My Blog

Tag: Prayers

  • Thanksgiving 2018

    Our Thanksgiving Day service at Saint Andrew's Cathedral will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 22. If you are in the vicinity, please attend. Come as you are, bring family, friends, or neighbors to this beautiful, inspiring place dedicated to the glory of our bountiful Creator.

    Also, I want to encourage you to make your meal a true feast of Thanksgiving for those who gather with you around the table. The Book of Common Prayer of The Episcopal Church provides many resources to help us join together in expressing our gratitude to God on our national day of thanksgiving. Our Hymnal also is filled with words and music to express our gratitude. I commend these worship resources to you and pray that you and those you love will enjoy a truly Happy Thanksgiving!

    The Collect for Thanksgiving Day

    Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    Prayers for Our Country

    Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your 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 you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    A Litany of Thanksgiving

    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.

     

    Hymn 397 – Now Thank We All Our God 

    DOWNLOAD LYRICS FOR NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

     

    I’ll see you in Church!

    Ron Short Blue Sig Cropped

     

     

     

     

    The Very Reverend Ron Pogue
    Interim Dean
    St. Andrew's Cathedral
    Jackson, Mississippi

     

  • Pray for Oklahoma!

    We are shaken by the news of the massive tornado that touched down yesterday, May 20, in Moore, Oklahoma.  Here are some resources for responding in ways that will help those whose lives are affected by this devastating storm.

     

    PRAYERS

    On the Occasion of a Disaster

    Compassionate God… Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and
    anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary,
    encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through
    the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who liveth and reigneth
    with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

    — Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints (Church Publishing: New York), page 733

    A Prayer for First Responders

    Blessed are you, Lord, God of mercy, who through your Son gave us a
    marvelous example of charity and the great commandment of love for one
    another. Send down your blessings on these your servants, who so
    generously devote themselves to helping others. Grant them courage when
    they are afraid, wisdom when they must make quick decisions, strength
    when they are weary, and compassion in all their work. When the alarm
    sounds and they are called to aid both friend and stranger, let them
    faithfully serve you in their neighbor. We ask this through Christ our
    Lord. Amen.

    — Adapted from the Book of Blessings, #587, by Diana Macalintal

    Prayer for Preparedness and Response

    O God, our times are in your hand.  In the midst of uncertainty lead
    us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and
    hope.  Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger;
    and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and
    mourn.  And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us
    so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

    — The Rev. Lyndon Harris, from the Episcopal Diocese of New York disaster preparedness plan

    For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement

    O merciful Father, who have taught us in your holy Word that you do
    not willingly afflict or grieve your human children: Look with pity
    upon the sorrows of your servants for whom our prayers are offered.
    Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience,
    comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance
    upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Book of Common Prayer, page 831

     

    CONTRIBUTIONS

    Give through your local church, your denominational relief agency, or to a church or judicatory in Oklahoma.  Here are some Episcopal Church links:

    Episcopal Relief and Development

    Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

     

    TALK WITH CHILDREN AND TEENS

    Many of those who were injured or killed in this tornado were children.  Our own children may have fears about their own safety as they hear the news and identify with them.  HERE are some helpful thoughts to guide you as you spend time and talk about this tragedy with the children and teens in your life. This resource was originally prepared following the Haiti earthquake and contain appropriate guidance in any tragic situation that touches the lives of those for whom we care.

     

    A public official in Oklahoma, speaking with a reporter this morning, said, "In Oklahoma, when a neighbor comes to your home asking for help, we take them in and care for them.  That's what we do."  Those of us who are far from Oklahoma can't provide that kind of direct care for our neighbors in Moore, Oklahoma.  But we can "take them in" to our homes through our prayers, our contributions, and by caring for those near us who look to us for wisdom and reassurance.

    Blessings to you and yours,

    Ron Short Sig Blue