Below are prayers that were once part of Morning and Evening
Prayer in the Episcopal Church’s Book of
Common Prayer. In the current (1979) U.S. version of the BCP, they have
been moved to the “Prayers and Thanksgivings” section, which while making sense has also tended to bury them, obscuring their value.
The Daily Office provides for various kinds of
intercessions and thanksgivings following the Lord’s Prayer/Suffrages/Collects near the end of the service.
While there are many options available in the Prayer Book and beyond for this, I often find it helpful to return to
these earlier prayers, especially in the summer. They are extremely
well-written, bear repeated use, and open many doors for reflection and action
in Christian life.
The first prayer is for our leaders and for all Civil
Authority, which Holy Scripture enjoins us to pray for as Christians. In our
partisan day, I think many fail to take this important duty in prayer
seriously. In its current state, our nation certainly could use it.
The second prayer is for the Church, something often taken for
granted but intensely necessary as members of a common and interrelated Body. No Christian's prayers are complete without prayer for the Church (not merely the institution, but the Church in its widest sense).
The third is a form of intercession both for the Church to witness in authentic
truth and love to the Gospel, and for the needs of others.
Taken together, they
address a wide variety of essential concerns in the Christian life. When
praying them, say the prayers slowly and with attention; in the prayer for “All
Sorts and Conditions,” space is made to bring to mind the specific concerns or
people you wish to pray for. (I have cast this latter prayer in a slightly more
modern idiom, for those wishing to use it in a Contemporary English setting). As with all ancient prayers, the focus is not on "tossing off" the prayer, but in a complete immersion in it, letting God transform us even as we offer the prayer to him.
The entire set may be concluded with the General
Thanksgiving, the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom, and the Grace as found in the
1979 BCP. It makes a rich, nuanced, and
balanced “diet” of intercession as we respond to Our Lord’s call to be a
Priestly People.
Traditional Language:
For
the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by
thy Providence, we may dwell secure
in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States,
the Governor of this State (or
Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of
truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve
this people in thy fear; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
For Clergy and People
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good
and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and other clergy, and upon the
congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy
grace; and, that they may truly please
thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our
Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For All Sorts and
Conditions of Men
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly
beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased
to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More
especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and
governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves
Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of
spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend
to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed,
in mind, body, or estate; [especially
those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please thee to comfort
and relieve them according to their
several necessities, giving them patience
under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Contemporary Language
For the President of
the United States and all in Civil Authority
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care,
that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States,
the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom
and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and
righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people
in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Amen.
For Clergy and People
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and
perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and other clergy, and upon the
congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your
grace; and, that they may truly please
you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our
Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For All Sorts and
Conditions of People
O God, the creator and preserver of all, we pray for all
sorts and conditions of people; that in your mercy you would make your ways
known to them and your saving health to all nations. Especially we pray for your
holy catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by your good
Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the
way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and
in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all
those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [especially those for whom our prayers are
desired]; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy outcome
in all their afflictions. And this
we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
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