I pause in the imagined stories of past traumas to offer prayers for those affected by current world events, using the Great Litany from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. Often this prayer is used during Lent, but can be used at any time.
Prayers are needed for all the disasters of earthquake, fire, and flood across the globe due to climate change; the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan; the world-wide on-going COVID 19 Pandemic; the racial, social, economic, medical inequities facing so many; the misinformation feeding fears and divisions; and the multitude of other trauma we are assailed with from our news feed and all media.
We can too often forget the power of prayer. The bad news can make us feel that we are in a wasteland. However, we are promised For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. God does hear and honor prayer offered in sincerity and love. I invite you join in a week of prayer.
O God,
Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy on us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy on us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Remember
not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither
reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you
have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us, for
ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
From
all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil;
and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From
all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy,
hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity, [esp. teach us to hear one another's stories and work for healing and reconciliation]
Good Lord, deliver us.
From
all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world,
the flesh, and the devil,
From
all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of
your Word and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
From
lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague,
pestilence, and famine, [remembering esp. those who are suffering loss of life
and property due to these events across the world]
Good Lord, deliver us.
From
all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder;
and from dying suddenly and unprepared, [praying esp. for those who are caught
in the midst of violence, at home and abroad]
Good Lord, deliver us.
By
the mystery of your holy Incarnation; by your holy Nativity and submission to
the Law; by your Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation, By thine Agony and Bloody
Sweat; by your Cross and Passion; by your precious Death and Burial; by your
glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.
In
all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of
death, and in the day of judgment, [and help us to remember those less fortunate at all times]
Good Lord, deliver us.
We
sinners pray that you will hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please you to
rule and govern your holy Church Universal in the right way,
That
it may please you to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons, with true
knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that both by their preaching and
living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to bless and keep all your people,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to send forth laborers into your harvest, and to draw all
mankind into your kingdom,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive your
Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and
are deceived,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to give us a heart to love and fear you, and diligently to
live after your commandments,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you so to rule the hearts of your servants, the President of the
United States, the leaders of all nations, and all others in authority, that they
may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all
nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples, [praying esp. for those in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and other places where war is the norm]
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to show your pity upon all prisoners and captives, the
homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed, [esp. those
inordinately afflicted and affected by inequities of food, medical care, jobs,
racism, and other injustices in our nation and around the world]
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to give and preserve to our use the bountiful fruits of the
earth, so that in due time all may enjoy them,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which you
give us to do with singleness of heart as your servants, and for the common
good,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to preserve all who are in danger by reason of their labor or
their travel,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to preserve, and provide for, all women in childbirth, young
children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by
strife,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind,
body, and spirit; and to comfort with your presence those who are failing and
infirm,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger,
necessity, and tribulation, [esp. those in Haiti, those affected by floods, wildfires, and drought and all those in places wracked by devastation brought on by war]
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to have mercy upon all mankind,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins,
negligence, and ignorance; and to fill us with the grace of your Holy Spirit to
amend our lives according to your holy Word,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to
turn their hearts, [and help us to forgive as you have taught]
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to strengthen those who stand; to comfort and help the
weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under
our feet,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace,
[esp. the millions lost to COVID 19]
We pray you will hear us, good Lord.
That
it may please you to grant that, in the fellowship of all the saints, we may
attain to your heavenly kingdom,
We pray you will hear us, good Lord. Son of God, we pray you to hear us.
O
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Grant us your peace.
Amen
and Amen
You may want to conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, also offers this prayer:
Eternal God, hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. There is a profound humanitarian crisis. Countless people, mostly women and children, are now fleeing and vulnerable. The lives of many are now endangered. The hopes of many are forgone. Send your Spirit, Lord, to rally the resolve of the nations of the earth to find pathways to save human lives, protect human rights, and to resolve the hardships of those seeking refuge, asylum, and safety. Hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. This we pray as followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
