"Give Thanks to the LORD" - 7 August 2016

“Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12.4-6). We have sung your praises, we have declared your great deeds, and now we give you thanks for your great favor poured out on us: for food, friends, family, health, homes, hope, vocations, voices and vitality. For we acknowledge that it is you who upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145.14-16).

Supreme Sovereign who sits enthroned over all, we call upon you to move the nations of the world in such ways that peace may prevail, war be averted, the Gospel unhindered, and the Church unmolested. And we ask for you to preserve our own land. May our leaders and those who govern be guided by godly wisdom for the good of all – free born, foreign born and unborn.

You who execute justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry; who sets the prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind; who lifts up those who are bowed down and loves the righteous; who watches over the sojourners and upholds the widow and the fatherless, and brings the way of the wicked to ruin (Psalm 146.7-9): we pray for the poor, sick, hungry, elderly, disabled, jobless, depressed, hurting and broken…may your grace be for them a fountain of hope and relief.

O God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2.3-4), we pray for those who have yet to receive Christ into their lives, as well as those who have strayed away, and those who are troubled in their faith….bring them to respond to your grace with faith, hope and love.

Our Father in heaven, look upon your family, your Church throughout the world, and especially in Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; San Marino; Sao Tome and Principe; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Serbia; Seychelles; and Sierra Leone. Let your continual pity and compassion cleanse and defend your Church; and because she cannot continue in safety nor success without your aid, please preserve, prosper and preside over her evermore by your help and goodness.

O God, most holy, wise and powerful Preserver and Governor of all your creatures and all of our actions: Keep us this day and this week in health of body and soundness of mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and charity with our neighbor; and further all of our lawful undertakings with your blessing. In our labor strengthen us; in our pleasure purify us; in our difficulties direct us; in our perils defend us; in our troubles comfort us; and supply all our needs, according to the riches of your grace in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

{Portions of the last two petitions I have picked up and modified from the Book of Common Prayer and another source that escapes me}