Morning Prayer, Wednesday

Creator of the universe, infinite and glorious,
you give us laws to save us from our folly; 
give us eyes to see your plan unfolding,
your purpose emerging as the world is made; 
give us courage to follow the truth
courage to go wherever you lead;
then we shall know blessings beyond our dreams;
then will your will be done.

Almighty and everlasting God,
we thank you that you have brought us safely
to the beginning of this day;
keep us from falling into sin or running into danger,
and guide us to do always what is right in your eyes.

Holy and enabling Spirit,
give wings to our morning prayers.
May those we support and cherish with our love 
receive your grace to help them in their need.

Amen.

            A New Zealand Prayer Book, pg. 120

(click below for MP3 file)

For the Aged

"Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing

years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation.  Provide for

them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding

helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their

strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance

of your love.  This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our

Lord."     Amen.

 Book of Common Prayer, 1979, p 830

For the Aged- (click here for MP3 file)

For Young Persons

"God our Father, you see your children growing up in an

unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways

give more life than the ways of the world, and that following

you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to

take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance

for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you,

and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus

Christ our Lord."           Amen.

 Book of Common Prayer, 1979, p 829

For Young Persons- (click here for MP3 file)

For the Answering of Prayer

 Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of 
those who ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully
 to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers and
 supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we
 have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be
obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth 
of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

         Book of Common Prayer, 1979, pg 834

For the Answering of Prayer- (click here for MP3 file)

For Education

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your 
Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship 
you and serve you from generation to generation; 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, pg. 261

For Education- (click here for MP3 file)

For Family and Friends

“Almighty God, Father of everlasting mercy

we entrust all who are dear to us

    to your never-failing care and love

both for this life and for the life to come

knowing that you are doing for them

    things beyond all that we can ask or think;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Anglican Prayer Book, Southern Africa, pg 92

For Family and Friends- (click here for MP3 file)

For the Good Use of Leisure

"O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, 1979, pg 825

For the Good Use of Leisure- (click here for MP3 file)

Spiritual Communion

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.

May your body and blood be my food and drink.

May your passion and death be my strength and life.

Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.

May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.

Let me not run from the love which you offer

But hold me safe from the forces of evil.

On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.

Keep calling to me until that day comes

when, with your saints, I may praise you for ever.

Amen.

 Anglican Prayer Book, 1989, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, pg 516

Spiritual Communion- (click here for MP3 file)

St. Thomas, the Apostle

Jesus said to Thomas, `Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.'

John 20:29

Almighty and everliving God,

your Son's resurrection was doubted

by the apostle Thomas;

grant that though we cannot see Jesus,

we may learn to put our whole trust in him,

our Lord and our God.

Christ our light,

like Thomas we need to see,

need to touch,

need to be sure before we believe.

When we don't know, help us to trust;

when we can't see, help us to keep on walking.

Amen.

New Zealand Prayer Book, pg 673

St. Thomas- (click here for MP3 file)

For All Holy Scripture

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Book of Common Prayer, pg. 236

For All Holy Scripture- (click here for MP3 file)

For Good Government

Spirit of justice, creator Spirit

Help us to make and keep this country

A home for all its different peoples,

And grant to our government and all its representatives

Imagination, skill and energy

That there may grow amongst us aroha and peace.

            (aroha means love in New Zealand Maori language)

We make this prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

New Zealand Book of Prayer- pg 138

For Good Government- (click here for MP3 file)

For Those Who Govern

Eternal God, Fount of wisdom;

we ask you to bless the representatives we have elected;

grant that through their discussions and decisions

we may solve our problems effectively,

enhance the well-being of our nation,

and achieve together a fairer and more united society.

We make this prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

New Zealand Book of Prayer, pg. 139

For Those Who Govern- (click here for MP3 file)

Collect- October 7, 2012

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect-Oct 7 2012- (click here for MP3 file)

In Times of Conflict

"O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, 
in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront 
one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work 
together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus
 Christ our Lord."

 Amen.

 Book of Common Prayer, pg 824

In Times of Conflict- (click here for MP3 file)

For the Unemployed

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Book of Common Prayer, pg 824

For the Unemployed- (click here for MP3 file)

Prayer to Celebrate a Marriage

Gracious God we pray for N____ and N____ and give thanks that you have brought them together in marriage.

Spirit of God bless this marriage. 

We thank you for the love and care which, through their parents, has guided N and N to maturity, and prepared them for this commitment.

Spirit of God bless this marriage.

Help them to be wise and loving parents and to grow together in faithfulness and honesty, in mutual support and patience.

Spirit of God bless this marriage.

Make their life together a sign of your love in this broken world; may forgiveness heal injury and joy triumph over sorrow.

Spirit of God bless this marriage.

Be with them in their work and renew them in their leisure.

Spirit of God bless this marriage.

May they welcome into their home both friends and strangers and so reflect Christ's love for all people.

Spirit of God bless this marriage.

In all their future together may they enjoy each other's lives and grow through the love they share.

Amen.

A New Zealand Prayer Book, pg 798

Prayer to Celebrate a Marriage- (click here for MP3 file)

Prayer Before a Funeral

Jesus said,

Jesus said, 'I am the resurrection and the life; even in death,

anyone who believes in me, will live.'
                       John 11:25

We commend your servant to you, God,

as s/he journeys beyond our sight.

God of all consolation,

in your unending love and mercy you turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life.

Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,

by dying for us, conquered death,

and by rising again, restored life.

May we not be afraid of death but desire to be with Christ,

and after our life on earth,

to be with those we love,

where every tear is wiped away and all things are made new.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

New Zealand Prayer Book, pg 823

Prayer Before a Funeral- (click here for MP3 file)

For Church Musicians and Artists

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, 1979, page 819)

For Church Musicians and Artists- (click here for MP3 file)

Daily Devotion: Thursday Evening

God of seed and growth and harvest,

creator of need, creator of satisfaction;

give us, we pray, our daily bread,

sufficient and assured for all.

Give us also, we pray, the bread of life,

and we shall have a care to feed the hungry.

and to seek for peace and justice in the world.

Help us, then, to remember and to know

that you are our life today and every day;

you are the food we need, now and for ever.

Look kindly, all-seeing God,

On all who spend this night in anxiety or pain.

Be with those who will die tonight.

Look kindly on those who are without food or shelter,

on those who have no love.

Your will is that we should have life, and share it.

Be present, merciful God,

and protect us through the silent hours of this night,

that we, who are wearied

by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,

may rest upon your eternal changelessness.

Amen.

A New Zealand Prayer Book, pg. 128

Daily Devotion: Thursday Evening- (click here for MP3 file)

Collect for Peace: South Africa

Eternal God, from whom all holy desires, all good

counsels and all just works proceed:

give your servants that peace

which the world cannot give

that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments

and that, free from the fear of our enemies

we may pass our time in rest and quietness;

through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

An Anglican Prayer Book (South Africa), 1989, page 61 

Collect for Peace- (click here for MP3 file)