Table of contents
Section 1 Morning and Evening Prayers
Section 2 Prayers for Personal Use
Section 3 Naval and National Prayers
Section 4 Prayers from the Christian Traditions
Section 5 Devotional Material from Other Faiths
From the Director General Naval Chaplaincy Service & Chaplain of the Fleet
The privilege of defending one’s country comes at a cost. Men and women leave their families and friends behind, endure rough seas or inhospitable terrain, and put themselves in the line of fire. Service at sea or with the Royal Marines also brings out emotions – a strong sense of belonging and responsibility for each other, a feeling of wonder and awe at the sights we see, a willingness to contribute to the lives of those whose countries we visit. To help the men and women of the Naval Service put these circumstances and emotions, aspirations and hopes before the God who created us and who holds us in the palm of his hand, Pray with the Navy has been compiled as an individual’s resource book. Different sections will appeal to different people. Some will want to use the daily structure of Morning and Evening Prayer, while others will only occasionally open the book, looking for inspiration to match a particular prayer or mood. The section of material from the world’s faiths is a rich seam to mine no matter what one’s faith background. Whatever your use of this book, may you be drawn into a sense of at-oneness with God and his creation.
Chaplain of the Fleet
April 2004
The following material is copyright and gratefully used with permission.
The first figure represents the section, the second the prayer number:
2/15, 2/44, 2/48
Extracts from The Alternative Service Book 1980 are copyright
© The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England, 1980; the Archbishops’ Council, 1999 and are reproduced by permission.
2/31, 2/37, 2/50
David Adam, Power Lines, SPCK, London 1992
2/30, 2/64
David Adam, Tides and Seasons, SPCK, London 1989
2/45
Mary Bachelor, The Lion Prayer Collection, Lion Publishing, Oxford 1996
2/51
Colin Fairclough, My Father – Our Father, The Salvation Army, London 1994
2/53
Marjorie Holmes, I’ve got to talk to somebody, God, Hodder & Stoughton, London 1992
2/38
Reproduced from Further Everyday Prayers by David Jenkins, Henry McKeating & Michael Walker (© IBRA 1987), with the permission of Christian Education.
2/16, 2/47, 2/65
Christian Publicity Organisation, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, BN13 1BW
5/1-15
Jean Potter & Marcus Braybrooke, All in Good Faith, World Congress of Faiths, Oxford 1997
The following assert the right to be recognised as the authors of the indicated prayers:
2/9, 2/14, 2/22, 2/29, 2/40, 2/42, 2/61, 2/62, 2/70/ 2/71
The Reverend Alison E P Norman, Royal Navy
2/11, 2/13, 2/17, 2/20
The Reverend Michael J Harman, Royal Navy
2/69, 6/26-27
The Reverend Paul Donovan, Royal Navy
3/14
The Reverend Rory MacLeod, Royal Navy
For many centuries a structured form of Morning and Evening Prayer has proved valuable to Christians in their daily lives. In a moment of quiet we have the opportunity to be with God and to bring to Him our hopes, joys, fears and concerns for others.
Praying Morning or Evening Prayers is simple. It is suggested that you find as quiet a place as possible, with minimum interruption. A selection of prayers and readings for each day are included in this section.
The following list is given as a guide, but not an exhaustive resource, of how you may wish to pray for those with whom you serve, day by day.
Naval Bases
Initial Training Establishments
Professional Training Establishments
Those under training
Those who instruct
Staff in various Naval Headquarters
Fleet Air Arm
Royal Marines
Submarines
Small Ships
Frigates and Destroyers
Capital Ships
Those on deployment
Those serving abroad
Those living with separation
Those in Command
The Admiralty Board
Those coping with ill health or injury
Families of Naval personnel
Naval service recruiting and potential recruits
Civilians employed in support of the Naval Service
Naval Service Support Organisations
Naval Service veterans
Medical and Dental Services
Naval Chaplaincy Service and the Church in the Naval Service
Our Warfare specialists
Our Engineering Specialists
Our Logistics Specialists
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The British Army
The Royal Air Force
Opening Prayer
Waken me, O Lord, Open my eyes to your glory,
Open my ears to your story,
Open my heart to your fire,
Open my will to your desire.
Waken me, O Lord, To your risen power,
To your Presence every hour,
To your never-ending love,
To your coming from above.
Waken me, O Lord, To your peace here today,
To your meeting in the way,
To your speaking in a friend,
To your guiding to the end.
Waken me, O Lord, To your glory. Amen.
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his
pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
(A selection of readings is available at the end of this section You may use readings of your own choice or a lectionary. Your Chaplain will be able to advise if you wish)
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you with steadfast love would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know. Amen.
The Nunc Dimittis
At last, all powerful Master,
You give leave to your servant
To go in peace, according to your promise.
For my eyes have seen your salvation
Which you have prepared for all nations,
The light to enlighten the Gentiles
And give glory to Israel, your people.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
(You may use readings of your own choice or a lectionary. Your Chaplain will be able to advise if you wish)
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
O merciful Lord God and heavenly Father, I offer you praise and thanks for preserving me this night and continually throughout my life. I offer myself and my day to you, but not only today, every day while I live. May your Holy Spirit direct and guide me this day, driving all darkness away from my heart that I may walk in the light of the truth through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Psalm 97
1. The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols --
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgements, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Now into the keeping of God I put all doings of today. All disappointments, hindrances, forgotten things, negligences. All gladness and beauty, love, delight, achievement. All that people have done for me, all that I have done for them, my work and my prayers.
And I commit all the people whom I love to his shepherding, to his healing and restoring, to his calling and making; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 31
1 In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Top
Opening Prayer
May my mouth praise the love of God this morning.
O God, may I do your will this day.
May my ears hear the words of God and obey them.
O God, may I do your will this day.
May my feet follow the footsteps of God this day.
O God, may I do your will this day. Amen.
Psalm 96
1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendour and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
An Order for Tuesday Evening
Opening Prayer
Lord of the night,
Be with me through the hours of darkness,
Let all my questions, problems, decisions,
Be enveloped in sleep that through the mystery
Of the sleeping mind the difficulties of this day
Will be seen to be easier in the morning light.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit. Amen.
Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
5 You hem me in -- behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
TopAn Order for Wednesday Morning
Opening Prayer
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path before me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today – tonight – and forever. Amen.
Psalm 24
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Saviour.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
An Order for Wednesday Evening
Opening Prayer
In your mercy Lord,
dispel the darkness of this night.
Let your people so sleep in peace,
that at the dawn of a new day,
they may, with joy, waken in your name.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 103
1. Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits --
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
In all I do this day,
In all I think and say,
Father, be with me all the way.
In all my work and all my deeds,
In all I learn, in all my needs,
Christ, go before me, the One who leads
In my work as I do my best,
In all that puts me to the test,
Spirit, help me, grant me rest. Amen.
The Benedictus
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel!
He has visited his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour
In the house of David his servant,
As he promised by the lips of holy men
Those who were his prophets from of old.
A Saviour who would free us from our foes
From the hands of all who hate us.
So his love for our fathers is fulfilled
And his holy covenant remembered.
He swore to Abraham, our father to grant us
That free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes
We might serve him in holiness and justice
All the days of our life in his presence.
As for you, little child,
You shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord
To prepare his ways before him.
To make known to his people, their salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins,
The loving-kindness of the heart of our God
Who visits us like the dawn from on high.
He will give light to those in darkness,
Those who dwell in the shadow of darkness,
And guide us in the way of peace.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping that when we are awake, we may watch with Christ, and when we sleep, we may rest in peace. Amen.
Psalm 142
1 I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
3 When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look to my right and see; no-one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge; no-one cares for my life.
5 I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
7 Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Eternal God, who knows neither night nor morning, yet wraps us in love both day and night, lift the curtain of night from the world and the veil from my heart. Rise with the morning sun upon my soul and enliven my work and prayer. May I walk this day in the steps of Him who worked in harmony with your will. Amen.
Psalm 92
1. It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
2 to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the work of your hands.
5 How great are your works, O Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Accept, Lord, our prayer and the work of this day, and grant us the rest we need that we may be ever more willing to worship you and serve our nation. Amen.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for ever.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, strength of those who hope in you, support us in our prayer:
Because we are weak and can do nothing without you
Give us always the help of your grace
So that, fulfilling your commandments,
We may please you in all the desire and do. Amen.
Psalm 118
1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures for ever.
2 Let Israel say:
"His love endures for ever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures for ever."
4 Let those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures for ever."
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and he answered by setting me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray:
And in your mercy defend us
From all the perils and dangers of this night;
For the love of your only Son,
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Psalm 18
1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
Pause for Reflection
Scripture Reading
Pause for Reflection
Personal Prayers - For the needs of the world
- For those with whom we serve
- For those we love
- For ourselves and our concerns
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with me now and always. Amen.
THE SEASONS OF THE YEAR
The herald voices ISAIAH 40:1-8
Behold my servant ISAIAH 42:1-4
John the Baptist MARK 1:1-8
The ideal king ISAIAH 9:2,6,7
The prophecy of peace ISAIAH 2:2-4
The herald of good news ISAIAH 52:7-10
The glory of the Lord ISAIAH 60:1-3,18-20
John the Baptist MATTHEW 3:1-12
How God will judge us MATTHEW 25:31-45
The Annunciation LUKE 1:26-35
The birth of Christ LUKE 2:1-7
The shepherds LUKE 2:8-14
The word made flesh JOHN 1:1-14
The wise men MATTHEW 2:1-11
God’s purpose for all EPHESIANS 3:1-12
One body in Christ ROMANS 12:1-5
Different gifts ROMANS 12; 6-15
Live at peace with all ROMANS 12:16-21
Show love to all ROMANS 13:1-10
Forgive one another COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
The sons of God 1JOHN 3:1-8
Nothing is hidden from God ISAIAH 40:12-18
Seek the Lord ISAIAH 53:1-3, 6-11
Run to win 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-37
Christian love I CORINTHIANS 13
Turn to God JOEL 2:12-17
Don’t be a hypocrite MATTHEW 6:16-21
A Christian example 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-10
The temptation MATTHEW 4:1-11
Self-control 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-8
David sins and repents 2 SAMUEL 12:1-7A, 13
Inner conflict LUKE 18: 9-14
The suffering servant ISAIAH 53:1-11
Confess Jesus as Lord PHILIPPIANS 2:5-13
Daniel at dawn LUKE 22:54-62
A murderer preferred MATTHEW 27:15-21
Crucify him JOHN 19:1-16
The cross LUKE 23:32-43
Seek the things that are above COLOSSIANS 3:1-8
Easter morning discovery JOHN 20:1-10
The walk to Emmaus LUKE 24:13-31
From doubt to belief JOHN 20:19-29
Jesus by the sea of Tiberias JOHN 21:1-13
Life after death 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-22
Share in God’s work 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-10
Peter preaches the resurrection ACTS 10:34-43
Faith overcomes the world 1 JOHN 5:4-12
The good shepherd JOHN 10:11-18
Jesus returns to God JOHN 16:5-15
Be of good cheer JOHN 16:23-33
Let not your heart be troubled JOHN 14:1-14
Creation GENESIS 1:1-3, 26-29
What is God like? ISAIAH 40:18-31
God cannot be less than man JOB 4:13-17
The prodigal son LUKE 15: 11-32
Love is from God 1 JOHN 4:7-17
Wisdom beyond understanding JOB 38:1-18
God blesses Abraham GENESIS 22:1-18
Jacob’s dream GENESIS 28:10-19
Here I am, send me ISAIAH 6:1-8
The call of Jeremiah JEREMIAH 1:4-9
Jesus calls his first disciples MARK 1:14-20
Jesus begins healing MARK 1:21-28
Jesus prays ` MARK 1: 35-39
Opposition to Jesus MARK 2:1-12
Jesus makes friends with sinners MARK 2: 13-17
Parable of the sower MARK 4:1-9
Opposition in home country MARK 6:1-6
The twelve sent forth MARK 6: 7-13
Jesus condemns outward show MARK 7:1-8
Peter’s confession MARK 8:27-30
The way of the cross MARK 8:34-37
Jesus condemns self seeking MARK 9: 33-37
Jesus condemns intolerance MARK 9: 33-41
Demands of his discipleship MARK 10:17-22
Greatest is he who serves MARK 10:35-45
Cleansing of the temple MARK 11:15-17
Civil loyalty MARK 12:13-17
The love of God in Christ ROMANS 8:35-39
The basis of faith 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-11
The mind of Christ PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
The living hope 1 PETER 1:3-9
Enjoy life, but honour God ECCLESIASTES 11:5-10
Remember your creator ECCLESIASTES 12
The beatitudes MATTHEW 5:1-10
The Roman soldier MATTHEW 8: 1-10
The armour of God EPHESIANS 6:10-18
Love one another JOHN 15:12-17
Don’t judge others MATTHEW 7:1-5
Humility LUKE 14:7-11
Our neighbour LUKE 10:25-37
Heroes of faith HEBREWS 11:1-13, 23-40
The Church built on a rock MATTHEW 16:13-20
The Christian fellowship ACTS 2:41-47
How Holy Communion began 1 CORINTHIANS 10:16, 17, 23-26
United we stand 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-14, 21-26
The Church, Christ’s body EPHESIANS 4: 1-7, 11-13
Don’t be anxious MATTHEW 6: 25-33
The Lord’s Prayer MATTHEW 6:5-15
Rejoice in the Lord PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
Love your enemies MATTHEW 5:43-48
Bear one another’s burdens GALATIANS 6:1-7
What God requires MICAH 6:6-8
God is a Spirit JOHN 4:19-24
Don’t just listen JAMES 1:22-27
Protection EPHESIANS 6:13-17
The righteous man 1
The glory of God in nature 8
Men forsake God 14
The good man 15
Tells the glory of God 19:1-11
My God, why have you forsaken me? 22:1-8
Suffering that leads to hope 22:17-19,23-28
The Lord is my shepherd 23
Who shall be with God 24
The Lord is my light 27:1-10
Worship the Lord 29
You are my guide 31:1-10
The Lord will help the righteous 34:11-19
Trust in God 43
God is our hope and strength 46
Cleanse me 51:1-10
Early will I seek you 63:1-9
You visit the earth 65:9-14
God be merciful to us 67
I rejoice in God 84:1-11
Your truth is on every side 89:9-17
The Lord is our defence 91:1-4, 9-16
It is good to give thanks 92:1-6
Let us sing to the Lord 95
Sing, rejoice and give thanks 98
O be joyful in the Lord 100
The earth is full of God’s riches 104:24-27
Seafarers 107:23-31
Teach me Lord 119:33-40
Your word is a lantern 119:105-112
I will lift up my eyes 121
I will call to you 130
You know me 139:1-12
The Lord is loving 145:9-14
O praise God in his holiness 150
1
God our heavenly Father, I pray that you will watch in your loving care over my home and family; keep them from all harm and danger and may your presence always be with us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2
God, our heavenly Father, look in love upon my family and friends. Protect them from harm, comfort them in loneliness and prosper them in all good things. Let no shadow come between them and me to divide our hearts and in your own good time bring me home to them again; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3
Lord Jesus Christ,
I praise and thank you for my parents
(and my brothers and sisters)
whom you have given me to cherish.
Surround them with your tender loving care,
teach them to love and serve one another in true affection
and to look to you in all their needs.
I place them (all) in your care,
knowing that your love for them is greater than my own.
Keep us close to one another in this life
and conduct us at last to our true heavenly home.
Blessed be God for ever. Amen.
4
Thank you, good Lord, that you are in every place and that neither time nor space can separate us from you; and that those who are absent from one another are still present with you. Keep safe my loved ones from whom I am now separated and grant that both they and I, by drawing nearer to you, may be drawn nearer to one another through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
5
I pray for my children who are growing up in a rapidly changing world and need security. Protect them from my fears, worries and insecurities. Let them enjoy the happiness of childhood: the joy of playing for playings’ sake, the wonder of discovering nature and of learning how things work. May they always have people whom they can trust and above all, let them discover you. Amen.
6
God our Father, hear my prayer for all those whom you have given me to love. By the love you have for them, I pray to you:
protect them from all harm
deliver them from all evil,
comfort them in sorrow,
reassure them in anxiety.
Give them your own gladness and draw them to yourself. Amen.
7
O Father of all, make me a good parent to my children. Give my husband/wife all the help he/she needs when I am at sea or away from home. Let my times at home be times of happiness and opportunities for the renewal of love between each of us, my husband/wife and our children. As long as I go out to sea may it be my constant joy to return home to those whom you have given me as my own, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
8
Holy Father, in thy mercy hear our anxious prayer:
Keep our loved ones now far absent, ‘neath thy care.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God the One in Three,
Bless them, guide them, save them, keep them
9
Lord, it’s hard to think of those at home without feeling alone. Help me to remember them with thankfulness, knowing that in their hearts and mine, the distance between us is really very short. Thank you for those whom I miss; thank you for the value they give to my life; thank you for the good memories of times spent with them; thank you that I may look forward to time spent with them in the future. Help me to remember that with you beside me, and them thinking of me, I am never alone. Amen.
10
O God, who gave marriage and friendship as a blessing to humanity, bless … and me, and unite us in the bond of true love. Help us both to cope with the pain of separation and remove anything that would spoil our trust in one another. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
11
Lord Jesus Christ, who left your home at Nazareth to fulfil your purpose, be with me now, away from those I love. Give me your strength to go forward on my journey through life that I may fulfil the purpose you have for me. Amen.
12
God our Father, whose Son Jesus Christ left the shelter of his home at Nazareth to pursue his life’s work, be with me and with those I love in our time of separation. Give us strength in loneliness or temptation and grant that we may return to be worthy of the love so freely poured upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
Heavenly Father, as … and I look forward to our marriage and our life together, we ask your special blessing, now and always; in happy times may we be thankful together; in sad times may we comfort one another; in difficult times may we be forgiving of one another. In whatever we do, may we know that your strength and love binds us together, and so determine to keep the promises we shall make to each other in your name. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
14
Lord, thank you for the gift of my child. Bless … with many joys in life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
15
God our Father, maker of all that is living, we praise you for the wonder and joy of creation. We thank you from our hearts for the gift of this child …, and for the privilege of parenthood. Accept our thanks and praise through Christ our Lord. Amen.
16
Lord Jesus Christ, we come to you with our baby, to give this new life into your care.
As weakness turns into maturity may our child grow to love and trust you.
Lord Jesus, draw us together in deeper love and understanding
so that our child may grow up in security and peace. Amen.
17
Heavenly Father, I pray for … my child and ask for your strength and guidance, that I may bring him/her up in your ways. I ask this in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
You are always calling us
to follow you into the future,
inviting us to new venture, new challenges
new ways to care,
new ways to touch the hearts of all.
When we are fearful of the unknown, given us courage.
When we worry that we are not up to the task,
remind us that you would not call us
if you did not believe in us.
When we get tired
or feel disappointed with the way things are going,
remind us that you can bring change and hope
out of the most difficult situations. Amen.
19
O God, who hast bound us together in this bundle of life,
give us grace to understand how our lives depend on the courage,
the industry, the honesty and integrity of us all.
Grant that during our training we may be
heedful of the needs of others and so build up a
unity of purpose that will be of benefit to our Service and the community which we serve. Amen.
20
Heavenly Father, I seek your blessing in this time of learning. Be with all on this course and those who train us. In those things which challenge us, may we know your strength; in those things we find easy, may we know your humility; in all things may we truly prepare for service to you and humankind. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
21
Guide me, teach me, strengthen me
till I become such a person as you would have me be:
truthful and high-minded, brave and able,
courteous and generous, dutiful and useful. Amen.
22
Father, it often seemed that this day would never come, that the obstacles were too high, the demands too great. Yet by your strength and the encouragement of those with whom I have shared this time, today I rejoice.
Thank you for friends made, skills learnt, the discovery of my true potential. As I leave this place, make me ready to face new opportunities, conscious that this is not the end of the challenge but only the beginning. In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.
On Promotion
give me also the strength to perform them,
so that he may complete the work he has begun in me
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
24
Lord, help me to be confident in myself that I may be of service to others; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
25
Almighty God, who has made us so that we may live in company with one another, grant us the guidance of your Holy Spirit that together we may learn kindness, self-control, loyalty and courage. Help us to overcome our faults and grow in all that is good and true, so that we may follow the example of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Make me faithful in times of routine
and prompt to decide and courageous to act in any time of crisis.
Protect me in the dangers and the perils of the sea
and even in the storm grant that there may be
peace and calm within my heart.
When I am far from home and far from loved ones
and far from the country which I know,
help me to be quite sure that, wherever I am,
I can never drift beyond your care.
Take care of my loved ones in the days and weeks and months when I am separated from them
sometimes with half the world between them and me,
and every time that we have to part,
bring us together in safety and in loyalty again.
This I ask for your love’s sake. Amen.
(SEAFARERS PRAYER BOOK)
Be with us, O Lord, on this voyage, to cheer us and keep us safe in all dangers. Let nothing afloat, in the air, beneath the waves or on shore, cut us off from you. May we please you in everything we do.
Bless all on board, whatever their responsibility. Help us to be a good Ships’ Company and bring us back again in safety to our homes, and those who long for our return, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
28
Eternal Father, I ask you to behold your people gathered together under the wide expanse of heaven. Give us, Lord, the things that are needful this day in body, mind and spirit, and above all, the will to serve you and to reflect your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
29
Lord, in the midst of a storm, you ordered the waves to be still and they were. As the storm goes on around us now, it is easy to be afraid. Help me to find your calm in my heart that I may have peace. Amen.
30
From storms of the night,
From dark oceans wave,
From billowing crest,
From the watery grave
Save us, Lord, save.
From tempests that roar,
From hurricane’s rave,
From rock-strewn shore,
From things that deprave
Save us, Lord, save. Amen.
31
The storms rage about me;
keep them Lord, without me.
Troubles would confound me;
let them not surround me.
Evil would ensnare me;
let it not come near me.
Calm the winds, make the waves cease,
Enfold me Lord, in your peace. Amen
In times of war or tension
32
Lord, we lay before you this time of crisis. In your great love, look in pity upon the wounded and prisoners; cheer the anxious; comfort the bereaved; succour the dying; have mercy on the fallen; and hasten the time when war shall cease in all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
33
Teach us, Good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward save the joy of knowing that we do your will. Amen.
Prayer of St Ignatius Loyola
34
O Lord, thou knowest how busy I must be this day;
If I forget thee, do not thou forget me;
for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Sir Jacob Astley before the Battle of Edgehill, 1642
35
God, who knows us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers that by reason of our own frailty we cannot always stand firm; grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
36
Lord, in the garden of Gethsemane
you shared with everyone who has ever been afraid.
You conquered fear with love
And returned saying, “Do not be afraid!”
In the light of your love, death has lost its sting and so has fear.
Lord, may your love be the key that releases me from fear. Amen.
37
From empty hours and waning powers
Good Lord, deliver us.
From lack of peace and mind’s disease
Good Lord, deliver us.
From sore disgrace and lack of face
Good Lord, deliver us
From feeling tense and lack of sense
Good Lord, deliver us
Be with us to protect us,
Within us to pacify us,
Behind us to defend us,
Before us to lead us,
Near us to comfort us,
Above us to lift us,
Beneath us to support us. Amen.
38
Thank you Father, for all homecomings,
all rediscoveries of friendship
which make us realise how important the past is
and how much we need a sense of continuity in our relationships.
You are a thread in all our comings and goings.
Never let us ignore you or the part others have played in our lives.
Amen.
39
O Lord our God, and God of our fathers!
Mercifully direct and guide our steps to our destination
and let us arrive there in health, joy and peace!
Keep us from snares and dangers
and protect us from any dangers that we may meet along the way.
Bless and protect our journey!
Let us win favour in your eyes and in the sight of those around us.
Blessed are you, O Lord, who hears and grants our prayers. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS
In sickness
40
Lord, I hate to feel ill and miserable. Give me healing; patience to wait till I am fit again; gratitude for those who care for me, and the peace that will restore my well- being. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
41
Healing power of Jesus Christ, fall afresh of me.
Touch me, stir me, unfold me, love me.
When someone close is ill or injured
42
Lord Jesus Christ, friend and healer of the sick, I pray for ........... who is ill. Be with them. Give them peace and rest until they are restored to health. Amen.
43
Have mercy, Lord, on …….. who has been injured. His/her family is far away, so be his/her strength and help us to be a comfort and help. Give peace and patience and be with the family to reassure them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Death & Bereavement
44
Heavenly Father, into whose hands your Son Jesus Christ
commended his spirit at his last hour; into those same hands we now commend your servant …… that death may be the gate to life and eternal fellowship with you; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
45
I bring before you, O Lord Christ, …… whose earthly life is almost at an end. Lessen their fear, encourage them on their journey and give them the peace that comes from your victory over death. Amen.
46
Heavenly Father, I entrust…. into your care. At this time when sorrow has darkened my life, direct my eyes to that glimpse of light and hope which only you can give. Remind me that safe in your love, I am never separated from those whom I love, who are in your nearer presence. Amen.
47
Lord Jesus Christ, in the darkness of my loss I come to you; I cannot believe what has happened and yet I know that it is true; sorrow and anxiety fill my life and it’s hard to find rest. So I come to you, Lord Jesus I bring to you the burden in my heart – it is too heavy for me; please take the weight and bear it with me, Lord and give me your peace. Amen.
48
Heavenly Father,
whose Son, our Saviour took little children in his arms and blessed them: receive, we pray, your child ….. in your never failing care and love; comfort all who have loved him/ her on earth and bring us all to your everlasting kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
49
Lord Jesus Christ, you took little ones in your arms and laid your hands upon them and blessed them. Assure us that you have taken our child …… into your arms and into your care, that he/she and we together are enfolded in your love. Amen.
When afraid
50
Lord, enfold me in the depths of your love
and there hold me.
Renew my being, refine, refresh, restore me.
Raise me up and remould me.
until my whole being is aglow with your glory and goodness,
gracious and generous God. Amen.
51
Dear God, I need you, I desperately need you. I’m so scared and unsure of myself. But you, Lord, can lift me from the misery of my circumstances. Please do this, Lord, that I may again see your glory.
I need to feel the warmth of your light, to bask in its warm glow.
Comfort me, O Lord, cradle me in your strong yet gentle arms.
Shield me from harm, most of all from that which comes out of my own mistrust.
Let me be free to experience pain made bearable by your limitless grace and your abounding love.
And if I cannot see you, yet will I still trust you. Amen.
52
Help me to live this day quietly, easily,
to lean upon thy great strength trustfully, restfully,
to await for the unfolding of your will patiently, serenely
to meet others peacefully, joyously,
to face tomorrow confidently, courageously. Amen.
53
Help me Lord to keep my sanity and my strength. God please take some of these interminable troubles from me. Disperse them, deal with them through some other channel. Surely I have been used enough. There is not much left.
Lord, restore me, give me strength.
But, oh, release me for a little while too. Please give me a respite from these problems. Amen.
54
O Lord, we know we very often worry about the things that may never happen. Help us to live one day at a time and to live it for you: for your Name’s sake. Amen.
55
Set free, O Lord, my soul from all restlessness and anxiety; give me that peace and power which flow from you; keep me in all perplexities and distresses, in all fears and faithlessness; that so upheld by your power and stayed on the rock of your faithfulness, I may, through storm and stress remain in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
56
Son of God, who worked as a craftsman, grant that we may know the satisfaction of a job well done. When we become weary, comfort us with the knowledge that we have done our best; when we are badly rewarded, keep us from bitterness. Amen.
57
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
58
God, give me strength to run this race,
God, give me power to do the right,
and courage lasting through the fight;
God, give me strength to see your face,
and heart to stand till evil cease,
and at the last, O God, your peace. Amen.
59
O Lord, help us always to praise rather than to criticise;
to have sympathy rather than to condemn;
to encourage rather than to discourage;
to build rather than to destroy;
to think of people at their best rather than at their worst;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
60
God, who gives me life, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things guide me day by day, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
61
Lord Jesus Christ, be present in this house. Be with us in all the joys and sorrows that we will face here. Inspire us to fill this place with your love, that it may truly be a home and haven for us and a blessing for all who seek our hospitality. Amen.
62
Father, I give you thanks for all that is now ending and all that I have enjoyed. Although there are regrets in moving on, help me to look forward in hope and trust. Remind me that it is only in looking ahead that I can face the future. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
In Trouble
63
O God, help me to be cheerful when things go wrong, persevering when things are difficult, kind to those in need, sympathetic to those whose hearts are heavy or sad.
Grant that nothing may make me lose my temper, nothing may take away my joy, nothing may ruffle my peace of mind and nothing may make me bitter or resentful. Throughout this day, grant that those with whom I work and those whom I meet may see in me the reflection of the Master whose child I am, and whom I strive to serve. Amen.
When in need of reassurance
Hold me with your hand,
Guide me by your grace,
Lift me by your might,
Save me by your strength,
Enfold me in your love. Amen.
65
O God, I am lonely.
You know how depressed I get.
You know how time passes so slowly for me.
You know how at times I feel bitter and resentful.
O God help me to welcome those who offer friendship,
to look for those who need to be comforted
so that in giving I may have no time for loneliness.
Thank you for promising never to leave me alone,
that in quietness and rest I shall find your strength. Amen.
66
Lord, may the Helper, the Holy Spirit who comes from you, fill my heart with light and lead me to all truth as your Son promised, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
67
Lord, I am depressed. I have lost my vision and life seems meaningless. I don’t know where I am going, and I can hardly keep on. Make me realise that you are with me when I am depressed, guiding and helping, even though I may not know it. Your Son also knew the misery of human frustration. Help me to meet it as he did, with patience and resignation. Amen.
68
Grant me, Lord, to know your will for me, and when I know it, the courage to carry it through; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
69
Lord, you know me better than I know myself:
there is no hiding from you.
You know the inflection in my voice,
my turn of phrase, the actions that no one else sees,
the omissions that others do not notice.
The real intentions in my heart and mind are naked before you.
I may struggle to ask forgiveness of others for wrongs I have done,
I may try and shield my eyes from your gaze,
but, Lord, grant me the grace to admit to myself
that I have done wrong,
so that I can begin to live with myself
and approach you for your healing hand.
of this relationship that has gone;
to surrender to you my pain and the hurt ;
to let go of any bitterness and anger I feel;
to trust in you to reassure me that I am of worth.
Lord, heal me, that in time I may look back on what has been, with thankfulness and laughter for all that had been good, that in remembering these things, I may live as a richer and better person. Amen.
In thanksgiving
71
Thank you Lord for the gift of life and all its blessings. Especially today I thank you for......... Sometimes I take you for granted and forget that in your love, you give your children all good things.
Now I remember, so thank you God. Amen.
72
Almighty God, accept my thanks that you have kept me safe through this (particular situation) and for all the good things you have given. Amen.
1
The Naval Prayer
O eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end: Be pleased to receive into thy almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from the dangers of the sea and of the air and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and her dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Islands and Commonwealth may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land with the fruits of our labours and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2
The Naval Collect
Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favours and further us with thy continual help that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the great God whom I worship, grant to my country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet. For myself individually, I commit my life to him that made me, and may his blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Before the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805
4
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidds’t the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those I peril on the sea.
O Christ, whose voice the waters heard,
And hushed their raging at thy word,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep
And calm amidst the storm didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Holy Spirit who didst brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease
And gave, for wild confusion, peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of Love and power
Our brethren shield in dangers hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe
Protect them whereso’er they go:
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
O Lord, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour in any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same until it be thoroughly finished that yieldeth the true glory; through Him who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6
Eternal Lord God, ruler of the earth and sky,
Be pleased to receive into your protection all who go down to the
sea in ships and work upon the waters.
Preserve them in body and soul:
Prosper their labours with good success;
In times of danger be their help and defence and bring them safely into port;
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
7
Our Ship
Almighty Father, look, we pray you, upon this ship and grant that all who live and serve in her may be true to the example your Son has set for us. Take from us all selfishness and jealousy which may prevent unity and fellowship. This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
O eternal Lord God, who through many generations has united and inspired the members of our Corps, grant your blessing, we beseech you, on Royal Marines serving all around the Globe. Bestow your crown of righteousness upon all our efforts and endeavours, and may our laurels be those of gallantry and honour, loyalty and courage. We ask these things in the name of him whose courage never failed, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Fleet Air Arm
O God, who dwells above the water and has the power to still the raging of the sea, accept the prayers of all your servants who commit their lives to the dangers of the sea and the air. In all their ways, enable them to serve you in a godly and faithful way, and in their Christian lives reflect your glory throughout the world. Through all their journeys, watch over them that they may overcome evil, temptation or anything that harms their souls, so that through all the changes and chances of this life, you will bring them by your mercy to the sure promise of your everlasting kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
10
From your humble servants beneath the sea:
In the depths of ocean oft we stray,
So far from night, so far from day;
We would ask your guiding light to glow
To make our journey safe below.
Please oft times grant us patient mind,
Then ‘ere the darkness, won’t us blind.
We seek thy protection from the deep
And grant us peace whene’er we sleep.
Of our homes and loved ones far away
We ask you care for them each day,
Until we surface once again, to drink the air and feel the rain.
We ask your guiding hand to show
A safe progression, sure and slow.
Dear Lord please hear our prayer to Thee
From your humble servants beneath the sea. Amen.
11
Royal Naval Reserve
Almighty God, bless, we beseech you, those who serve in the Royal Naval Reserve. Grant them your grace that they may even be found ready to fulfil their duty and to set forward your will at all times: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
12
Almighty God who wills that all should dwell in safety, we hold in prayer before you all members of the Royal Naval Reserve; remembering them wherever they are throughout the world and the Divisions in which the serve. Grant that through their fellowship of service to our Commonwealth they may find true friends; and being trained to take their part in our defence by sea, may prove themselves enduring, skilled and resolute in war and peace; through him who came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We pray, O God for all seafarers as they fulfil the duties and face the dangers of their calling: the officers and men of the Merchant Navy; the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; the keepers of lighthouses and crews of lightships and weatherships; the pilots of our ports; all who carry out the services of docks and harbours; and those who man lifeboats and guard our coasts. Grant them your strength and protection and keep them in the hours of special need; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
14
An SBS Prayer
We do not seek an easy life. Rather we pray for courage to face every task as and when it may arise. Bless our loved ones and may they know how much we appreciate them. Equip us to resist evil, protect the vulnerable, pursue what is right, with guile to use our strength wisely. And guard us with humility, that we may not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, nor underestimate others. So enrich our knowledge of you our Creator that we may acknowledge the Holy Spirit as friend and guide, for the sake of Christ our Saviour. Amen.
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious, happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
God save the Queen!
16
O God, the King of Righteousness, guide our rulers and all who lead us in the ways of justice and peace; inspire us to break down all tyranny and oppression, to gain for all people their due reward, and
from each of us due service; that we may each live for all, and all
may care for each other; in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
17
Eternal Lord God, watch over our Queen and country at this time and grant us to do your will on earth. Give your guidance to those who bear command by sea, land or by air; remember us your servants, together with all sailors, soldiers and airmen, and hold us in your keeping in life or death. Comfort the wounded, have mercy on the fallen, calm the anxious and strengthen the bereaved, and give us your peace again; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
18
Almighty God, who in love towards your people did call St David to
be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries; mercifully grant
that, following his purity of life and zeal for the whole Gospel of
Christ, we may, with him, receive your heavenly reward; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
19
St Patrick’s Day (17 March)
O God, who in your providence did choose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, that the light of the gospel might shine in their midst; grant that they may so walk in that light, that they may show forth your glory before the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
20
St George’s Day (23 April)
Lord God, who gave grace to your servant St George to lay aside the fear of man and confess you even to death: grant that we and our countrymen may think lightly of earthly honour and seek rather to please him, the captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your holy Apostle, St Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of your Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay; grant to us all, that we, being called by your Holy Word, may give up ourselves obediently to fulfil your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us, this day, our daily bread
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever. Amen
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen
2
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
3
Come O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Amen.
4
O God, our Father, you teach your family by the light of the Holy Spirit. By the same Spirit, grant that we may always be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is dying that we are born to eternal life,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublesome life, until the shades lengthen and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life over and our work done; then Lord, in your mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
7
Prayer of Richard of Chichester
Thanks be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the cruel pains and insults thou hast borne for me; for all the many blessings thou hast won for me. O holy Jesus, most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly, day by day. Amen.
May the strength of God support us;
May the power of God preserve us;
May the wisdom of God instruct us;
May the hand of God protect us
May the way of God direct us;
May the shield of God defend us;
May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world;
May Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us.
May thy salvation, O Lord, be always ours, this day and for evermore. Amen.
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
For he has been mindful
of the state of his humble servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me –
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation,
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants for ever,
even as he said to our fathers.
10
The Rosary is meditation and prayer. Twenty themes from the Gospels help to focus upon the mystery of our salvation. There are 4 sets of “Mysteries”: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. Within each mystery, five “decades” concentrate on a particular moment of importance. Praying the rosary involves meditating on each decade as one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Glory be is said. The rosary is normally said with the help of rosary beads or a rosary circle.
Joyful Mysteries:
The Annunciation to Mary
The Visitation to Elizabeth
The Birth of Jesus
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries:
The agony in the garden
Jesus is scourged at the pillar
Jesus is crowned with thorns
Jesus carries his Cross
Jesus dies on the cross
The Glorious Mysteries:
The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Luminous Mysteries
The Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
The 14 Stations of the Cross were originally “stopping places” in Jerusalem where pilgrims meditated of the passion and death of Jesus. Used especially in Lent, the Stations of the Cross focus the mind on the key points of our salvation. We make the stations by looking at tableaux pictures of the 14 scenes and saying prayers. At each Station we may say the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
I love you, Jesus, my love above all things; I repent with my whole heart for having offended you. Never permit me to separate myself from you again. Grant that I may love you always, then do with me what you will.
First: Jesus is condemned to death
Second: Jesus carried his cross
Third: Jesus falls the first time
Fourth: Jesus meets his distressed mother
Fifth: Simon helps to carry the cross
Sixth: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Seventh: Jesus falls the second time
Eighth: Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem
Ninth: Jesus falls the third time
Tenth: Jesus is stripped of his garments
Eleventh: Jesus is nailed to the cross
Twelfth: Jesus dies on the cross
Thirteenth: Jesus is taken down from the cross
Fourteenth: Jesus is laid in the tomb
12
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary….
Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
Be it done to me according to your word.
Hail Mary….
And the Word was made flesh:
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary….
Pray for us Holy Mother of God
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts , that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may be brought by his passion and cross to the glory of his resurrection through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us, the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
14
My God, I believe in you and all that your Church teaches, because you have said it, and your word is true.
15
My God, I hope in you, for grace and for glory, because of your promises, your mercy and your power.
My God, because you are so good, I love you with all my heart, and for your sake I love my neighbour as myself.
O my God, because you are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you and by the help of your grace, I will try not to sin again.
18
Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia.
The Son whom it was your privilege to bear, alleluia.
Has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray to God for us, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, alleluia!
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!
1
Hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love.
Dhammapada
2
The planters of groves and fruitful tree
And they who build causeways and dams
And wells construct and watering sheds,
And to the homeless shelter give:
Of such as this, by day, by night
Forever merit give.
The Buddha: Samvutta-Nikaya
3
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness
And one who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright
Straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied,
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways,
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skilful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Sutta-Nipata
4
Let us pray in our hearts for a League of Souls and a United World. Though we may seem divided by race, creed, colour, class and political prejudices, still, as children of the one God, we are able, in our souls to feel brotherhood and world unity. May we work for the creation of a United World in which every nation will be a useful part, guided by God through man’s enlightened conscience. In our hearts we can all learn to be free from hate and selfishness. Let us pray for harmony among the nations, that they may march hand in hand through the gate of a fair new civilisation.
Parmahansa Yogananda
5
Heavenly Father, teach me to remember thee in poverty or prosperity, in sickness or health, in ignorance or wisdom. May I open my closed eyes of unbelief and behold Thine instantaneously healing light.
Parmahansa Yogananda
6
Our loving Father, help us to remember thee always, as the God of our family, as the bond of our union, as our Protector and Guide, and as our Master whose holy will we are able to do in all our actions. Fill our hearts with love and enable us to give to everyone the love, reverence and tenderness that are due to him or her. May we love and honour our parents in heart, word and deed, treat our brothers and sisters with uniform kindness and tenderness. May husband and wife be ever true to their holy union and may parents set and example of kind and holy behaviour to their children. Enable us all to bear patiently with the defects and shortcomings of one another, to serve one another, and help one another in difficulties, and keep us free from anger and selfishness. Give us strength to do our allotted duties faithfully and enable us to realise, by living sweet and holy lives, the ideal of a happy and blessed home.
Brahmo Samaj
7
O Allah! Give us steadfastness in obedience and keep us far from sin. Give us sincerity in intention, and knowledge of that which is sacred; bestow on us guidance and constancy, seal our tongues with reason and wisdom, fill our hearts with knowledge and learning, keep us clean from within from what is forbidden and from those things of which we are uncertain, keep our hands from oppression and stealing, hide from our eyes immorality and treachery, and close our ears to foolish talk and calumny.
Grant this through Thy Overflowing Generosity and Thy Mercy, O Merciful and Compassionate!
The Holy Qu’ran
8
O Allah! Give me light and purity, and preserve me from all disease, sickness, calamity or corruption, and also through this washing, purify my heart, my body, my bones, flesh and blood, my hair and skin, my brain and nerves and every place I touch on earth, and provide me with a witness on the day of my poverty, necessity and requirement.
Said during the pilgrimage of Hajj
9
O you who have attained to faith: be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God; verily God is aware of all that you do.
The Holy Qu’ran
10
Heal us, Lord, and we shall be healed; save us, and we shall be saved; for it is You we praise. Send relief and healing for all our diseases, our sufferings and our wounds; for you are a merciful and faithful healer. Blessed are you, Lord, who heals the sick.
Jewish Service Book
11
Eternal God, Eternal Ruler
Who makes peace and creates all things;
Help all of us, that we may ever adhere to the concept of peace,
So that true and abundant peace prevail between man and man, between husband and wife,
And no strife separate humanity even in thought.
You make peace in you heavens, you bring contrary elements harmoniously together:
Extend abundant peace to us and to the whole world
So that all discords be resolved in great love and peace and with one mind
And one heart all come near to you and your law in truth,
And all form one union to do your will with a whole heart.
Eternal God of peace, bless us with peace.
Nahman of Bratzlav
12
God of our strength, in our weakness help us; in our sorrow comfort us; in our confusion guide us. Without you our lives are nothing; with you there is fullness of life for evermore.
Jewish Service Book
13
As a child intentionally or unintentionally
Commits many bad deeds
the father tells off, scolds
Then teaches and explains in many ways
Then holds and embraces the child.
In the same way, the Lord blesses and forgives past sins
And shows the right way.
Adi Granth
14
God does not let his servant suffer a difficult hour
Such is his prerogative
God puts his healing hand upon his people
Sustains them in every breath
I am attached to the Lord
Saviour in the beginning
Saviour at the end and always.
Adi Granth
15
Awake in peace, sit in peace
Understand this message, leave fear and be serene
The Saviour is our one Lord.
Sleep without fear, awake without fear
Everywhere you are present O Lord
Peace at home and peace outdoors.
Adi Granth
SECTION 6
BEFORE DINNER
1
Nelson’s Grace
God save the Queen. Bless our victuals and make us thankful. Amen.
2
The Chaplain of the Fleet’s Grace
Lord bless our Queen, our dinner and the Fleet in which we serve. Amen.
3
Chaplain of HMNB Portsmouth’s Grace
Lord bless our meal
and the friendship of the table. Amen.
4
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
5
Lord, upon our dinners your blessing be; our fare, our wine, our cheer – and as we rise upon the morn may God save us. Amen.
6
For the food we eat and those who prepare it;
for health to enjoy it and friends to share it, we thank thee. Amen.
7
The Selkirk Grace
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it.
But we hae meat, and we can eat
And sae the Lord be thanket. Amen.
8
O Lord, when hunger pinches sore,
Do thou stand us in stead,
And send us from thy bounteous store
A tup or weatherhead! Amen.
9
And may our meal by you be blest. Amen.
10
praise the Lord for He is kind.
All things living he doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need. Amen.
11
which our Lord shared among the multitude,
and grace from the King who made the sharing,
be upon us and our partaking. Amen.
God is great, God is good,
Let us thank him for our food. Amen.
13
God bless our meate;
God guide our ways;
God give us grace our Lord to please.
Lord, long preserve in peace and health
Our gracious Queen Elizabeth. Amen.
14
For what we are about to receive,
may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.
15
Lord, make us thankful for these and all your other mercies;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
16
Bless O Lord, this food to our use and us in your service,
and keep us mindful of the needs of others. Amen.
17
For what we have received may the Lord make us truly thankful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
18
We thank you, O Lord, for this food and for all your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
19
Lord, for these and all your gifts, we give you thanks. Amen.
20
For good food, good wine and good fellowship,
we thank thee, O Lord. Amen.
21
For food and for wine, and those who have prepared and served it, we give you thanks good Lord. Amen.
22
O Lord, since we have feasted thus,
Which we so little merit,
Let Meg now take away the flesh,
And Jock bring in the spirit. Amen.
23
We give thee thanks Almighty God for all thy benefits
which we have received from thy bounty;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
24
For bread and wine
And Auld Lang Syne
God’s holy name be praised. Amen.
25
For well-filled plate
And brimming cup
And freedom from the washing up.
We thank you Lord. Amen.
Nelson’s grace above is traditionally used.
26
We ask thy blessing, Lord of all,
That all who in this meal do share
Might e’er enjoy thy tender care.
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
27
We give thee thanks, O Lord of Hosts,
For vict’ry off Trafalgar’s coast.
And for the cheer which this meal brings
We give thee thanks, O King of Kings.
Now ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.