Prayer, Wednesday July 1, 2015

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Wednesday – Paul’s Place after school program and the St. Paul’s Day School

(click on prayer instructions to access online ways to pray the Daily Office of your choice)

Our psalm appointed for today is a portion of Psalm 119. In verse 164 the psalmist says: “7 times a day I praise you”. We expect those in religious orders, especially monks and nuns, to do this – stop and pray 7 times a day. But nothing prevents us from doing the same, whether using a structured daily office or just stopping at specific hours to say a prayer. Perhaps you can use one of your gadgets to simply remind you at specific times to take a breath, take a break, and praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

The Mission St. Clare edition of Morning Prayer includes this prayer for our nation. We need it. Pray for those whose churches are being burned and pray for healing of our nation.

For our Country
Almighty God, who has 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 us into one united people. 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.