Prayer on the Beatitudes Link
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Keep us from being preoccupied with money and worldly goods, and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Let us not be impatient under our own burdens and unconcerned about the burdens of others.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled.”
Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness, and actively spread your influence in our private lives and in society.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.”
Free us from our senses and our evil desires, and fix our eyes on you.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country, and in the world.
Lord Jesus, You said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for the kingdom of heaven in theirs.”
Make us willing to suffer for the sake of right rather than to practice injustice;
and do not let us discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them.
In Jesus name
Amen
Prayer for the Poor and Neglected from The book of Common Prayer link
Almighty and most merciful God,
we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget:
the homeless and the destitute,
the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them.
Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit,
and to turn their sorrow into joy.
Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son,
who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer of Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) Link
O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of Your Holy Spirit,
With love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
Teach us to love those who hate us, to pray for those who despitefully use us,
That we may be the children of our Father,
Who makes Your sun shine on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
In adversity, grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble;
May we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world,
And thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.”
Scripture ! Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Sing the Benediction
1
From St. Anselm – in my mind, a member of the A team (with Augustine, Ambrose, Aquinas). His philosophical exploration and conclusion on what, in a world created by God, evil is – or more to the point, isn’t – is breathtaking.