Prayer Of Commendation

I am nearly finished with my first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, where I have had the opportunity to serve as a Hospital Chaplain Intern.

The other day, I was called to perform “Last Rites” for a patient. Upon arriving to the room, I discovered that the patient was already deceased. After informing the family that 01: The Roman Catholic tradition only performs rites for the living, and, quite relevant, 02: I am not Roman Catholic and couldn’t do it even if it were such a thing. They said neither were they; they just wanted someone to perform a prayer.

I looked for a non-Roman Catholic Prayer of Commendation and couldn’t quite find what I was looking for, so I wrote one. It’s a little long for what I’d like to use it for and I will probably make some edits, or rewrite it completely, but I thought I’d pass it along in its current form if anyone’s interested (feel free to use and edit as helps you).

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Saving and Sustaining Creator; 
hear us as we gather
in the quiet remembrance of death.
From dust we came
and to dust we shall return. 
As our dear one has departed this realm,
some day, so shall we.

Creator who saves, and sustains,
help us make the most our days. 
May we carry your blessing of Love to all we meet,
for our days our few and the needs are many
Show us that Your Love sustains.

We commend our dear sister/brother ____________ to the journey ahead,
To them we say:

may you return to the God who formed you, 
may the angels and the saints; 
all those who have gone ahead
guide you as you go forth from this life to the next. 

Dear sister/brother ____________
May the God who created, saves, and sustains,
bring you freedom from your suffering, 
and peace of spirit,
welcome you with open arms 
into the garden of paradise, 

and may you hear those words we all long to hear:
“Well done, my good and faithful servant,”
Find your rest in that heavenly home
where there is no more disease,
no more sickness,
no more sadness,
no more tears,
and no more suffering; 
remember us as you take your place in the eternal.”

Creating, Saving, and Sustaining God, 
guide this dear one and us to our eternal home,
Give us the courage to continue our lives in sacrifice for others,
following the path of peace,
guided by Love. 

We pray with humble confidence
knowing our shortcomings
and your abundant mercies. 

Hear our prayers, 
guide our hands, 
heal our hearts. 
Amen.

A Prayer For Justice From The United Church of Christ

“Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world
as your love would have it:
a world where the weak are protected,
and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the riches of creation are shared,
and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races and cultures
live in harmony and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice,
and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.”

(taken from the United Church of Christ “Prayers” page)

Prayer For Social Justice From The Episcopal Church (Book Of Common Prayer)

“Grant, O God,
that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart
[and especially the hearts of the people of this land],
that barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease;
that our divisions being healed,
we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.”

(From the Book of Common Prayer as read by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry)

• See/hear/download other prayers as read by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at the official Episcopal Church website.

• Purchase the Book of Common Prayer at Amazon.

A Prayer For Resurrection Sunday

“Almighty God,
who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life:
Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection,
may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.”

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• Found in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

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Prayer In Time Of Epidemic (1951 Lutheran Book Of Prayer)

Heavenly Father,
We beseech Thee to turn from me and fellow citizens the destruction and terror of this epidemic.
I pray Thee,
stay the hand of the Angel of Death
as he proceeds from dwelling to dwelling.

I ask Thee, above all, to draw me closer to Thee
as Thy chastening rod afflicts us.
Grief-stricken and fearful,
may we not despair of Thy mercies.

Grant me the grace in humble repentance
and sincere faith to look to Thee,
who turns all things to the good of them that Love Thee.

Grant the necessary wisdom and success
to those who strive to stem the tide of afflication,
and quicken our hearts to bear the burdens of one another’s grief and need.

Lord, in Thy mercy save us.

I am mindful of my many shortcomings and transgressions.
Blot them out that I may find peace
and rest for my soul.
Make me sure of my salvation through Thy Word.
Then give healing and relief
according to Thy good will in Christ Jesus,
our Lord and Redeemer.

Amen.

(taken from the 1951 Lutheran Book of Prayer)

"A Prayer from Apollo 8 for Universal Peace"

On Christmas Day (25 December 1968), astronaut Frank Borman broadcast the following prayer from Apollo 8*:

“Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in the world in spite of human failure.
Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness.
Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts.
And show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.
Amen.”

*(taken from the “Justice Prayers” section of Xavier.edu’s “Jesuit Resources” page)

A Prayer for World Peace, 1978

“We pray for the power to be gentle;
the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding;
and the endurance to accept the consequences
of holding on to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.”

We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall no longer lead men or women to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace,
praying always for the inspiration and the power
to fulfill the destiny for which we and all men and women were created.

- Author Unknown, Offered by Beth Amyot

• Found at Xavier.edu // Jesuit Resource page.

A Jesuit Prayer For Peace

We are moulded, each one of us,
in the image of God,
and within our souls there is a fingerprint
none can erase.
We pray for those who have no regard
for anyone but self,
who put no value on human life.
For nations and individuals who abuse and kill.
We are not called to be judge or jury,
but we are called to be agents of change,
and if the butterfly that flaps its wings
should be our attitude to others
then so be it, Lord,
and may the hurricane this generates
somewhere within the world
reach into the hearts and souls of those
for whom we pray, and reveal to them
how precious are those
for whom they have no love,
and how precious are they
who now bring tears to the eyes of God.”

• Found at Xavier.edu // Jesuit Resource page.
  

A Prayer For Ash Wednesday (Psalm 51)

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.”

A Prayer "For Courage to Do Justice"

“O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others

Open my ears that I may hear their cries;
Open my heart so that they need not be without succor;
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong,
Nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed,
And use me to bring them to those places.
And so open my eyes and my ears
That I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee.”

- Alan Paton, South Africa, United Methodist Hymnal #456

Prayer For Peace From The Episcopal Church (Book Of Common Prayer)

“Almighty God,
kindle, we pray, in every heart
the true love of peace,
and guide with your wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth,
that in tranquillity your dominion may increase
until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.”

(From the Book of Common Prayer as read by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry)

• See/hear/download other prayers as read by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at the official Episcopal Church website.

• Purchase the Book of Common Prayer at Amazon.

Prayer For Peace (From The Book of Common Prayer)

“O God, the Father of all,
whose Son commanded us to love our enemies:
Lead them and us from prejudice to truth:
deliver them and us from hatred,
cruelty, and revenge;
and in your good time
enable us all to stand reconciled before you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.”

Douglas Kaine McKelvey Prays For Discernment

“Give us discernment
to know when to pray,
when to speak out,
when to act,
and when to simply
shut off our screens
and our devices,
and to sit quietly
in your presence,
casting the burdens of this world
upon the strong shoulders
of the one who
alone
is able to bear them up.”

– Douglas Kaine McKelvey, Every Moment Holy

• Visit Douglas Kaine McKelvey’s official website.

• Purchase Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey at Amazon.

Advent Week Four

The Collect

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament // Isaiah 7:10-16

“Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”

The Epistle // Romans 1:1-7

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Gospel // Matthew 1:18-25

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.”

Advent Week Three

The Collect

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 35:1-10):

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. “

Prayer Refrain:

“Prepare our hearts 

and remove the sadness 

that hinders us 

from feeling the joy and hope 

which his presence will bestow.”

Intercessory Prayer:

God of joy and exultation,
you strengthen what is weak;
you enrich the poor
and give hope to those who live in fear.
Look upon our needs this day.
Make us grateful for the good news of salvation
and keep us faithful in your service
until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives for ever and ever. Amen.

New Testament Reading (James 5:7-10):

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Prayer Refrain:

“Prepare our hearts 

and remove the sadness 

that hinders us 

from feeling the joy and hope 

which his presence will bestow.”

Advent Week Two

New Testament Reading:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:32-37)

The Collect:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading:

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1-10)

Prayer:

“Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”

First Week Of Advent (Mary Consoles Eve // Mary's Magnificat)

Virgin Mary and Eve
Crayon & pencil drawing by Sr Grace Remington, OCSO
© 2005, Sisters of the Mississippi Abbey.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever” (Luke 1:46-55 // ESV)

Thanksgiving Day Prayers (Lutheran Books of Prayer)

“Great and merciful God and Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, on this day of our national thanksgiving, I appear before Thee with gratitude in my heart and praise upon my lips. I extol Thee who hast opened Thy hands to supply our needs and Thy heart to forgive us our many sins. Thou hast permitted our fields to be tilled, the seed to be sown, the grain to ripen, the harvest to be gathered, gardens and orchards to give their yield. Thou hast prospered industries and business. Thou hast blessed the labors of our hands. Thou has preserved peace within our borders and spared our country from the horrors of war. Thou hast mercifully permitted the nation to pursue its course under the protection of our Constitution, granting us liberty of conscience and worship, freedom of speech and movement. I confess that we are unworthy of all these many blessings and undeserving of Thy love. Forgive us our many transgressions, and draw us closer to the heart of Christ, our Redeemer, who has atoned for all our iniquities. Continue Thy blessings on our beloved land; grant us an enduring peace and continued prosperity; graciously provide employment for all breadwinners. Let Thy Gospel be preached throughout the length and breadth of the nation for the salvation of many souls. Hear me for the sake of Thy Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. (1951 Lutheran Book of Prayer)

Heavenly Father,

From whom come all good and perfect gifts,

from whom come mercies new each day,

from whom come blessings beyond measure:

Accept our thanksgiving

for protection and those who provide it,

for daily bread and those who prepare it,

for clothing and those who manufacture it,

for family and those dear to us,

for friends and those associated with us,

for jobs and those working with us,

for social security and support programs.

We confess we think too little

about the fact that we deserve nothing,

about the many who serve us,

about the blessings of Your Spirit.

We pray You,

forgive our ingratitude,

open our eyes to behold Your goodness,

fill our hearts with thankfulness,

make us respond in appreciation,

help us to serve in love.

We thank You: through Christ, our Lord,

Your best gift to us. Amen.

(1970 Lutheran Book of Prayer)

A Litany of Thanksgiving (Book of Common Prayer)

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

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Taken from the Book of Common Prayer Online.

A Morning Prayer of Thanksgiving (Book of Common Prayer)

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants
do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all men.
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Amen.

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Taken from the Book of Common Prayer Online.