General Prayers

The General Prayers provide alternate prayers appropriate to the seasons of the church year. The minister may select such portions as he desires for use in the general prayer of the day.

I. Advent

Almighty God, who art the hope of all the earth; we enter into thy presence with adoration and thanksgiving for the advent of thine only begotten Son in the flesh, and we pray thee to give us grace to receive him, our Savior and Lord. Help us always to wait for him, to wish for him, and to watch for him that at his coming again thou mayest find us ready.

O thou Lord God Almighty, who in thy providence hast made all ages a preparation for the kingdom of thy Son; we beseech thee to make ready our hearts for the brightness of thy glory and the fullness of thy blessing in Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that we may turn to him with all our hearts and enthrone him Lord over all in the social and economic order of which we are a part. Hasten, O God, the fulfillment of thy word that in our time thy kingdom may come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us grace, O God, that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.

We thank thee, O God, for the advent of thy holy church among men. Help us to be faithful members of the mystical Body of thy Son. Bless all to whom thou has committed the rule of thy church. Inspire her ministers with zeal, and her people with true righteousness. Cleanse, strengthen, and sanctify her evermore by thy spirit. And as there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, grant that thy people may more and more be bound together in the bonds of one faith, one hope, one love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bless, we beseech thee, Almighty God, our country and all its people. Give thine abundant grace to the President of the United States and grant that he and all who bear office throughout the land may be governed by thy wisdom and may live and labor in thy fear. Make us a people worthy of thy gracious protection and so direct us that we may strive for the peace and welfare of all mankind.

O Merciful Father, we pray thee to heal the sick, relieve the suffering, and comfort the hearts of all in sorrow or bereavement. Give them the perfect peace of those whose minds are stayed on thee. Fill thy church with compassion and healing for all the multitudes of the earth whom affliction hath overtaken and despoiled.

Almighty God, with whom do rest the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord; receive our thanksgivings for all the faithful who now rest in peace with thee; and especially for those whom we have loved on earth, and who now rest in thy heavenly presence.... Keep alive in us their memory, and sustain us in communion of spirit with them, that at last they and we may be united in the light and joy of thy heavenly kingdom.

Grant us, we beseech thee, O God, to pass the time of our sojourn here in fear, in daily watchfulness, and in prayer, ever looking for the day of thy coming to judge the world in righteousness. Give us grace that we may receive thee with gladness and join in the acclaim of the faithful: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Hear us, O thou eternal Son of the Father, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

II. Christmas

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee; we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, art most high in the glory of God the Father.

Most merciful God, who hast so loved the world as to give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life; vouchsafe unto us, we humbly pray thee, the precious gift of faith, whereby we may know that the Son of God is come and we may prepare for him room in our hearts.

O Lord God, graciously bestow thy blessing upon thy church throughout the whole world. Prosper the ministrations of all who serve thee in thy church that thy name may be glorified upon the earth. Give power to thy word that all heresy and schism may be done away. Make effectual the grace of thy sacraments that thy children may be nurtured with the cup of salvation and strengthened with the bread of heaven unto everlasting life. O send forth thy light and thy truth unto the ends of the earth; cause the glorious gospel of thy grace to be proclaimed among all nations; and incline the hearts of men everywhere that they may hear and obey thy saving word.

O God our Father, who didst send forth thy Son to be King of Kings and Prince of Peace; grant that all the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdom of our Lord. Give unto all men the grace of understanding and the spirit of reconciliation. Let those who are offended forgive, and those who have offended repent, so that thy children may live as one family, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O thou, who by giving thy Son to be born of a Virgin didst sanctify motherhood and exalt the families of earth; we pray for thy blessing upon our homes, our kindred, and our friends. Grant that in the reunions of this season all hearts may be glad and all pleasures pure. Let all children be dear to us for the sake of the holy Christ Child. Make the little ones happy in his love as they keep the festival, and to those who are older grant the blessing of childlike hearts. We pray for all who are absent from home, that they may be of one heart with us and thus rejoice with us in the birth of Christ the Lord.

God of all pity, hear us as we remember those for whom the joy of this season is shadowed: the poor, the cold, the hungry, the lonely, the depressed, and all those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Grant that we who know thy love may abound in sympathy and kindness, that having freely received, we may also freely give.

Most gracious God, our heavenly Father, fill our hearts with joy and our tongues with praise as we keep the festival of our Saviour's birth. Let the Holy Spirit come upon us, as we approach the mystery of his appearing in the flesh of a little child. Stir up in our hearts the precious gift of faith, that he may be born anew in us this day.

O God, merciful Father, vouchsafe unto us the continual help of thy grace, that we may know and confess thine incarnate Son as our true and only Lord and Savior. And grant that receiving him in childlike faith we may ever feed upon his body and blood as the true meat and drink of our souls unto everlasting life through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

III. Epiphany

O God, who by the shining of a star didst guide the wise men to behold thy Son, our Lord; show us thy heavenly light, and give us grace to follow until we find him, and finding him, rejoice. And grant that as they presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we now may bring him the offering of a loving heart, an adoring spirit, and an obedient will, for his honour, and for thy glory, O God Most High.

O Jesus Christ, Son of the Highest, who came to give light to all that are in darkness; fill us with thine own infinite love for men; and, since thou hast entrusted to us both the knowledge of thy truth and the gifts of thy bounty, help us to use them as good stewards, giving liberally, praying instantly, and working diligently, that we may be sharers in bringing all men to thy light and in hastening the coming of thy kingdom.

O God, who makest men to be thy messengers; we thank thee for those who have gone forth to preach thy gospel in distant lands. Uphold them in discouragement, protect them in danger, strengthen them according to all their needs; and by their labors and sacrifice let the good tidings of great joy be carried unto all the world.

Almighty God, who by thy Son, Jesus Christ, hast broken down the walls of partition between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, rich and poor; break down, we beseech thee, all that divides us one from another. Shame our jealousies, frustrate our pride, destroy our prejudices, and forbid that from pride of race or hardness of heart, we should despise any for whom Christ died, or injure any in whom he lives.

O God, the physician of men and nations, the restorer of the years that have been destroyed; look upon the afflictions of the world, and be pleased to complete the work of thy healing hand; draw all men unto thee and one another by the bonds of thy love; make thy church one, and fill it with thy spirit, that by thy power it may unite the world in a brotherhood of nations, wherein justice, truth, and freedom may flourish, and thou mayest be glorified more and more.

Eternal God, before whom the nations rise and fall; we pray that thy mercy and love may rest upon our native land. Give thy guidance and protection to the President of the United States and to all others who are in positions of public trust and leadership. Bring to naught the counsels of greed and wicked men, and save thy people from violence, greed, and fraud. O Lord, save the state. O Lord, save thy people, and grant unto them righteousness, unity, and peace.

O Lord our God, whose blessed Son has promised that those who follow him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life; have pity upon those afflicted by doubt or perplexity and grant that they may see the guiding light thou hast given us in Christ; and, amid the mysteries and uncertainties of life, walk by faith in him who is the way and the truth.

God of all comfort and infinite compassion, who canst turn sorrow into joy; look mercifully upon all who are in trouble, whether of mind, body, or estate, sustain and heal the sick; support and sanctify the dying; visit with thy mercy those who mourn. Pour thy divine peace into every wounded spirit, and give to each desolate soul the assurance of thy love.

Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical Body of thy Son, Christ our Lord; grant us grace so to follow thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

IV. Lent

O God, our heavenly Father, who didst so love the world as to give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; we give thanks to thee for his glorious victory over sin and the grave. We beseech thee, O God, to grant us a lively faith in him and to so unite us with him as branches to a vine that his life may be our life, and that we may ever bring forth the good fruit of righteousness through the power of his holy name.

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 will in righteousness and true holiness, to thy honor and glory, and to our eternal salvation.

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul.

O thou, who of thy great mercy didst send thy Son to seek and to save the lost; grant unto us who seek the aid of thy Holy Spirit, that our souls may be moved to penitence and humble and adoring faith, as we meditate on those mighty acts by which thou didst bring redemption to thy people.

Most gracious God, we beseech thee to preserve us from the cares of life, lest we be too much entangled therein. Keep us from being ensnared by the pleasures of this world, and from whatever may be a hindrance to holy living; give us strength to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere.

O God, who didst suffer thine only Son to be tempted, that he might be able to succor them that are tempted; we beseech thee to save us from those snares and temptations by which we are continually beset; and to strengthen us by thy good spirit that in all things we may be more than conquerors, through him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own precious blood. Hold thou before our eyes his cross that we may behold that sacred head now wounded. Awaken the careless, encourage the fearful, strengthen the faith of those who are in doubt, create in us all a right spirit, O God, that we may truly worship and obey Christ our Lord.

Hear our prayers, O Lord, for the peace of the world. Guide the rulers with thy counsel; remove from the people all prejudice and malice; and pour out thy spirit upon all flesh, that the nations may be brought into a new bond of fellowship, one with another, and together with thee. Direct our country in all its doings that we may become a blessing to all others. Lead us in the way of righteousness and peace and keep us in the time of trouble that we may ever be true to thy word and way.

We pray, O God, for thy holy catholic church throughout the world, that it may preserve pure and undefiled the faith once for all delivered to the saints, that one generation may praise thy workers to another. We pray for all who minister in holy things, and for those who bear the vessels of the sanctuary that their hands may be pure. We pray for all missionaries and for all thy people everywhere that they may stand fast in the faith and walk worthy of their Lord.

Most tender and merciful Father; we beseech thee for those who are in danger by land or sea or air; for all that are sick or suffering, and for those who draw nigh unto death; for the bereaved and the sorrowful; for such as have lost the kindly light of reason, or have fallen into despair; for those passing through worldly adversity, and any whose hearts are bitter; for such as have secret trials, and for whom the help of man is vain; and for all in affliction known to ourselves, whom we name in silence before thee. Enable them to look unto thee, O most merciful Father; vouchsafe to them present help, and, if it please thee, a speedy deliverance.

O God, the Father of the living and the dead; we praise and magnify thy holy name for all thy saints and martyrs of every age, for the whole multitude of the redeemed, and for all thy servants dear to us, who, having finished their course, have entered into the joy of thy heavenly presence. And we beseech thee that we being encouraged by their example and strengthened by their fellowship, may in the end have part with them, in the inheritance of the saints of light.

O God, who for our sakes didst give up thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ to endure the shameful death of crucifixion, that we might be delivered from the power of the devil, and be cleansed from all unrighteousness; grant unto thy servants, we beseech thee, that through his cross the body of sin may be destroyed in us, and through the power of his resurrection we may henceforth walk in newness of life; for the merits of the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

V. Easter

Praise be to thee, O Father, who didst raise up thy Son from the dead and give him glory, that our faith and hope might be in thee. Praise be to thee, O Lord Almighty, Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who as on this day by thy glorious resurrection didst bring life and immortality to light. Praise be to thee, O Holy Spirit, who dost send abroad the love of Christ in our hearts, and makest us to rejoice in the hope of glory. All praise and thanks, dominion and power be unto thee, O holy and blessed Trinity, now and forever more.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; to whom with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Spirit, one blessed Trinity, be ascribed all honor, might, majesty and dominion, now and forever.

O God, who for our redemption didst give thine only begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of the enemy; grant us to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him, in the joy of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

O thou who hast called us to be children of the resurrection; mercifully grant that whensoever in the dimness of this present life our eyes are holden that we see thee not, our hearts may burn within us and always be attentive to thy holy will, as it is revealed to us by thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

O Christ, who art the resurrection and the life; we beseech thee to grant us at this time the knowledge of thy presence. Reveal thyself to our faith. Open our minds to understand the scriptures. To those who are ashamed speak thy word of pardon. Give answer to the questioning of each wistful heart. Turn every doubt to confidence, and every sorrow into joy. Shed abroad they love in our hearts. Give us day by day victory over fear and sin and death, that setting our affections on things above, we may henceforth walk in newness of life.

Let thy mercy rest, O Lord, upon our land and nation; upon all the powers which thou hast ordained over us; that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and honesty. Rule the hearts of men in all classes and conditions and grant that none may live in vain. Rebuke the power of unbelief and arrogancy, and preserve to us the purity of thy word and sacraments that as a people we may walk in the way of liberty and righteousness, faith and peace.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son, Jesus Christ, sent forth his apostles to make disciples of all nations; fill the church throughout the world with his risen power. Pour out thy spirit on those who are called to minister in his name. As they break the bread of life to others, let their own souls be nourished and sustained. Quicken within thy people their common fellowship so that as one family they may gather about thy holy table. Increase their faith, O God, so that none go hungry away. And grant that thy people, here and everywhere, abiding in that holy fellowship, may be strengthened in the inner man until at length we all shall reach our common consummation of redemption and bliss in the glorious resurrection of the last day.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; we rejoice before thee in the blessed communion of all thy saints, wherein thou givest us also to have part. We praise thee for the holy fellowship of patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, and the whole glorious company of the redeemed of all ages, who have died in the Lord, and now live with him for evermore. We give thanks to thee for thy grace and gifts bestowed on those who have thus gone before us in the way of salvation, and by whom we are now compassed about as a cloud of witnesses looking down upon us from the heavenly world. Enable us to follow their faith, that we may enter at death into their joy; and so abide with them in rest and peace.

Almighty God, who from the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ hast caused the light of eternal life to shine upon the world; we beseech thee, that in celebrating this holy season, we may be so possessed with heavenly desires, and thy love may be so shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we may continually seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at thy right hand; and that abiding in purity of heart and mind, we may at length attain unto thy everlasting kingdom, there to dwell in the glorious light of thy presence, world without end; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, be glory forever and ever. Amen.

VI. Pentecost-Trinity

(A)

Eternal God, most blessed and most holy, before whom angels veil their faces; with lowly reverence and adoring love we acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and worship thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Father in heaven, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift; grant us thy blessing, and incline thine ear unto our prayers. Merciful Saviour, who sittest at the right hand of the Father; fulfill thine own promise, and be present with us who are gathered in thy name. O Holy Spirit, help our infirmities, and enable us to worship in the beauty of holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God of all peace and consolation, who didst gloriously fulfill the great promise of the gospel by sending down the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, to establish the church as the house of his continual presence and power among men; mercifully grant unto us, we beseech thee, that same gift of the spirit, to renew, illumine, refresh, and sanctify our souls, to be over us and around us like the light and dew of heaven, to be to us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Most merciful and gracious God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through him our Father and the source of all our mercies; lift upon us, we beseech thee, the light of thy countenance, and grant unto us thy favor which is life, and thy loving kindness which is better than life. Give us thankful hearts for all thy benefits bestowed upon us from day to day, and help us to show forth our gratitude, not only with our lips but in our lives, by striving in all our labors to glorify thy holy name. Strengthen us for the faithful discharge of our duties during the week upon which we have now entered. May we constantly look unto him who is the author and finisher of our faith, who suffered, and died, and rose again, that we might die unto sin and live unto holiness. Enlighten and guide us by thy Holy Spirit; prepare us for our several callings during this present life and for the peace and joy of the life to come; and unto thy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end.

Almighty God, who hast purchased thy church unto thyself with the most precious blood of thy Son; hear us, we beseech thee, for the whole congregation of the faithful; that all who believe in thee in every place may advance in thy most holy ways, may be kept in unity and faith, and in purity of love toward thee, and toward one another, and toward all men. Sanctify and increase thy church, O God. Fill it with thy grace and truth. Grant that it may ever declare thy will in the preaching of thy holy word and confirm thy presence in the celebration of thy blessed sacraments. Prosper especially this congregation and strengthen the faith of those who worship in this place that we may show forth thy love and worthily magnify thy holy name.

O Thou, who art the ruler of the universe; regard with thy favor, we pray thee, the land in which we dwell. Bless all those who are called to make and administer the laws, and lead them in the way of justice and truth. Support and protect the upright, and restrain the violence of wicked men. Prosper every useful occupation and enterprise. Bless all the nations of the earth, and so govern them by thy providence that thy kingdom may come and thy name be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O Lord, who art the fountain of wisdom and truth; let thy blessing rest, we beseech thee, upon all institutions of learning. Cause them to be pervaded by the spirit of thy holy gospel. Make them rich sources of sound knowledge and true piety, from which shall go forth faithful laborers into thy church and the world. Sanctify all earthly knowledge by the spirit of Christ our Lord, and everywhere let men humbly learn of him, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, even Jesus Christ our Savior.

O God, who hast made man in thy likeness, and who dost love all whom thou hast made: teach us the unity of thy family and the breadth of thy love. By the example of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Savior, enable us, while loving and serving our own, to enter into the fellowship of the whole human family; and forbid that, from pride of race or hardness of heart, we should despise any for whom he died, or injure any in whom he lives, for his own Name's sake.

Lead us, we pray thee, O God, the King of righteousness, in the ways of justice and of peace. Inspire us to break down all oppression and wrong, to gain for every man his due reward, and from every man his due service, that each may live for all and all for each, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God, our heavenly Father, who hast set the solitary in families; look in favor, we beseech thee, upon the homes of thy people. Defend them against all evil, and supply all their needs according to the riches of thy grace. Make them sanctuaries of purity and peace, love and joy. Bless all dear to us wheresoever they are, and though our paths may lead us far from one another grant that we may never wander far from thee.

Father of mercies and God of all comfort, we pray for all who are in trouble or affliction; for such as are in danger by sea or land or air; and for those whose faith is tried by distress of body or mind. Of thy mercy relieve the suffering, heal the sick, support the dying, and comfort all who mourn.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say unto thy apostles, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; regard not our sins, but the faith of thy church, and grant her that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

(B)

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast vouchsafed to thy church to know and to confess thee, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to worship thee; grant that through this holy faith we may be united in living communion with thee to our soul's salvation. Unto thee, the triune God, be adoration, praise, and glory forever and ever, world without end.

O God, who on the day of Pentecost didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; grant us by the same spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour, who with thee and the Holy Spirit reigneth one God, world without end.

Eternal God, our maker and our Lord, giver of grace, from whom every good gift cometh and who pourest thy spirit upon all who seek thee; deliver us when we draw nigh to thee from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and pure affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty Lord and everlasting God, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, much less the temples which our hands have builded, but who art ever nigh unto the humble and contrite; pour thy Holy Spirit, we beseech thee, upon all here assembled, that, being cleansed and illumined by his grace, we may worthily show forth thy praise, meekly learn thy word, render due thanks for all thy mercies, and obtain a gracious answer to our prayers, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thou holy and exalted Son of God, to whom is given all authority in heaven and on earth to be the head over all things in the church; we pray thee, save thy people and bless thine inheritance; replenish the ministers of the gospel with the gifts of thy grace, that they may proclaim the counsel of thy love in demonstration of the spirit and of power. Visit, we pray thee, this congregation with thy love and favor and enlighten the minds of all with the light of thy gospel. Instill into every heart a sincere love of truth, and keep us in the same blessed Spirit, that we may be exalted with thee on that day when in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

O thou king eternal, immortal, invisible, thou only wise God our Savior; hasten we beseech thee, the coming of thy kingdom upon earth, and draw the whole world into willing obedience to thy blessed reign. Overcome all the enemies of our Lord and bring low every power that is exalted against him. Cast out the evil thoughts which cause war and strife among us; and let thy spirit rule the hearts of men in righteousness and love. Restore the desolations of former days; let the wilderness rejoice with beauty, and make glad the city with thy law. Establish every work that is founded on truth and equity, and fulfill all the good hopes and desires of thy people. Manifest thy will, Almighty Father, in the brotherhood of man unto the establishment of universal peace, through the victory of Christ our Lord.

O Almighty God, defeat we pray thee, all schemes of dishonesty, fraud, and extortion. Save our country from godless wealth and reckless waste. Shield us from all conditions that promote antagonism between man and man, rich and poor, employer and employee. Keep us from greed, from malice, and every evil work. Make us true to the teaching and example of our Lord, so that by word and deed we may advance thy cause.

We pray, O God, for the poor, the afflicted, the oppressed, the bereaved, the dying. O thou who canst richly comfort and graciously relieve, heal their sorrows and bind up their wounds.

Almighty God and glorious Lord; we who are but pilgrims and strangers in this passing world, pray thee to clothe us with righteousness, to give us the staff of faith, and to vouchsafe an abiding sense of the reality and glory of things unseen in the heavenly city, which thou hast prepared for them that love thee. Raise us above the vanity of this present world with its fleeting pleasures and its temporal trials. Help us to show forth thy glory before the world by our good works of faith and service, and grant that under thy guidance all things shall work together for our everlasting salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and dost promise that where 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.

(C)

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; we give thee thanks for all thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of thy dear Son, our Lord; and we beseech thee to grant that we may partake of his spirit and be filled with his grace so that we may bring forth the good fruit of godly living and more and more be engrafted into the mystical Body of thy Son as branches into a vine.

Most heartily we beseech thee for thy holy catholic church, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of thy saving word, and that it may so set forth thy grace in the sacrament which thou hast ordained that all thy children may grow in charity and increase in righteousness.

Send forth thy light and thy truth unto the ends of the earth. Raise up faithful pastors and missionaries to preach the gospel in our own and in all other lands; and guide, protect, and prosper them in their labors.

Bless, we pray thee, all the institutions of the church: its colleges, its seminaries, and all its schools, and cause them to send forth men and women ready to serve thee in the ministry of thy holy church.

O thou who art our dwelling place in all generations; let thy blessing rest upon our homes, that, illumined by the light of thy presence they may be a shelter against all evil and a foretaste of our eternal home in thee.

Bless our country; give wisdom and guidance to the President of the United States and to all others in authority, that they may stand firm for truth and right, none making them afraid. Sanctify all sorts and conditions of people, and hasten among us the upbuilding of thy city, O God, wherein righteousness, love, and peace shall reign.

We pray for all who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or other adversity, especially for those who are suffering for thy name and for truth's sake. Strengthen them, O God, according to all their needs; if it be thy will grant them a speedy deliverance out of all their troubles; but above all, give them the assurance of thy love and the healing of thy peace.

Be pleased, O God, to hear our humble supplications, and to keep us in thy way. From indolence and weakness of purpose, from indifference, carelessnes, and despair, O Lord, deliver us. Save us from all dishonesty, extravagance, and injustice to others, from the temptation to put pleasure above duty, and from all the frailty of the flesh. From the world, the flesh, and the devil, good Lord, deliver us.

Look upon us with thy mercy and thy love. Cause the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to all lawful occupations on land, on the sea, and in the air; and crown all our worthy endeavors with thy blessing.

These, and whatsoever other things thou wouldest have us ask of thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us, for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, thine only Son, our Lord and Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.