CHAPTER 1

Community, Nation and World

For the president and civil authorities

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation toyour merciful care, that being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure inyour peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of thisState (or commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to knowand to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, andmake them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear;through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the HolySpirit, one God, world without end. Amen. [820]

Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy uponthis whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants The President of theUnited States, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, thatthey, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honor andglory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority theybear, may faithfully and obediently honor them, according to thy blessed Wordand ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghostliveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen. [28BCP, 132]

O Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dostfrom thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseechthee, with thy favor to behold and bless thy servant The President of the UnitedStates, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thyHoly Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way.Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperitylong to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy andfelicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [28BCP, 17]

For the human family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance andhatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite usin bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish yourpurposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve youin harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen[815]

For the future of the human race

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over allthe earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us newinsight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determinationin making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through JesusChrist our Lord. Amen. [828]

In time of an epidemic

O most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee untothee for succor. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength andskill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of fortheir cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, wemay apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [28BCP, 45]

For innocent victims

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem byKing Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims;and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish yourrule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives andreigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Amen. [238]

For cities

Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City towhich the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, thecities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life.Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, andoppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order,and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents mayfind with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christour Lord. Amen. [825]

For commerce and industry

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil andhallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those whocarry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; andgive to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; throughJesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the HolySpirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. [259]

For working toward the common good

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we doaffects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, thatwe may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek aproper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations ofother workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; throughJesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, oneGod, for ever and ever. Amen. [261]

In times of conflict

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of ourstruggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred orbitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; throughJesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [824]

For our country

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humblybeseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favorand glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning,and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride andarrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into oneunited people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust theauthority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that,through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations ofthe earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and inthe day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we askthrough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [820]

Almighty God, the source of all life, giver of all...