A Prayer for Those Who Serve ot
We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ
O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others those providing pro bono legal services and legal aid to the poor; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Occasional Prayer 4 from the Book of Common Prayer of the ACNA (2019)
A Prayer for Courts of Justice
We humbly ask you to bless all courts of justice and all magistrates in this land; give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, that fearing no power but yours alone, they may discern the truth and impartially administer the law.
Almighty God, you sit on your throne giving righteous judgment: We humbly ask you to bless all courts of justice and all magistrates in this land; give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, that fearing no power but yours alone, they may discern the truth and impartially administer the law; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Occasional Prayer 29 from the Book of Common Prayer of the ACNA (2019)
A Prayer for Our Enemies
O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.
O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray.
Amen.
Occasional Prayer 33 from the Book of Common Prayer of the ACNA (2019)
Prayer for a Lawyer’s Practice
Lord, grant that I may be Able in argument, Accurate in analysis, Strict in study, Candid with clients, and Honest with adversaries. Sit with me at my desk and Listen with me to my client’s plaints, Read with me in the library, and Stand beside me in court, So that today I shall not, In order to win a point, Lose my soul. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Lord, grant that I may be Able in argument, Accurate in analysis, Strict in study, Candid with clients, and Honest with adversaries. Sit with me at my desk and Listen with me to my client’s plaints, Read with me in the library, and Stand beside me in court, So that today I shall not, In order to win a point, Lose my soul. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
-Sir Thomas More
Prayer for the Human Family
O God, take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth.
O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; 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.
Occasional Prayer 42 from the Book of Common Prayer of the ACNA (2019)
A Prayer for Justice
Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name.
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Occasional Prayer 43 from the Book of Common Prayer of the ACNA (2019)
The Prayer of Francis de Sales
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.
Be at peace. Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering, or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.
Francis de Sales 1567-1622
Prayer Adapted from Isaiah 11
May we not by appearance judge, nor by hearsay decide, but may we judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
May the spirit of the Lord rest upon us: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and our delight shall be the fear of the Lord.
May we not by appearance judge, nor by hearsay decide, but may we judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
May we strike the ruthless with the rod of our mouths, and with the breath of our lips slay the wicked.
May justice be the band around our waists, and faithfulness a belt upon our hips. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer by Bishop John Fisher
Set in Your Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors –watching poverty, thirst, hunger, coat and heat – which also shall not fear the threats of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Your holy Name
Lord, according to Your promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men and women fit for such work.
The Apostles were soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Spirit. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Your Church militant:
Change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones.
Set in Your Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors –watching poverty, thirst, hunger, coat and heat – which also shall not fear the threats of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Your holy Name.
By this manner, good Lord, the truth of Your Gospel shall be preached throughout the world. Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Your mercy, show it indeed upon Your Church.
Amen.
A Prayer for the Stewardship of Creation
Make us always thankful for your loving providence, and give us grace to honor you with all that you have entrusted to us; that we, remembering the account we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts.
O merciful Creator, your loving hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence, and give us grace to honor you with all that you have entrusted to us; that we, remembering the account we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Occasional Prayer 22 from the Book of Common Prayer of the ACNA (2019)