Photo by Rene Terp

Book of Common Prayer: For the Poor and the Neglected 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.

Book of Common Prayer- For the Human Family link

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.

A prayer of Basil of Caesarea 330-379 AD link

Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can always see the right direction in which I should go.
And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen

Benediction: Amos 5:8

And now, friends,
Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion,
and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night;
who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth:
The Lord is his name.
Amen