Monday, March 23, 2009

Praying with the Book of Common Prayer

Lenten Program March 18, 2009
Praying with the Book of Common Prayer

Our inheritance of common prayer
When the disciples came to Jesus begging him that he would teach them to pray, he gave them not twelve several forms, though James’s special needs differed from John’s and Simon’s from Jude’s—he gave them not twelve but one. “When ye pray” was his answer, “say Our Father.” That was the beginning of Christian Common Prayer. Because we are men, we worship; because we are fellow-men, our worship must have form.
—William Reed Huntington
A Short History of the Book of Common Prayer 1549–1892

Various renditions over the years:
From the beginning, the Book of Common Prayer has begun with Morning and Evening Prayer. These were intended for daily use.

I think that this is a statement of the place of prayer in people’s day to day lives. These prayers were to be in the common language, i.e., accessible to all.

In the earliest versions of the prayer book, prayers were imbedded in the various services and rites and most of the collects appeared as part of the “INTROITES, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS…”. The first American Book of 1789 listed prayers and thanksgivings in the table of contents. This tradition continued as part of the American prayer books. In the 1928 Prayer book, a section of Prayers and Thanksgivings followed Evening Prayer, and prayers for families followed the Catechism near the end of the book. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer included additional prayers for use in the services and by individuals and put them in one place—following the Psalms on page 810—with references to other prayers in the book.

A couple of my favorite prayers—found through wonderful serendipity


A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care that surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

p. 836, BCP
The Rev. Dr. Charles P. Price

Prayers for use by a sick person
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord, I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen
p. 461, BCP
The Reverend Dr. Theodore Parker Ferris

From Evening Prayer and Compline

A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen
Pp. 70 and 123, BCP
From Roman breviary of Paul VI


Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Pp. 124 and 134, BCP
From the writings of Saint Augustine of Hippo
63. In the Evening

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
p. 833
Based on a passage of a sermon by John Henry Newman; found or composed by the Rev. George W. Douglas, c.1876

Thursday, March 12, 2009

New Age Music by Any Other Name

Who would not be intrigued by
Rockabye Baby! Lullaby renditions of Metallica

This must be a CD for my favorite grandson. More acceptable than ABBA ??

Now perchance I didn't test out enough tracks, but the first two were an insult to Enya et al. I couldn't bear to go on. No melody, just soft chords, on and on and on.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

First Sandal Day of 2009


One of the best days of the year is the day I get to wear sandals for the first time in the spring. Even though spring is officially two weeks away, it is warm enough today to bring out the sandals. Denim skirt, french blue shirt, and my blue Tevas. Wheee!