​Prayer Page
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May we pray with you?


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photo by Bryan Harris

May we pray for you?
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 Eternal Spirit of the living Christ, I know not how to ask or what to say; I only know my need, as deep as life, and only you can teach me how to pray. Come, pray in me the prayer I need this day; help me to see your purpose and your will—where I have failed, what I have done amiss; held in forgiving love, let me be still. Come with the vision and the strength I need to serve my God, and all humanity; fulfillment of my life in love outpoured—my life in you, O Christ, your love in me.  Amen.

-Br. Jim Woodrum,  Society of Saint John the Evangelist
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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

for the Nation, BCP. 258
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Beautiful Easter Lillie's remind us of Resurrection!

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​O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
BCP page 815
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​In praying for others we learn really and truly to love them. As we approach God on their behalf we carry the thought of them into the very being of eternal Love, and as we go into the being of him who is eternal Love, so we learn to love whatever we take with us there.

-Richard Meux Benson, SSJE (1824-1915)
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From Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE
So perhaps at the beginning of each day, we might ask
God to bless our eyes, our ears and all our senses that we may be alert to the signs of God’s Kingdom breaking into our lives.
Lord, help me not to miss the treasure.
There is a very beautiful Dominican prayer of the 13thcentury which I commend to you, and which would be a perfect one to start your day. I would like to end with it now.
Let us pray.
May God the Father bless us. May God the Son heal us. May God the Holy Spirit enlighten us, and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, hands to do the work of God with, feet to walk with, a mouth to preach the word of salvation with, and the angel of peace to watch over us and lead us at last, by our Lord’s gift, to the Kingdom.
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​Images of God
 
Thea Bowman (1937–1990) was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Her advocacy and commitment to intercultural awareness impacted many, including Father Richard...Here Sister Thea offers images of God from the Scriptures and her people to deepen our prayer:

God is bread when you’re hungry, water when you’re thirsty, a harbor from the storm. God’s a father to the fatherless, a mother to the motherless. God’s my sister, my brother, my leader, my guide, my teacher, my comforter, my friend. God’s the way-maker and burden-bearer, a heart-fixer and a mind-regulator. God’s my doctor who never lost a patient, my lawyer who never lost a case, my chaplain who never lost a battle. God’s my all in all, my everything.
God’s my rock, my sword, my shield, my lily of the valley, my pearl of great price. . .  Counselor, Emmanuel, redeemer, savior, Prince of Peace, Son of God, Mary’s little baby, wonderful Word of God.

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​​Our Mission is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to seek and serve Christ in all people.
St. John's Episcopal Church Mission Statement, January 2019