Prayers

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. — Matthew 18:20

Whenever we gather — for meetings, for fellowship, for social ministry — God is with us. On this page, find prayers for whatever situation we find ourselves in together. 

 

Church School/Bible Study

Almighty God, your word is a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path:  Grant that in prayerful reading of the Holy Scriptures we may realize our fellowship with you and one another; through Jesus Christ your incarnate word.  Amen. 

(PNO, p. 53)

 

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

(BCP, p. 261)

 

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning.  Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

(PNO, p. 53)

 

O God, our heavenly Father, through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ you have made known your tender care for children:  Grant your blessing we pray, upon our church school.  To those who teach give intelligence and patience, and to those who are taught the desire to learn and the will to walk in the way of your commandments.  Amen.

(PAO, p. 86)

Choir

 

O God, who inspired David the King both to write songs and to appoint singers for your worship:  Give grace to the singers in your Church, that with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, we may sing and make music to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (BOS, p. 187)

 

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven:  Be present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to us even now glimpses of your beauty, and make us worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Chris our Lord.  Amen. 

(BCP, p. 819)

Commission & Vestry Meetings

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church.  Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory.  Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

(BCP, p. 818)

 

Direct us, O Lord in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life.  Amen.

(BCP, p. 832)

 

O God, by your Holy Spirit you endowed men and women with spiritual gifts for service in your church: We thank you that you have called us to help in the extension of your kingdom on the earth.  As we seek together now to discover how and where we can best serve you, make known to us your will and give us the spirit of understanding and obedience that as we see what you would have us do, we may devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the doing of it.  Keep us faithful to you in our daily lives, and help us in our everyday work to find opportunities to serve you, to your honor and glory.  Amen.

(PAO, p. 112)

 

O Lord, whose holy apostle has taught us that as members of your body we all have our part to play in the work of your church:  We thank you for this work which you have given us to do together.  Grant us grace to persevere in it, and through it to serve you to your honor and glory.  Amen. 

(PAO, p. 84)

 

O Lord, without whom our labor is lost:  We beseech you to prosper all works in your Church undertaken according to your holy will.  Grant to your workers a pure intention, a patient faith, sufficient success on earth, and the blessedness of serving you in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

(BOS, p. 195)

Meals

Bless, O Lord, this food to our use and us to your service, and keep us ever responsive to the needs of others; for Christ’s sake.  Amen. 

(PAO, p. 37)

 

We give thanks to you, Almighty God, for these your earthly gifts.  As our bodies are strengthened and refreshed, so may we be made strong in our souls to glorify you in our lives.   Amen.

(PAO, p. 38)

 

We thank you, Lord, for our daily bread for body and soul.  Keep us every mindful of your good providence.  Amen. 

(PAO, p. 37)

Social Ministry Activities
  • Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve:  Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

    (PNO, p. 108)

     

    Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works.  Amen. 

    (PNO, p. 51)

     

    Lord, you have shown us what is good:  Enable us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you.  Amen. 

    (PNO, p. 44)

     

    O God, your Son Jesus Christ said that we minister to him when we clothe the naked, give food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, and visit the sick and imprisoned:  Go with all those who, following the command of your Christ, [serve the world] in his Name; who lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen. 

    (BOS, p. 191)

Connected Through Faith

One of the best ways to respond to fear is with faith.
Here are some resources to nourish your soul:

Book of Common Prayer and other prayer books
Resources from The Episcopal Church
Daily Prayer from Forward Movement
​Poetry & Podcasts for Uncertain Times from ONBEING.ORG
Some resources for Children & Families:
https://ministry-to-children.com/online-childrens-church/
Tucked In: Bedtime stories and prayers with Episcopalians and others

Online Resources from The Episcopal Church

Forward Movement: https://www.forwardmovement.org/Products/CategoryCenter/FMFREE/Free.aspx

A ministry of The Episcopal Church, Forward Movement has been inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists around the globe since 1935 through our offerings that encourage spiritual growth in individuals and congregations.

 

Lectionary: http://www.lectionarypage.net/index.html

A liturgical calendar for upcoming weeks with links to the lessons for Sundays and major Holy Days from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL)

 

The Jesus Movement: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/jesus-movement

As the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, and followers of Jesus’ Way, we seek to live like him. We’re serious about moving out to grow loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with God (evangelism); to grow those relationships with each other (reconciliation); and to grow those relationships with all of creation (creation care).

 

The Episcopal Diocese of New York: https://www.dioceseny.org/the-diocese/

 

The Online Book of Common Prayer: https://www.bcponline.org

 

The Way of Love: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/explore-way-love

The Way of Love, a “rule of life” focused on practices for a Jesus-centered life.

 

Bible Study Resources

 

Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com

Online, searchable Bible with many versions available.

 

Oremus Bible Browser: http://bible.oremus.org

Bible reference search help.

 

Book of Common Prayer (PDF): https://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/book_of_common_prayer.pdf

 

Parallel Gospel: http://www.para-gospel.com 

The Synoptic Gospels presented side-by-side.

 

For Teaching Children

 

Storypath: http://storypath.upsem.edu

Connecting literature to our faith story.

 

Lesson Plans that Work: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/lessons/

Lesson plans for all ages that match the weekly readings from the Lectionary.

 

Worshiping With Children blog: http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/p/lectionary-index.html

Ideas for including children in the congregation’s worship, following the Lectionary.

 

Social Justice and Mercy Programs of the Episcopal Church

 

Episcopal Migration Ministries: https://episcopalmigrationministries.org

Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) lives the call of welcome by supporting refugees, immigrants, and the communities that embrace them.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development: https://www.episcopalrelief.org

Episcopal Relief & Development works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. We also work around the world and here in the US responding to and rebuilding after disasters.

 

The Episcopal Public Policy Network: https://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/?0

Within a range of Episcopal Church policies, we focus on several key areas determined by the Church’s priorities of evangelism, reconciliation, and environmental stewardship, and issues where the Episcopal Church can have a unique and important voice at the federal level.

 

Domestic Poverty: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/domestic-poverty

The Episcopal Church addresses domestic poverty in many ways: through its network of over 600 Jubilee Ministries; one- and two-year Justice and Advocacy Fellowships based on the Anglican Marks of Mission; Asset-Based Community Development; collaboration with diocesan and congregational ministries across the country; and annual block-grant programs for the development (or enrichment) of local ministry.

 

Racial Reconciliation: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/stream/racial-reconciliation

Racial reconciliation programs of the Episcopal Church.

 

Native American/Indigenous Ministries of the Episcopal Church:  https://www.episcopalchurch.org/indigenous-ministries

Ministry working for the full inclusion of Native Peoples in the life and leadership of the church.