Prayers, collects and scripture
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. Luke 10:27
Father and maker of all,
you adorn all creation
with splendor and beauty,
and fashion human lives
in your image and likeness.
Awaken in every heart
reverence for the work of your hands,
and renew among your people
a readiness to nurture and sustain
your precious gift of life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen.
A prayer attributed to George Washington
O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins, but so coldly and carelessly, that my prayers are become my sin and stand in need of pardon. I have heard thy holy word, but with such deadness of spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer, so that, O Lord, tho’ I have done thy work, yet it hath been so negligently that I may rather expect a curse than a blessing from thee. But, O God, who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not, I beseech thee, what I have done amiss; remember that I am but dust, and remit my transgressions, negligences & ignorances, and cover them all with the absolute obedience of thy dear Son, that those sacrifices which I have offered may be accepted by thee, in and for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered upon the cross for me; for his sake, ease me of the burden of my sins, and give me grace that by the call of the Gospel I may rise from the slumber of sin into the newness of life. Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and and for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray
that thy gracious providence may give and preserve to our
use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper
all who labor to gather them, that we, who constantly receive
good things from thy hand, may always give thee thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray
that thy gracious providence may give and preserve to our
use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper
all who labor to gather them, that we, who constantly receive
good things from thy hand, may always give thee thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Consider the lilies of the field
How they grow, how they grow
Consider the birds in the sky
How they fly, how the fly
He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the birds in the sky
And he will feed those who trust him
And guide them with his eye
Consider the sheep of his fold
How they follow where he leads
Though their paths may wind across the mountain
He knows the meadows where he leads
He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the birds in the sky
And he will feed those who trust him
And guide them with his eye
Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on the earth
The pains of all of them he carried
From the day of his birth
He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the lambs in his fold
And he will feed those who trust him
And make their hearts as gold
Roger Hoffman
Shout for Joy to the Lord, All You Lands! Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5
A Prayer for Virginia
Renew Thy grace, O Thou ruler of destiny, upon the Commonwealth of Virginia, that she may ever rejoice in the dominion of Thy Providence. Bless the gracious land where Thou hast unfolded such a measure of Thy purpose for humankind.
For each step on the highway of history we lift our thanksgiving. For those who wrested welcome from the wilderness; who planted peace along the inland avenues of the sea; who saw Thy glory upon the mountain heights and likened it to freedom. Praise be to Thee mighty Lord, for the sturdy quest which generation by generation sought out the noble mark of independence and distilled that brave wisdom into the instruments of a nation’s governance.
Cherish, O Father, that generous spirit which has raised up such leaders of liberty; and sanctify to Thy people still the vision of Thy great design for them and for all people.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—From “For All the States” by Dean Francis Sayre (1972)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
~Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these (Mark 10:14).
• Collect of the Day ~ Proper 11
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
• A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
- Isaiah 40:31
The collect for the third Sunday after Pentecost -
The collect for the second Sunday after Pentecost -
The collect for Trinity Sunday -
The collect for The Day of Pentecost -
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6
The collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter -
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
~Psalm 19:1
Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” ~John 14:15-21 NIV
The collect for the sixth Sunday of Easter -
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The collect for the fifth Sunday of Easter -
“Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.” John 14:1-3 MSG
My Mother's Prayer
I never can forget the day
I heard my mother kindly say,
You’re leaving now my tender care;
Remember, child, your mother’s prayer.
Refrain
Whene’er I think of her so dear,
I feel her angel spirit near;
A voice comes floating on the air,
Reminding me of Mother’s prayer.
I never can forget the voice
That always made my heart rejoice;
Though I have wandered God knows where,
Still I remember Mother’s prayer. [Refrain]
Though years have gone, I can’t forget
Those words of love—I hear them yet;
I see her by the old arm chair,
My mother dear, in humble prayer. [Refrain]
I never can forget the hour
I felt the Savior’s cleansing pow’r.
My sin and guilt be canceled there,
’Twas there He answered Mother’s prayer.
O praise the Lord for saving grace!
We’ll meet up yonder face to face;
The home above together share,
In answer to my mother’s prayer.
~ Judson W. Van De Venter (1855-1939)
The collect for the fourth Sunday of Easter -
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The collect for the third Sunday of Easter -
The collect for the second Sunday of Easter -
"Now into the keeping of God I put all things today. All disappointments, hindrances, forgotten things, negligences; all gladness and beauty, love, delight, achievement; all that people have done for me, all that I have done for them, my work and my prayers. And I commit all the people whom I love to his shepherding, to his healing and restoring, to his calling and making; for the sake of him who is the light which darkness shall never overcome."
~ Margaret Cooper, 1886-1980
