A Novena for the United States
Unofficial Alert: This is not, to my knowledge, officially approved for use within the Western Rite in either Antioch or ROCOR. I merely pass it along so our beloved readers can sanctify their celebration of the national (not ecclesiastical) holiday. With that said, I note "The Russian Observations Upon the American Prayerbook" declared many of these specific prayers contained nothing "open to objection the dogmatic side." But it's strictly for those interested and completely unofficial...like everything else on my worthless blog, unless otherwise stated. -- BJ.
George Washington's Prayer for the Nation.
ALMIGHTY God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
[Written at Newburg, June 8, 1783, and sent to the Governors of all the States. Published in the Army Navy Hymnal, 1942]
A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.
O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee, with Thy favour to behold and bless Thy servant THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to Thy will, and walk in Thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
¶ Or this,
O LORD our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; we commend this nation to Thy merciful care, that being guided by Thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. AMEN.
¶ Or this,
ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of Thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek Thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to Thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. AMEN.
A Prayer for Congress.
MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech Thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that Thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of Thy glory, the good of Thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of Thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. these and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and Thy whole Church, be humbly beg in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. AMEN.
For a State Legislature.
O GOD, the fountain of wisdom, whose statutes are good and gracious and whose law is truth; We beseech Thee so to guide and bless the Legislature of this State, that it may ordain for our governance only such things as please Thee, to the glory of Thy Name and the welfare of the people; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. AMEN.
For Courts of Justice.
ALMIGHTY God, who sittest in the throne judging right; We humbly beseech Thee to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of Thee alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN.
For Our Country.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favour and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
For Schools, Colleges, and Universities.
ALMIGHTY God, we beseech Thee, with Thy gracious favour to behold our universities, colleges, and schools, that knowledge may be increased among us, and all good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look unto Thee, Who art the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
For the Armed Forces.
ALMIGHTY God, we commend to Thy gracious care and keeping the Armed Forces of our country at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with Thy heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations, give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of thine abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
¶ Or this,
O GOD, Whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth: we humbly beseech Thee graciously to behold and bless those who serve in the defence of our country; defend them from all dangers of soul and body, and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee, may be bound together by thy love in the communion of thy Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of
thy Saints. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
¶ Or this,
WE IMPLORE Thy grace and protection, O Lord, for the Air Force of our country: direct the members thereof in all their ways; defend them from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take them, and all who are dear to them, under Thy fatherly care and protection. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
¶ Or this,
O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; Vouchsafe to take into Thy almighty and most gracious protection our country's Navy, and all who serve therein. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve Thee our God, to the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
¶ Or this,
O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray Thee, Thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endure them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
For Those who have died in service of our Country.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in Whose hands are the living and the dead; We give Thee thanks for all those Thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them Thy mercy and the light of Thy presence, that the good work which Thou has begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. AMEN.
¶ Or this,
ALMIGHTY God, we remember this day before Thee thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country: and we pray Thee that, having opened to them the gates of larger life, Thou wilt receive them more and more into Thy joyful service; that they may win, with Thee and thy servants everywhere, the eternal victory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Labels: devotions
posted by Ben Johnson at 12:52 AM
2 Comments:
I would wonder if there would actually be opposition to officially allowing such prayers in the AWRV. After all, in the Byzantine Rite, there is a petition during the Great Entrance "For the President of the United States, all civil authorities, and all armed forces."
Unofficial food for thought from this green priest...
Ah, we're falling into Americanism, the star spangled heresy... (just kidding) ;-)
Seriously, though, do a google search on the "Americanist heresy." It'll make for some interesting 4th of July reading material.
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