A Litany for Advent IV

It's customary in the church, beginning on this date each year, to use the so-called "O" Antiphons when praying the canticle Magnificat, or Song of Mary. Each day leading up to Christmas has its own such antiphon, each of which delineates an attribute of the expected Messiah; the best known version is in the hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel". For this coming Sunday in my parish, I've written Prayers of the People based on these antiphons. The translations are found in many sources. Specific intentions may  be added as desired.

Prayers of the People for Advent IV, based on the “O” Antiphons

O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: hear our prayers for the earth and all of creation. Lead us to be better stewards of the world you have made and given to us, that those who come after us may enjoy its bounty and goodness.

Come, and teach us the way of prudence.

Come and save us.

O Adonai, Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: hear our prayers for the church; for __________; for Christians in trouble or danger, and for peace and understanding among the religions of the world.

Come, and redeem us with outstretched arms.

Come and save us.

O Root of Jesse, that stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: hear our prayers for our nation, our state, our region; for those who govern, especially ______________; for those whose needs are overlooked, and for those who work for justice and reconciliation.

Come deliver us, and tarry not.

Come and save us.

O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel: open wide the door of healing, and close the doors of suffering. Hear our prayers for _________________________.

Come, and lead forth into wholeness those who are captive to illness, injury, and pain.

Come and save us.

O dawn of the east, brightness of light eternal, and sun of justice: hear our prayers for the departed, especially _____________, and for those who mourn. You who are the hope of everlasting life and our light amid the darkness of death,

Come, and give us light. 

Come and save us.

O King of the gentiles and their desired One: hear our prayers of thanksgiving for ________________________. Give us thankful hearts; ground our gratitude in humility and service to others.

Come, and deliver us, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.

Come and save us.

O Emmanuel, God with us, the expected of the nations and their Savior: hear our prayers for all the people and nations of the world, especially __________________. Lead us into paths of justice and peace, and bring to an end our warring ways and violent inclinations.

Come to save us, O Lord our God.

Come and save us.

A concluding collect (prayer) may be added.

The Way of Advent - Stations Eleven and Twelve, and Concluding Prayers

Eleventh Station – John the Baptist Anticipates the Coming of the Christ 

(Mark 1:7-8)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

John proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

V.  Here is the Lamb of God

R.  Who takes away the sin of the world.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.     (Book of Common Prayer, 211)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

               - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

               The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Twelfth Station – The Fulfillment of the Reign of God (Rev. 21:1-4a)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

V.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

R.  See, I am making all things new.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 236)

Come, O Father’s saving Son,

Who o’er sin the vict’ry won.

Boundless shall your kingdom be;

Grant that we its glories see.

               - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

               The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 4

Concluding Prayers

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your 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 living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 211)

Go in peace.

Thanks be to God.

The Way of Advent: Stations Nine and Ten

Ninth Station – The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:59-63)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.

V.  You, child, will be called the prophet of the most high

R.  For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, 241)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

                   - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

                   The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Tenth Station – The Annunciation to Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

V.  God has raised up a mighty savior for us

R.  From the house of his servant David.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 239)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

The Way of Advent - Stations Seven and Eight

Seventh Station – Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:41-43)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

V.  There will be a fulfillment of God’s word;

R.  And blessed is she who believes.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 240)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

            - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

            The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Eighth Station – Mary Echoes God’s Promise to Abraham (Luke 1:46-48, 51-55)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

V.  The Mighty One has done great things for me;

R.  And holy is his name.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, 815)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

  

The Way of Advent - Stations Five and Six

Fifth Station – The Annunciation to Mary (Luke 2:28, 30-32)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.

V.  He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

R.  And of his kingdom there will be no end.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, 240)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

            - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

            The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Sixth Station – Mary’s Response (Luke 1:38)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

V.  The child to be born will be holy;

R.  He will be called Son of God.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 243)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

The Way of Advent - Stations Three and Four

Third Station – The One to rule Israel will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-4)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.  And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

V.  Then the remnant of Jacob

R.  Shall be like dew from the Lord.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, 212)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

             - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

            The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Fourth Station – The Annunciation to Zechariah  (Luke 1:13-15)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

V.  He will turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous

R.  To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. (Book of Common Prayer, 212)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

          

The Way of Advent - Station Two

Second Station – God’s call to prepare the way (Is. 40:1-11)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

V. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed

R.  And all people shall see it together.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 124)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

               - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

                  The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

The Way of Advent

This Advent season, for my parish, I've created "The Way of Advent", a booklet of devotions based on The Way (or Stations) of the Cross. Each day (or nearly so!) I'll be posting one of the twelve stations. Today, the opening and First Station:

The Way of Advent

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven....             Our Father in heaven....

(Lord's Prayer version of your choice)

V. We will rejoice in the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R.  In whom is our salvation, our life, and resurrection.

Let us pray.   (Silence)

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of the advent of your blessed Son, who came among us as one of us and will return with redemption for all creation. Amen.

First Station – God’s promise to Abraham (Gen. 17:4-7)

Our King and Savior now draws near:

Come among us and save us, we pray.

God said to Abram, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

V. I will make of you a great nation;

R.  In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 100)

Savior of the nations, come!

Virgin’s Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, both heaven and earth,

that the Lord chose such a birth.

               

                                                       - Martin Luther (after Ambrose of Milan)

                                                       The Hymnal 1982, #54  st. 1

Thoughts on Reconciliation and the Bottom Line

In this coming Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 18:15-20, Proper 18A) the final step in Jesus’ system of reconciling differences in the church allows for the non-repentant offender to be treated as someone who is lost to the community – lost in the manner of a Gentile, or a tax collector. I think there’s significance in those particular words, as opposed to “casting into outer darkness” or something permanently damning. After all, who did Jesus accept and spend time with, even eat with and forgive, much to the consternation of the religious elite of his day, the scribes and Pharisees? The answer is: Gentiles and tax collectors. There’s even a bit of irony here, because this particular gospel was written in the name of one who was a tax collector! So like that lost sheep that the shepherd goes and finds, there is always hope of restoration and reconciliation, even if one has to go back and start over. Perhaps this was Jesus’ way of warning the church not abuse its authority to “bind and loose” – that is, decide whom to forgive and accept back into fellowship, and who would be excommunicated and thus lose hope of salvation. And, he promised to be in the midst of even the smallest gathering of believers, to guide their decision making.

The world of first century Christianity was much smaller, and its worldview so vastly different from ours that we can barely begin to compare them. Our lives are not isolated, and for many of us, no matter how faithful, the church may no longer be our primary form of community; we move in many diverse circles, some of which barely overlap one another. Though Jesus’ words are clearly intended for the church, is there a message here for us about forgiving and reconciling with those outside it? The larger message in this gospel tells us that our behavior, no matter where we may be, should always be modeled after the life and teachings of Jesus: courageous honesty, true humility, and above all, love. We bring those virtues to any of our damaged relationships, and we have the tools of reconciliation.

 

 

Tikkun Olam - A Litany for the Healing of the World

The Hebrew phrase “tikkun olam” means to repair or to heal the world. I wrote this litany for used in my parish this Sunday (World Mission Sunday in TEC) as a response to the violence, need, and sorrow that is currently present in the world God so loves.

God of love, whose Son Jesus Christ is named the Prince of Peace, we pray for all nations and regions experiencing violence: where governments attack their people, or foreign forces strike;

where protestors clash with police and the military; where bombs, missiles, gunfire, and brute strength assault, maim, and kill the innocent.

Hear our prayer, O Lord,

And let our cry come before you.

God of justice, who rules heaven and earth with a merciful hand, we pray for those places where governments are failing: where coups and hostile forces wreak havoc, and leaders abdicate responsibility; where economic, legal, and civil disintegration jeopardize happy and peaceful living;

where unstable governance threatens the safety of the people.

Hear our prayer, O Lord,

And let our cry come before you.

God of abundance, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Way, the Bread of Life, the True Vine, and who gives Living Water, we pray for those experiencing poverty, hunger, and the collapse of their communities: where political posturing and lack of funds threaten infrastructure and public safety; where drought, flooding, climate change, greed, and disregard for the environment inhibit food production and distribution; where lack of education, medical care, sanitation, and clean water allow ignorance and

disease to flourish.

Hear our prayer, O Lord,

And let our cry come before you.

God of our ancestors in faith, who promised that through Abraham and Sarah all the peoples of the world would be blessed, we pray for those regions: where attacks and counter-attacks are mounted in the name of religion; where violence has replaced peaceful coexistence; where cooperation and understanding have been replaced by fear and zenophobia.

Hear our prayer, O Lord,

And let our cry come before you. 

God of love, whose Son Jesus Christ welcomed the outcast and marginalized, we pray for ethnic, sexual, religious, and racial minorities: whose governments fail to protect or seek to punish them;

whose families and friends ostracize them; whose lives are constrained by threats of persecution and physical harm.

Hear our prayer, O Lord,

And let our cry come before you.

God of all, we pray for Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, neighborhoods in Chicago and other American cities, Egypt, Jerusalem, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, South Sudan, Syria,  Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela

Hear our prayer, O Lord,

And let our cry come before you.

(The Presider may add a concluding collect)

Mag & Nunc

The Magnificat (“Song of Mary”) and the Nunc dimittis (“Song of Simeon”), both of which are found in Luke’s gospel, are the two great Gospel canticles of the church. They are among several choices of canticles in Morning Prayer/Matins and the only ones appointed for Evening Prayer/Evensong.* The first is sung by a young pregnant woman whose greeting by an older female relative has affirmed the miraculous message given her by an angel. The second is offered by a man, usually assumed to be an old man, who has beheld the young woman’s child forty days after his birth and recognized, in this tiny baby, the embodiment of God’s salvific plan for the world.

In the Eucharistic lectionary, Mary’s song is included in the gospel reading for Advent IV in year C, as well as the Feast of the Visitation on May 31; Simeon’s occurs in the gospel appointed for the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple on February 2. Neither the Visitation nor the Presentation may be transferred to a Sunday, so that many who are familiar with the context of the Magnificat from its place in Advent (not to mention the popularity of Mary) are not at all aware of the context of the Nunc dimittis (Simeon seldom makes anyone’s list of Top Ten Saints). The somewhat rare occasion of the Presentation falling on Sunday this year gives more people the opportunity to experience Simeon’s song in its scriptural setting.

We’re used to singing and praying these canticles (often referred to as “Mag” and “Nunc”) in tandem, but their connection goes much deeper than simply being paired up in the Daily Office. In Luke’s gospel they serve as bookends for the lovely but brief narrative of Jesus’ infancy. The Fourth Sunday of Advent is the first and only Sunday of that season actually to speak of the upcoming birth of Jesus; the Presentation is the final event recorded by Luke of his infancy. Mary’s young life is only beginning to unfold, though much of what lies ahead of her will be tragic (Simeon tells her that a sword will pierce her soul). Though we don’t really know Simeon’s age, he is usually depicted as elderly, and having been promised by God that he would not die before seeing the Savior, he can behold the holy infant and know that God’s assurances have been fulfilled - he can "depart in peace". The words of Mary’s song belie the oft-held view that she was “meek and mild” – her words are a manifesto of kingdom justice and mercy, the future God has promised, a paean to the Good News. Simeon’s speak of freedom, peace, the reward of faith. Ages ago God had promised Abraham that in him all the peoples of the world would be blessed. The young woman carries in her womb the long-awaited hope of her people from the time of Abraham; the old man holds in his arms that promise realized, not only for Abraham’s descendants, but for all.

In the Greek Orthodox church, Mary is known as the theotokos ("God bearer"); Simeon is called theodoches ("God receiver").

 *Morning and Evening Prayer are two of the spoken daily prayer services (“Offices”) of the church; Matins and Evensong are their sung counterparts.

The texts of the two canticles, from The Book of Common Prayer, are below:

 The Song of Mary   Magnificat  (Luke 1:46-55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
    the Almighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
    in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
    and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
    to Abraham and his children for ever.

The Song of Simeon    Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32)  Lord, you now have set your servant free *
    to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
    whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
    and the glory of your people Israel.

Prayers of the People

Deacon:

[Following the form in your bulletin, and responding as indicated,] let us offer our prayers to God for the church and for the world.

Let us pray for the creation.

Intercessor:

Grant that we may exercise prudent stewardship of this good earth, that those with whom we share it now, and those who come after us, may enjoy its bounty and blessings. Drive far from us our inclinations to consume too much and to hoard what is not ours. – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Show us your mercy, O Lord.

People: And grant us your salvation.

Deacon:

Let us pray for the church.

Intercessor:

For Justin, Archbishop-elect of Canterbury…(the usual list, including Anglican, Diocesan, and parish cycles of prayer….) – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Clothe your ministers with righteousness;

People: Let your people sing with joy.

Deacon:

Let us pray for the nations of the world.

Intercessor:

For all who suffer the burdens of poverty, injustice, war and other violence – especially in…. – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;

People: For only in you can we live in safety.

Deacon:

Let us pray for local, regional, and national leaders.

Intercessor:

For Barack, our President; [N], our Governor; for the Congress of the United States, the Supreme Court, and the [state name] legislature; and for leaders of our several communities. – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

People: And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Deacon:

Let us give thanks for our blessings.

Intercessor:

For (baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Day by day we bless you;

People: We praise your Name for ever.

Deacon:

Let us pray for those in any kind of need, in our parish and elsewhere.

Intercessor:

For (regional cycle); for (N.N.); and for all who are ill, isolated, grieving, and who go without basic human needs. – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten:

People: Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Deacon:

Let us pray for those who have died.

Intercessor:

For (N.N.) and those who have died as a result of human action, human neglect, or natural disasters…. – PAUSE -

Deacon:

Grant them eternal rest, O God;

People: And let light perpetual shine upon them.

Deacon:

Let us pray that in all things we who worship the God of mercy, love and reconciliation may be strengthened and renewed for ministry in the world. – PAUSE -

Create in us clean hearts, O God.

People: And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.