Let us pray (in silence) [that we hold fast to the conviction that God’s purpose cannot be defeated]
Pause
O God,
your providence is unfailing,
remove from our path, we humbly pray, whatever is harmful
and grant us those things that work for our good;
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
I am delighted to have discovered yet another collect (opening prayer) held in common between Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and others. This coming Sunday (9th in Ordinary Time; Proper 4), Christians use the prayer above prayer which we have been praying for at least thirteen centuries.
It provides a wonderful encouragement to preach about providence. The readings dovetail to provide reflection on the true God.
Please add any comments and suggestions below. This collect will be added to my Book of Prayers in Common.
Click on this link to find my commentary and reflection on this collect: Ordinary 9.
Some, in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, will be celebrating “Te Pouhere Sunday” this coming Sunday (with its own set of readings!) I, as much as possible, want to hold to our ecumenical connections (the Revised Common Lectionary); I don’t like themed Sundays; and I think we should, as much as possible, be celebrating the great acts of God on Sunday. That being said, I see no problem with mentioning Te Pouhere in the service, in hymns, songs, prayers, and sermon.
Others will move this Thursday’s feast day [of Corpus Christi (or after Vatican II renamed The Body and Blood of Christ – Latin: Sollemnitas Sanctissimi Corporis et Sanguinis Christi)] to Sunday.
From the New Zealand Prayer Book page 541:
Praise and glory to you creator Spirit of God;
you make our bread Christ’s body
to heal and reconcile
and to make us the body of Christ.
You make our wine Christ’s living sacrificial blood
to redeem the world.
You are truth.
You come like the wind of heaven, unseen, unbidden.
Like the dawn
you illuminate the world around us;
you grant us a new beginning every day.
You warm and comfort us.
You give us courage and fir
and strength beyond our every day resources.
Be with us Holy Spirit in all we say or think,
in all we do this and every day.
Amen
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