Barclay Prayer Book

William Barclay

• Publisher: SCM Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9780334029120
• eBook ISBN: 9780334048923
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christianity

This text aims to be an inspirational resource for individuals and clergy. It is written in a down-to-earth way and with an enthusiasm aiming to inspire spirituality and faith among its readers.

III

Prayers for All Seasons

ALL OF LIFE

A Prayer of William Bright for the right spirit in worship

Almighty God, from whom every good prayer cometh, and who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication: deliver us, when we draw nigh to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Reading Lesson: Luke 18.9-14

Prayer

O God, our Father, our life reaches out in ever-widening circles; bless us in each one of them.

Bless us in our homes and help us to remember all that we owe to them.

Bless us in our school and help us to learn well and to play fair.

Bless us in our university and college and help us to use to the full every opportunity which is given to us to equip our minds with knowledge and to widen our horizons.

Bless us in the place where we work and help us to be workers who will never need to be ashamed of anything they do or make.

Bless us in our town and help us to put as much and more into the life of the community as we take out.

Bless us in our church; make us in our church to worship with reverence and with gladness to serve the church with whatever gifts we have.

Bless us in our country, and help us to study, to learn and to train that we may be good citizens of it.

Bless us in the world, and in our day bind the nations together in peace.

A Prayer from the Coptic Liturgy of St Cyril

O God of love, who hast given us a new commandment through thine only-begotten Son, that we should love one another, even as thou didst love us the unworthy and the wandering, and gavest thy beloved Son for our life and salvation: we pray thee give us, thy servants, in all time of our life on earth, a mind forgetful of past ill-will, a pure conscience, sincere thoughts and a heart to love our brethren: for the sake of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

The Blessing

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.

JESUS’ NAMES FOR HIS PEOPLE

The Opening Prayer

O God, our Father, give us at all times,

Minds which axe eager to seek;

Memories which are strong to remember;

Wills which are dedicated to obey;

Hearts which are surrendered to love;

Lives which are committed to service:

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Reading Lesson: Luke 6.12-16

Prayer

Let us think of the names by which Jesus called his people.

He called them disciples, which means learners.

Lord Jesus, help us day by day to learn more of this world’s knowledge and more of your love, so that day by day we may become better equipped to be the servants of our fellow men and women, and so that day by day we may be more firmly bound to you.

He called them witnesses.

Lord Jesus, help us never to be ashamed to show to all people that we belong to you, and grant that our lives may shine like lights in this dark world to lead others to you.

He called them apostles, which means ambassadors.

Lend Jesus, help us to remember that you are sending us out to live and to speak for you and help us so to live that we shall always bring credit on the name we bear, and so that others may find in us the way to you.

He called them his friends.

Lord Jesus, you loved us so much that you died for us. Help us to be loyal and true to you as friends should be and never at any time to let you down.

A Prayer of Queen Anne

Almighty and Eternal God, the Disposer of all the affairs in the world, there is not one circumstance so great as not to be subject to thy power, nor so small but it comes within thy care; thy goodness and wisdom show themselves through all thy works, and thy loving kindness and mercy appear in the several dispensations of thy Providence. May we readily submit ourselves to thy pleasure and sincerely resign our wills to thine, with all patience, meekness and humility: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

May God the Father bless us. May Christ the Son take care of us. The Holy Spirit enlighten us all the days of our life.

The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul now and for ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

RESPECT AND REVERENCE

The Opening Pr...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• I The Christian Year
• II Holy Days
• III Prayers for All Seasons
• Acknowledgments