The Book of Common Prayer Part 17

_For fair Weather_.

O almighty Lord G.o.d, who for the sin of man didst once drown all the world, except eight persons, and afterward of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again: We humbly beseech thee, that although we for our iniquities have worthily deserved a plague of rain and waters, yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather, as that we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season; and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives, and for thy clemency to give thee praise and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_In the time of Dearth and Famine_.

O G.o.d, heavenly Father, whose gift it is that the rain doth fall, the earth is fruitful, beasts increase, and fishes do multiply: Behold, we beseech thee, the afflictions of thy people; and grant that the scarcity and dearth, which we do now most justly suffer for our iniquity, may through thy goodness be mercifully turned into cheapness and plenty; for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, now and for ever. _Amen_.

_Or this_.

O G.o.d, merciful Father, who, in the time of Elisha the prophet, didst suddenly in Samaria turn great scarcity and dearth into plenty and cheapness: Have mercy upon us, that we, who are now for our sins punished with like adversity, may likewise find a seasonable relief: Increase the fruits of the earth by thy heavenly benediction; and grant that we, receiving thy bountiful liberality, may use the same to thy glory, the relief of those that are needy, and our own comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_In the time of War and Tumults_.

O almighty G.o.d, King of all kings, and Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to them that truly repent: Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; abate their pride, a.s.suage their malice, and confound their devices; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_In the time of any common Plague or Sickness_.

O almighty G.o.d, who in thy wrath didst send a plague upon thine own people in the wilderness, for their obstinate rebellion against Moses and Aaron; and also, in the time of king David, didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand, and yet remembering thy mercy didst save the rest: Have pity upon us miserable sinners, who now are visited with great sickness and mortality; that like as thou didst then accept of an atonement, and didst command the destroying Angel to cease from punis.h.i.+ng, so it may now please thee to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sickness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

_Amen_.

_In the Ember Weeks, to be said every day, for those that are to be admitted into Holy Orders_.

Almighty G.o.d, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son: Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may set forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_Or this_.

Almighty G.o.d, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

_A Prayer that may be said after any of the former_.

O G.o.d, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble pet.i.tions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. _Amen_.

_A Prayer for the High Court of Parliament, to be read during their Session_.

Most gracious G.o.d, we humbly beseech thee, as for this Kingdom in general, so especially for the High Court of Parliament, under our most religious and gracious King at this time a.s.sembled: That thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and his Dominions; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. _Amen_.

_A Collect or Prayer for all Conditions of men, to be used at such times when the Litany is not appointed to be said_.

O G.o.d, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those, who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; [_especially * those for whom our prayers are desired;_] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake.

_Amen_.

[Margin note:] * This to be said when any desire the Prayers of the Congregation.

| ADDITIONAL PRAYERS UPON SEVERAL OCCASIONS | | _Before any or each of these prayers may be said_, Let us pray | for------, _or other like words_.

| | _At the New Year_.

| | O immortal Lord G.o.d, who inhabitest eternity, and hast brought | us, thine unworthy servants, to the beginning of another year: | Pardon, we most humbly beseech thee, our transgressions in the | past, and graciously abide with us all the days of our life; | guard and direct us in all trials and temptations, that by thy | blessing we may grow in grace as we grow in years, and at the | last may finish our course with joy; through Jesus Christ our | Lord. _Amen_.

| | _On New Year's Day_.

| | O Saviour of the world, who as on this day wast called JESUS, | according to the word of the Angel: Fulfil unto us, we beseech | thee, the gracious promise of that holy Name, and, of thy great | mercy, save thy people from their sins; who with the Father and | the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one G.o.d, world without end.

| _Amen_.

| | PRAYERS WHICH MAY BE SAID ON ROGATION DAYS.

| [_These prayers may be used also at other times_.]

| | _For fruitful seasons_.

| | Almighty G.o.d, Lord of heaven and earth, in whom we live and | move and have our being, who makest the sun to rise on the evil | and on the good, and sendest rain on the just and on the unjust; | We beseech thee at this time favourably to behold thy people | who call upon thee, and to send thine abundant blessing upon | the earth that it may bring forth its fruits in due season, | and that we, being filled with thy bounty, may ever more give | thanks unto thee, the giver of all good; through Jesus Christ | our Lord. _Amen_.

| | O almighty G.o.d, who hast created the earth for man, and man for | thy glory: Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and | be mindful of thy covenant; that both the earth may yield her | increase, and the good seed of thy word may bring forth | abundantly, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ | our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For a blessing on Fisheries_.

| | O Almighty G.o.d, who madest the sea, and gavest all that moveth | therein for the use of man: Bestow thy blessing, we beseech | thee, on the harvest of the waters that it may be abundant in | its season; protect from every peril of the deep all fishermen | and mariners, and grant that they may with thankful hearts | acknowledge thee, who art Lord of the sea and of the dry land; | through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For a blessing on Local Industries_.

| | O almighty Father, who through thy Son Jesus Christ hast | consecrated labour to the blessing of mankind: Prosper, we pray | thee, the industries of this place; defend those who are engaged | therein from all perils, and grant that they may rejoice in the | fruits of thy bounty, and bless thee for thy loving-kindness, | through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For the Conversion of the Jews_.

| | [_A prayer of Bishop Wilson_.]

| | O G.o.d, the G.o.d of Abraham, look upon thine everlasting covenant, | and cause the captivity of Judah and Israel to return. They are | thy people; O be thou their Saviour, that all who love Jerusalem | and mourn for her may rejoice with her; for Jesus Christ's sake, | their Saviour and ours. _Amen_.

| | _For the Conversion of Mohammedans, and all who know not Christ_.

| | Almighty G.o.d, our heavenly Father, who in thy goodness hast caused | the light of the Gospel to s.h.i.+ne in our land; Extend thy mercy, | we beseech thee, to the nations of the world that still walk in | darkness. Enlighten the Moslems with the knowledge of thy truth; | and grant that the Gospel of salvation may be made known in all | lands, that the heart of the peoples may be turned unto thee, | through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For the Conversion of the Heathen_.

| | O G.o.d, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell | on all the face of the earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to | preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh: | Grant that the people who sit in darkness and the shadow of death | may feel after thee and find thee; and hasten, O Lord, the | fulfilment of thy promise to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, | through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | O G.o.d of all the nations of the earth, remember the mult.i.tudes | of the heathen, who, though created in thine image, are ignorant | of thy love, and, according to the propitiation of thy Son Jesus | Christ, grant that by the prayers and labours of thy holy Church | they may be delivered from all superst.i.tion and unbelief, and | brought to wors.h.i.+p thee; through him whom thou hast sent to be | our Salvation, the Resurrection and the Life of all the faithful, | the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For Missionaries in Distant Lands_.

| | O G.o.d our Saviour, who willest that all men should be saved and | come to the knowledge of the truth; Prosper, we pray thee, our | brethren who labour in distant lands, [especially those for whom | our prayers are desired]. Protect them in all perils by land and | sea; support them in loneliness and in the hour of trial; give | them grace to bear faithful witness unto thee; and endue them with | burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness, | and finally obtain a crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our | Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For Home Missions_.

| | O Lord Jesus Christ, thou good Shepherd of the sheep, who didst | come to seek and to save that which was lost; We beseech thee to | be present in thy power with the Missions of thy Church in this | our land. Shew forth thy compa.s.sion to the helpless, enlighten | the ignorant, succour those in peril, and bring home the wanderers | in safety to thy fold; who livest and reignest with the Father | and the Holy Spirit, one G.o.d, world without end. _Amen_.

| |_For the Church_.

| | O G.o.d of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favourably | on thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and by | the tranquil operation of thy perpetual providence carry out | the work of man's salvation, and let the whole world feel and | see that things which were cast down are being raised up, and | things which had grown old are being made new, and all things | are returning to perfection through him from whom they took | their origin, even Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For the Unity of Christendom_.

| | O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say unto thine apostles, Peace I | leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, | but the faith of thy Church, and grant unto all Christian | people that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will; | who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, | one G.o.d, world without end. _Amen_.

| | _The prayer for Unity in the Accession Service may also be used_.

| | _For Fair Weather_.

| | _For use at times when the prayer for Fair Weather in the Book_ | _of Common Prayer seems less suitable_.

| | Almighty G.o.d, our heavenly Father, who art the author and giver | of all good things; Look, we beseech thee, in thy loving-kindness | upon us thine unworthy servants, and grant to us at this time | such fair weather that we may receive the fruits of the earth | in their season, to our comfort and the glory of thy holy Name; | through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. _Amen_.

| | _For Synods of the Church, Provincial or Diocesan_.

| | _To be said on the Sunday and following days immediately_ | _preceding the meeting of the Synod, and on the morning of each | day while the Synod is in session_.

| | O eternal G.o.d, the fountain of all wisdom, who didst send thy | Holy Spirit to lead the disciples into all the truth; Vouchsafe | that he being present with thy servants, the Bishops [_or_ | Bishop] and Presbyters about to a.s.semble [_or_ now a.s.sembled]

| in the Synod of this province [_or_ diocese], may so rule their | hearts and guide their counsels that in all things they may seek | only thy glory and the good of thy holy Church; through Jesus | Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For the Representative and Consultative Church Councils_.

| | _To be said on the Sunday preceding the meeting, and daily during_ | _the session_.

| | Almighty and everlasting G.o.d, from whom cometh wisdom and | understanding; Be present, we humbly beseech thee, with thy | servants about to deliberate [_or_ a.s.sembled to deliberate] in | Council upon those things that make for the maintenance, | well-being, and extension of thy holy Church; and grant that | they, seeking only thy honour and glory, may be guided in all | their consultations to perceive the more excellent way, and may | have grace and strength to follow the same; through Jesus Christ | our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _During the vacancy of a Bishopric in the Scottish Church_, | _to be said up to the day of the election_.

| | Almighty G.o.d, the giver of every good gift, bestow at this time, | we humbly beseech thee, thine especial blessing upon the | Presbyters and Lay-electors of the diocese of------[_or_ of | this diocese] about to a.s.semble for the election of a Bishop; | and grant unto them in their deliberations the spirit of wisdom | and understanding, that by thee they may be guided to the choice | of a chief pastor who shall minister before thee to the glory | of thy holy Name, the good government of the flock committed to | him, and the welfare of thy whole Church; through Jesus Christ | our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _During the vacancy of a Pastoral Charge_.

| | O G.o.d, who knowest the needs of thy people in every place; Look | graciously at this time on this church and congregation; and | give to them a faithful pastor, who may serve before thee in | all diligence and lowliness of heart, and, by thy blessing, | bring many souls to the joys of thine eternal kingdom; through | Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _This prayer may also be used at meetings of Patrons during a_ | _vacancy_.

| | _For those about to be confirmed_.

| | O G.o.d, who through the teaching of thy Son Jesus Christ didst | prepare the disciples for the coming of the Comforter; Make | ready, we beseech thee, the hearts and minds of thy servants | who at this time are seeking the gifts of the Holy Ghost through | the laying on of hands, that, drawing near with penitent and | faithful hearts, they may be filled with the power of his divine | presence, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For Festivals of Church Choirs_.

| | O G.o.d, in whose Temple at Jerusalem were appointed singers and | those skilled in instruments of music to set forth thy praises; | Be present, we beseech thee, with us thy servants, and grant | that in this our service we may wors.h.i.+p thee in spirit and in | truth, and at last be found meet to glorify thy Name in thy | Temple which is on high; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | O Lord G.o.d Almighty, whose glory the Cherubim, and Seraphim, | and all the host of heaven, with ceaseless voice proclaim; We | beseech thee to look graciously from thy dwelling-place upon | us, thy humble servants, and in thy mercy vouchsafe to accept | our unworthy prayers and praises; for the sake of our only | Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For Primary Schools_.

| | O heavenly Father, whose blessed Son hath said, Suffer the | little children to come unto me; Prosper with thy blessing the | work of all who labour for the instruction and up-bringing of | the young in virtue and true G.o.dliness; grant that as the minds | of thy children are enlightened with knowledge, so their hearts | may be daily drawn to the love of thee and of thy only Son, our | Saviour. And this we beg for the sake of the same Jesus Christ | our Lord. _Amen_.

| | _For Universities, Colleges, Schools, and other places of_ | _learning_.