PRAY FOR EVERYONE, FOR ALL IN AUTHORITY, THAT WE MAY LEAD PEACEFUL AND QUIET LIVES (1 TIM.2:1,2)

A General Prayer in time of need, taken from the Book of Common Prayer, 1789

God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth; have mercy upon us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world; have mercy upon us.

God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful; have mercy upon us.

Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God; have mercy upon us.

Remember not, our Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and be not angry with us forever.

From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from your wrath, and from everlasting damnation, good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharitableness, good Lord, deliver us.

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil, good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire and flood; from plague, pestilence and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death, good Lord, deliver us.

From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word and Commandment, good Lord, deliver us.

By the mystery of your holy Incarnation; by your holy Nativity and Circumcision; by your Baptism, Fasting and Temptation, good Lord, deliver us.

By your Agony and Bloody Sweat; by your Cross and Passion; by your precious Death and Burial; by your glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Spirit, good Lord, deliver us.

In the time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver us.

We sinners do beseech you to hear us, Lord God; and that it may please you to rule and govern your holy Church universal in the right way; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you so to rule the heart of your servant, The President of the United States, that he may above all things seek your honor and glory; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That is may please you to bless and preserve all Christian rulers and Judges [Governors, mayors, police], giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That is may please you to illuminate all Pastors with true knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give all nations unity, peace and concord; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give us an heart to love and fear you, and diligently to live after your commandments; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give to all your people increase of grace to hear meekly your Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of your Spirit [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control]; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That is may please you to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That is may please you to succor, help and comfort, all who are in danger, need, and tribulation; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to defend, and provide for, the orphans and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and to turn their hearts; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy Word; we beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

We humbly beseech you Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and for the glory of your Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant, that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in your mercy, and evermore serve you in holiness and pureness of living, to your honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(The Litany, The Book of Common Prayer, 1789)