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Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (2)

Reading the names of the departed on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:

Some churches have the custom of lighting candles or ringing bells as the names are read.
Some churches have the custom of reading the individuals’ confirmation verses along with the names.
In larger congregations, a simple reading of the names may suffice.

This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive the glory and the honor and the power,
for you have created all things,
and because of your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

You are worthy, O Lamb, because you were slain,
and you bought us for God with your blood
out of every tribe and language and people and nation.
You made them to be a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10)

With hope in Christ and in the resurrection to eternal life, we remember those in this congregation who have died in the last year:

The names of those to be remembered are read aloud.

Jesus said, “This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me,
but raise them up on the Last Day.” (John 6:39)

Eternal God and Father, you are not the God of the dead but of the living, and all who have put their trust in you, who rest in their chambers under the earth, live in you. Be merciful to us, dear Father. Do not let us be afraid of the power and sting of death, but keep us in the true faith in your dear Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Uphold us with your Holy Spirit, and give us a clear conscience, that we may live our Christian lives, and finally fall asleep in peace and joy when we leave this valley of tears, and rest in peace until you open our graves and awaken us with the sound of the last trumpet; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Link to access this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder

Source: Based on a document from the Diocese of Gloucester. (https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/content/pages/documents/1380206639.pdf). Responsive reading is from passages in Revelation and John. Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version. Closing Collect is from Order for Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 760#2.

Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy) from the Divine Service of the Church of Finland

Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie)

Lord God, our heavenly Father,
you have created us, and we are yours;
hear the prayer of your children.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, atonement for our sins,
you have risen from the dead;
come and stay among us.
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, Comforter,
you are the true source of joy;
open our hearts to give you our thanks.
Lord, have mercy.

In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above
and the salvation of our souls
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For peace to the whole world,
for the endurance and unity
of the Church of God,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the congregation that meets in this house,
and for all who invoke the name of the Lord,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.¨

Pardon, defend and protect us.
Lord, have mercy.

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Services in English. http://www.evl.fi/kkh/to/kjmk/engl/messu-engl.rtf

Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy) from the Divine Service of the Church of Sweden

Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie)

Lord, you became our brother. You know our need. You carried it on your cross. Grant us your salvation.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, you are the living Lord. You are with us as you promised. Keep us close to you.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, you are seated at the right hand of the Father. Pray for us and strengthen our faith. We look to the day of your coming. Come, Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, have mercy.

You are the ever-radiant morning sun; give us courage and love.
Lord, have mercy.

You are the living way to life; give us faith and wisdom.
Christ, have mercy.

You are the open door to blessedness; give us hope and happiness.
Lord, have mercy.

Holy Lord God, holy and strong, holy and merciful Savior, our eternal God, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Source: Church of Sweden, Service Book in English. http://www.svenskakyrkan.se/gudstjanstbanken/service_book/01hogmassa.htm

O Gracious Light – Phos Hilaron

Usually, A Collection of Prayers does not feature hymns, since another fine website, Hymnary.org, has extensive information, multiple translations, and charts on hymns appearance in hymnals. “O Gracious Light” is an exception because of its liturgical use.

“O Gracious Light” was first recorded by an unknown author in the Apostolic Constitutions, which was written in the late 3rd or early 4th century. Basil of Caesarea (329–379) spoke of the singing of the Phos Hilaron as a cherished tradition of the church, the hymn being already considered old in his day (though some attribute the composition of the song to Basil himself). (See article on Wikipedia.) It is an evening hymn, often used as part of the Lucernarium, the Service of Light. Ideally, candles would be lit as the hymn is sung. Several versions of Vespers (Evening Prayer) include some version of “O Gracious Light” as an opening hymn.

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Source: Book of Common Prayer (U. S.), 1979, p. 112.

Original in Greek:

Φῶς ἱλαρὸν
ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου,
ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ,

ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν,
ἰδόντες φῶς ἑσπερινόν,
ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν, καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν.

Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις,
Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς·
διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.

“O Gracious Light” has been translated into English many times into both prose and poetic versions.

Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (Prose)

Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father,
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
The universe proclaims your glory.

Robert Bridges, d. 1930 (Poetic)

O gladsome light, O grace
of God the Father’s face,
the eternal splendour wearing;
celestial, holy, blest,
our Savior Jesus Christ,
joyful in thine appearing.

Now, ere day fadeth quite,
we see the evening light,
our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
thee, his incarnate Son,
and Holy Spirit adoring.

To thee of right belongs
all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, Lifegiver;
thee, therefore, O Most High,
the world doth glorify,
and shall exalt forever.

F. Bland Tucker, d. 1984 (Poetic)

O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
in you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is he,
and blest are you, his holy Son.

Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit; God
who dwells in the eternal light.

Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Son of God, Life-giving Lord;
wherefore you are through all the earth
and in the highest heaven adored.

This is a copyrighted text, © The Church Pension Fund

Marty Haugen, (Poetic) from Holden Evening Prayer

Joyous light of heavenly glory,
loving glow of God’s own face,
you who sing creation’s story,
shine on every land and race.
Now as evening falls around us,
we shall raise our songs to you.
God of daybreak, God of shadows,
come and light our hearts anew.

In the stars that grace the darkness,
in the blazing sun of dawn,
in the light of peace and wisdom,
we can hear your quiet song.
Love that fills the night with wonder,
love that warms the weary soul,
love that bursts all chains asunder,
set us free and make us whole.

You who made the heaven’s splendor,
every dancing star of night,
make us shine with gentle justice,
let us each reflect your light.
Mighty God of all creation,
gentle Christ who lights our way,
loving Spirit of salvation,
lead us on to endless day.

The hymn, “Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory” begins at 0:38.

Michael Schultz, for Christian Worship (2021), poetic

Gladdening light of purest glory,
shining down from heaven on high,
from the ever-living Father–
hail, most blessed Jesus Christ.

In the fading light of evening,
as the setting sun departs,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–
we adore you, Lord our God.

For your gift of life unending,
joyful voices ever sing
hymns of praise that rightly honor
Son of God, your saving name.

The Anaphora of St. Mark

This version is condensed from the Liturgy of St. Mark. The original contains much repetition, along with many petitions for people, the church, the government, good weather, bountiful harvest, and remembrance of the faithful departed. A version for modern use follows.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And with your spirit.

Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.

Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
It is meet and just so to do.

It is truly good and right that we should worship you, sing to you, and give thanks to you with unceasing praise, Living One, Lord God, Father almighty.

You made all things in heaven and on earth. You made mankind in your holy image and gave them the delights of Paradise. When our first parents fell, you raised them up again with your promise of a Savior, who is your holy Wisdom, your true Light, your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. …

You are above all power and dominion, might and authority, and every name in this world and in the world to come. Before you stand countless ranks of angels and archangels, who serve you day and night, and see the glory of your presence, crying out with unceasing praise. We join our voices with them, crying aloud and declaring the majesty of your glory:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Truly heaven and earth are full of your glory in the appearing of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. Give us your heavenly blessing by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.

For the Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the meal, he also took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Amen.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
We proclaim your death, O Lord, and we confess your resurrection. …

We present to you the gifts you have given us, and we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of truth, that he would strengthen us with his power and enlighten us with his gifts. Bless and hallow this bread and wine, that through Christ’s body and blood we may be strengthened in faith, healed, sanctified, and renewed in body soul, and spirit, that your name may be praised, our sins forgiven, and in this and all places, your holy name may be hallowed, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen. …

The mercies of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all.
And with your spirit.

Our Father…

The peace of the Lord be with you all.
And with your spirit.

Source: Shortened and condensed from https://www.trinityorthodox.ca/sites/default/files/Liturgy%20of%20St%20Mark.pdf

Arranged for modern use:

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord…

The minister speaks the Proper Preface, concluding with:

Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Living One, Lord God, Father Almighty, you made all things in heaven and on earth. You made mankind in your holy image and gave them the delights of Paradise. When our first parents fell, you raised them up again with your promise of a Savior, who is your holy Wisdom, your true Light, your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Send us your Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of truth, that he would strengthen us with his power and enlighten us with his gifts. Bless and hallow this this Holy Supper, that through Christ’s body and blood we may be strengthened in faith, healed, sanctified, and renewed in body soul, and spirit, that your name may be praised, our sins forgiven, and in this and all places, your holy name may be hallowed, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.

Our Father,…

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, …

Praying with the Readings: Series Now Complete

Praying with the Readings

The Praying with the Readings series strives to create Prayers of the Church (Prayers of Intercession, Prayers of the People) using classic forms and presenting the needs of God’s people in fresh ways. Prayers for each Sunday and Major Festival are composed of several petitions that reflect on the thoughts in the readings for the day.

Purchase of the print copies entitles you to download electronic files for free. Details on downloading and directions for finding passwords are in the printed copies.

Praying with the Readings, Year A

Praying with the Readings, Year B

Praying with the Readings, Year C

Praying with the Readings, Historic

Praying with the Readings, Minor Festivals and Occasions

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects has now been re-edited to be a companion to the Praying with the Readings series. The new edition now has a section with the prayers arranged for use with the Historic Lectionary. An index has suggestions for prayers to use on minor festivals and the most commonly used occasions.

Again, purchase of the print copy entitles you to download electronic files for free. Details on downloading and directions for finding passwords are in the printed copy.

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects

The previous edition looked like the image at the left.

A Collection of Prayers Annual Report, June 18, 2022

Today marks the 6th anniversary of A Collection of Prayers.

Views

Views in the past year show a steady growth compared to past years. The COVID lockdowns gave people occasions to look for prayers, and word seems to be spreading about our large database of classic prayers.

Searches and hits on “Lord, Have Mercy” and “In the Midst of Life We Are in Death” are still near the top, but “Sanctus / Holy, Holy, Holy” has risen to be the top item.

The chief views continue to be from English speaking countries (U.S., U. K., Canada and Australia), but there is growing usage from the Philippines, India and South Africa. We even got seven hits from Vatican City! (The Vatican is looking to http://www.acollectionofprayers.com to do their prayer research!?!) There are very few countries that haven’t viewed A Collection of Prayers.

Links to A Collection of Prayers

WordPress lets me see referrers, that is, other websites that have a link to A Collection of Prayers. The biggest referrers are Christian spirituality websites (www.christianity.com, www.crosswalk.com) and a liturgy website (www.liturgies.net), followed by individual ministries, churches, and even denominational websites.

A Collection of Prayers: Publications

The sale of books pays for the website and supports research. Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church and The Antiphonary of Bangor remain the top sellers. Old books will continue to be published and sold through Kindle Direct Publishing and Amazon. New books will be published and sold through Lulu.com, which also distributes through Amazon.com.

A Collection of Prayers: Digital Products

ACOP ventured into digital products, focusing on downloadable resources for worship planners. Sales were slow. For that reason, along with the expense of maintaining an account with a vendor that handled e-commerce, and the question of sales tax, the digital products were discontinued and were converted to print products with directions on how to find passwords in the printed books and download from http://www.acollectionofprayers.com. This way, sales and distribution of resources for worship planners can continue without the added expense of an e-commerce site and taxes.

In free digital product downloads, The Way of the Nativity and The Way of Recovery were released in the last year.

Beyond This Website, Books and Products

Various denominational and devotional publishers have contacted me about using A Collection of Prayers as a source. We are always happy to share our work.

Prayer Reflecting on the School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas, May 25, 2022

Father in heaven, your holy Word tells us to mourn with those who mourn, and to not repay evil with evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12).

Day by day your people pray “Deliver us from evil.” It grieves us to see evil and violence. We are grieved once again by the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

We pray for those who live with anger—move them to seek help and move friends, family and others who sense that anger to help them.
We pray for those who were injured—if it is your will, speed the healing of wounds to body and mind.
We pray for those who have the duty to protect and serve—give them strength to do their work with perseverance and patience.
We pray for the friends and families of those who were killed—draw them to yourself. Lead them to find comfort, hope, healing and peace in you.
We also pray that we may give faithful witness for the hope that we have, with gentleness and respect, that those around us may be led by us to you, and that they may be moved and enlightened by your gospel of peace.

…through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Modified from https://acollectionofprayers.com/2016/07/08/prayer-reflecting-on-the-shooting-in-dallas-texas-july-8-2016/

The Mozarabic Anaphora

Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give praise and thanksgiving to God, and to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is in heaven.
It is good and right so to do.

It is truly good and right, that we should always give thanks to you, O Holy Lord, everlasting Father, almighty God, … Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory.
Hosanna to the Son of David;
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hagios, Hagios, Hagios, Kyrie ho Theos. (Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God.)

Truly holy and blessed are you,
O God the Father almighty,
for you sent your only Son
to take on himself our nature
and die for the sins of the whole world.
By his cross and passion,
he bore the burden of our sins
and made an end of atoning sacrifices
by that one offering of infinite worth.

Christ the Lord and eternal Redeemer,
the day before he suffered,
on the same night in which he was betrayed,
took bread into his holy and venerable hands,
and giving thanks, blessed, and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my + body, which is given for you.
Do this, as often as you eat it, for a commemoration of me.”
Amen.

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying,
“This is the Cup of the New Testament in my + blood
which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, for a commemoration of me.”
Amen.

Doing this, most holy Father,
with these your holy gifts, which we now offer you, [1]
we show forth the death of your only-begotten Son,
by which we were redeemed,
as he commanded us to do
until he himself should come again,
remembering his glorious passion, resurrection, and ascension,
giving you most hearty thanks
for the innumerable benefits procured to us by the same.

And we most humbly pray that,
by the same Spirit by whom your blessed Son became incarnate for us,
the holy and undivided Trinity
would bless and sanctify these gifts and creatures of bread and wine,
that we, receiving them according to our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution,
may be made partakers of his most blessed body and blood.
Amen.

Graciously hear us, O holy Lord our God,
and through these your good gifts sanctified by you,
grant us, your unworthy servants, your blessing to life eternal.
Amen.

Source: From “Through Your Mercy, O Our God…” Prayers from the Mozarabic Church.

[1] In the early church, it was the custom for members of the church to present bread and wine as gifts to be used for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, which is the “offering” (offerimus) mentioned here. Note that the offering of the bread and wine are the only things spoken of as an offering on the part of worshipers or priest. Also, earlier it is noted that Christ “made an end of atoning sacrifices by that one offering of infinite worth.”

Give Peace in Our Days

Lord, give peace in our days,
for there is no other
who fights for us,
but you, our God.

Source: The text is a 6th or 7th-century hymn based on biblical verses 2 Kings 20:19, 2 Chronicles 20:12,15 and Psalms 72:6–7.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_pacem,_Domine

Original in Latin:

Da pacem, Domine, in diebus nostris
quia non est alius
qui pugnet pro nobis
nisi tu Deus noster.

https://lyricstranslate.com

The entire hymn appears thus:

Lord, give peace in our days,
for there is no other
who fights for us,
but you, our God.

May there be peace within your fortifications,
prosperity within your citadels. (Psalm 122:7)