Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

Jenifer Gamber is a trusted author of several bestselling books for youth in the Episcopal Church, including My Faith, My Life and Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People. She is a sought-after speaker on topics related to Christian formation, teen spirituality, and Christian parenting. She serves as chaplain at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and assistant rector at St. Patrick’s Parish in Washington, DC, where she lives.

Sharon Ely Pearson a retired Christian educator, editor, and author with 35-plus years of experience in Christian formation on the local, judicatory, and church-wide level. Known for her knowledge of published curricula across the church, she has written or edited numerous books. She is a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and a lifelong Episcopalian. She lives in Norwalk, Connecticut.

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CALL ON ME

Morehouse Publishing

Contents

Chapter One

Give us each day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

Prayer is a way of responding to God's love and blessings. There are many ways to pray—with words, by actions, alone, with friends, or with your church community. You can even pray together with others across the world.

In the Episcopal Church, we have The Book of Common Prayer, a collection of worship services and prayers that everyone in the church can say together. That's why we call it "common prayer." When we come together to worship with others, we are following Jesus' example, "For when two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20).

The Episcopal Church has worshipped with a Book of Common Prayer for nearly five hundred years. Thomas Cranmer, a church leader in England, compiled the first Anglican prayer book in 1549. The English language has changed a lot since then and so has The Book of Common Prayer. Even though the one we use today is from 1979, new prayers are written all the time. You can find some in new books called Enriching Our Worship and even on the Internet. All are written for the same basic reason: so that as a people of God we can pray and worship together.

No matter where you are, when you pray these common prayers, you are not alone. You are praying with many others around the world as one body with Christ.

Daily Devotions

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1–2

Devotions are ways that we can pray along with reading the Bible. You can say devotions any time of the day. One tradition is to pray at fixed hours such as 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and so on. A schedule for prayer is called the horaria. Choosing a fixed time to pray each day establishes a familiar rhythm, which will help you maintain your practice even on those days you don't feel like praying. If you've chosen to pray when you wake up each morning at 6 a.m., your body and mind will remind you, "It's time to pray." It's like eating regularly. If you're used to eating dinner at 6 o'clock, your stomach starts growling at about 5:30. Your body reminds you that it's time to eat. The same is true for your soul.

You can choose your own horaria based on your schedule during the year. It might be different during the school year than during the summertime or when you are at camp. Consider praying in the same place or in the same posture. Our memories reside in our thoughts as well as our bodies. Are you used to kneeling during prayer at church? You might find kneeling to be a good way to focus on prayer. Some people have a special chair or corner of their room for prayer. You can create your own place by keeping your Bible and gathering items that remind you of God on your desk, dresser, or small table. By praying every day we can develop a stronger relationship with God.

The devotions here are from The Book of Common Prayer. What's neat about these prayers is that other people are saying these very same words—people in your own town or city, across the country, and even in other countries. Once you've established your practice, you might try writing your own devotions.

In the Morning

From Psalm 51

Open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence * and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again * and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

A Reading

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

A period of silence may follow.

A hymn or canticle may be used; the Apostles' Creed may be said.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers and thanksgivings may be offered for ourselves and others.

For whom and what shall we pray? For what shall we give thanks?

Offer prayers and thanksgivings silently or aloud.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.

The Collect

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.

At the Close of Day

Psalm 134

Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, * you that stand by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord; * the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.

A Reading

Lord, you are in the midst of us and we are called by your Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God. Jeremiah 14:9, 22

The following may be said

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 and thanksgivings for yourself and others may follow. It is appropriate that prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of the day, and penitence for our sins, be included.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save...