In both the offices of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, The Book of Common Prayer of The Episcopal Church includes a series of prayers called Suffrages. In ecclesiastical use, the word Suffrages refers to a series of intercessory prayers. The ones in the current liturgy are the latest version of Suffrages that Anglican Christians around the world have been praying daily since 1549.
In the offices, the Suffrages are arranged in a responsive fashion with the letter “V” representing the versicle. A versicle is a little verse, usually from the Psalms, said by the officiant. The letter “R” represents the response to the versicle. Here are the Suffrages to which I want to draw your attention:
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Notice that a little over half of the Suffrages are intercessions for the world, the nation, and the vulnerable. The prayers we offer don’t change God. They call upon God to express those divine qualities and yearnings God has already revealed to us through Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. When words of prayers leave our lips, it is we who ought to be changed – to become more godly in our words and deeds. These Suffrages, then, prompt us to shape our lives and our behavior to align with the qualities and yearnings of God, especially toward the world, the nation, and the vulnerable among us.
When we pray prayers like this, to borrow a meaningful phrase from the late Congressman John Lewis, we are making “good trouble.” When we pray prayers like this, we are on the verge of becoming the change we would like – and God would like – to see. When we pray prayers like this, we are stepping into the role of ally for those who work for peace and healing, seek justice and truth, and foster tangible hope for those in any kind of need.
As a response to the precarious situation in which we find ourselves, I am making a renewed commitment to pray the Suffrages every day through the end of this year. I invite you to join me.
If you are inclined to pray the entire morning and/or evening office that would be great too. If you have a Book of Common Prayer, you can turn to it. Or there are several online offerings that may be even more helpful in that they provide the daily readings as well as the prayers. I’d be happy to know that some of you are joining me in the Suffrages alone, if that is something you feel moved to do. You choose the time of day. For some, the morning or evening might be most meaningful. For others, the Suffrages might be most appropriate after watching the news or following one of the daily outbursts to which we are becoming all too accustomed.
If something in your life changes because of this spiritual discipline, please let me know!
Blessings,
The Very Reverend Ron Pogue
P.S. Here are several online resources.