Leader: O God, our Creator, who made us, your children, to be one family; so that what concerns any, must concern all; we confess the evils we have done and the good we have left undone. We have spent our strength too often upon the tower of Babel of our own pride. We have forgotten that the city’s foundations, builder and maker is you, O God. We have been content that we ourselves should prosper, although many be poor; that a few should feast while multitudes starve both in body and in soul. And you, O God, have taught us that whatsoever we sow, that we shall also reap; help us to repent before your judgment comes.
For clouded eyes that see no further than our own advantage,
we confess our sin, O God.
For dulled imaginations that take no notice of the suffering of others,
we confess our sin, O God.
For willingness to profit by injustice which we have not striven to prevent,
we confess our sin, O God.
For selfishness that is quick to gain and slow to give,
we confess our sin, O God.
For carelessness that asks, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
we confess our sin, O God. 
Ever merciful God, take away from us the wickedness of our conscious and unconscious wrongs. Forgive us for our unfaithfulness to the vision of your kingdom, and grant to us a better purpose for the days to come.
From easy acquiescence to old iniquities,
save us, O God.
From indifference to the human cost of anything we covet,
save us, O God.
From the greed that wastes the lives of men and women through unemployment, poverty, and deprivation,
save us, O God.
From the cruelty that exploits the needy and defenseless,
save us, O God.
From the blasphemy against the Spirit that sells the bodies and souls of children to the golden idol of success,
save us, O God.
From false leadership in business and in government, and above all from feebleness in the people that allows false leaders rise to power,
save us, O God.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
their labor is but vain who build it.
But the One who sits upon the throne declares,
behold, I make all things new.
Even so, O God, let your Spirit be at work in us for your own redemptive purposes to build a new and better society on this earth for the blessing of your people, so that we may look toward your kingdom with hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Our God,
I know I was not meant to go it alone because you created the church to be a supportive family for your children.
And I know the church is made up of people like me so it isn’t perfect!
Help me to play my part in the church, so I can learn from the teaching, be encouraged by the fellowship, be renewed in the Eucharist, and find strength for living each day through prayer.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Our God,
You understand that sometimes I do things I never intended to do. My sorrow doesn’t make it all right and neither can I use my weakness as an excuse.
Help me to begin anew, to experience your forgiveness and to walk again in Jesus’ way.

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Our God,
Help me to live the way Jesus called me to live.
May my actions speak louder than my words of your love and of new life in Jesus.
At the same time, help me rise above my own stumbling speech and give me the words to express what I believe.
Let me be a witness to the truth.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Our God,
All too often I have looked at people in a very superficial way.
Help me begin to see them with your eyes, knowing that every person is created in your image, as your child.
If Jesus died for that person, how can I despise him?
Give me a new love that reaches out to everyone because Jesus died for all.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Our God,
I don’t want my attitudes to be shaped by the injustices that mar society, by the discrimination, greed, and lust that spoil relationships.
In Jesus: color does not count, wealth carries no weight, and gender is not important.
Help me to live in Jesus, to see people through his eyes, and work for the harmony that reflects your kingdom.

Amen.

Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church Adapted from Praying the Baptismal Covenant by Reginald Hollis, Copyright 1993 (May be used with acknowledgement to the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer).

Leader: We believe in God, Creator of the World and of all people; and in Jesus Christ, incarnate among us, who died and rose again; and in the Holy Spirit, present with us to guide, strengthen, and comfort.
People: We believe; God, help our unbelief.
Leader: We rejoice in every sign of God’s kingdom: In the upholding of human dignity and community In every expression of love, justice and reconciliation In each act of self-giving on behalf of others In the abundance of God’s gifts entrusted to us that all may have enough In all responsible use of the earth’s resources.
People: Glory to God on high; and on earth, peace.
Leader: We confess our sin, individual and collective, by silence or action;
Through the violation of human dignity based on race, class, age, sex, nation, or faith
Through the misuse of power in personal, communal, national, and international life
Through the search for security through military and economic forces that threaten human existence
Through the abuse of technology, which endangers the earth and all Life upon it.
People: Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Leader: We commit ourselves individually and as a community to the way of Christ To take up the cross To seek abundant life for all humanity To struggle for peace with justice and freedom To risk ourselves in faith, hope, and love, praying that God’s kingdom may come
All: Thy kingdom come, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Amen.

Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church

For your household with its blessed diversity of races and ethnicities,
We give thanks, O God.
For your presence with those who suffer the pain of oppression because of racism,
We pray, O God.
For the courage and commitment of those who challenge injustice,
We give thanks, O God.
For your forgiveness for our denial and apathy when we have cooperated with powers of dominance and discrimination,
We pray, O God.
For ears to hear stereotyping in church and community, and the courage to name it,
We pray, O God.
For eyes to see exclusion in our lives and churches and for resolve to confront it,
We pray O God.
For minds to address what the conscience knows,
We pray, O God.
For hearts freed of cynicism and despair and renewed with hope,
We pray, O God.
For faith that acts on the certainty of your love for us and on your desire that we honor our differences and live in harmony,
We pray, O God.
We pray in fellowship with those from this time and beyond time who have witnessed to your call to community. We covenant with you and each other to be your instruments of justice and reconciliation in this time and in this place. In the name of Christ, who is loving, just, and forgiving, we offer our prayer.

Amen.

Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church Mary S. Webber, Dismantling Racism: The Task of the People of God Leaders Manual (St. Louis: January, 1993); original, “Litany for Racial Justice” adapted by Ronice Branding, with permission. Taken from: Fulfilling the Dream, Ronice Branding, Chalice Press, 1995.

It is our faith and our confidence, our Father, that Thou dost not become weary, because always before Thee we present the same sorry spectacle. It is our trust that Thou dost not get tired of us but that always Thou dost remain constant, even as we do not; that Thou dost remain true even when we take refuge in falsehood and error; that Thou dost remain kind and gracious when our hearts are hard and callous; that Thy scrutiny and Thy judgment hold despite all of our whimpering, self-pity, and shame.

We would ask forgiveness for our sins, but of so much that is sinful in us we have no awareness. We would seek to offer to Thee the salutation of our spirits and our minds were we able to tear ourselves away from preoccupation with our own concerns, our own anxieties, our own lives. We would give to Thee the “nerve center” of our consent if for one swirling moment we could trust Thee to do with us what our lives can stand.

O God, our Father, take the chaos and confusion and disorder of our minds and spirits and hold them so completely in Thy grasp that the impure thing will become pure, the crooked thing will become straight, and the crass and hard thing will be gentled by Thy spirit. Oh, that we may have the strength to see and the vision to comprehend what is needful for Thy peace. 

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014)

The concern which I lay bare before God today is my concern for the life of the world in these troubled times. I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all - many are hungry.
There are clothes enough for all - many are in rags.
There is room enough for all - many are crowded.
There are none who want war - preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times. I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.
I have not been wise in casting my ballot.
I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.
I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others.
I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.
I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on,
take effective steps within my own powers,
to live up to the light and courageously to pay for
the kind of world I so deeply desire.

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014) From For The Inward Journey; The Writings of Howard Thurman Submitted by Janis Pryor

The concern I lay bare before God today is my need for courage I need courage to be honest - Honest in my use of words
Honest in accepting responsibility
Honest in dealing with myself
Honest in dealing with my fellows
Honest in my relations with God
I need courage to face the problems of my own life - the problems of personal values:
They are confused
They are often unreal
They are too exacting for comfort
The problems of my job:
Perhaps I am working at cross-purposes with my own desires, ambitions, equipment.
Perhaps I am arrogant instead of taking pride in doing work well.
Perhaps I am doing what I am doing just to prove a point - spending a lifetime to prove a point that is not worth providing after all.
Perhaps I have never found anything that could challenge me, and my life seems wasted.
Here in the quietness I lay bare honest, for the guidance to deal effectually with the problems of my own life.
O God, thou wilt not despise!

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014) From For The Inward Journey; The Writings of Howard Thurman Submitted by Janis Pryor

Let me not look away, O God, from any truth I should see. Even if it is difficult, let me face the reality in which I live. I do not want to live inside a cosseted dream, imagining I am the one who is always right, or believing only what I want to hear. Help me to see the world through other eyes, to listen to voices distant and different, to educate myself to the feelings of those with whom I think I have nothing in common. Break the shell of my indifference.
Draw me out of my prejudices and show me your wide variety.
Let me not look away.

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014)

We believe in Jesus Christ
Our Savior and liberator,
The expression of God’s redeeming and restoring love,
The mark of humanness,
Source of courage, power, and love,
God of God,
Light of light
Ground of our humanity

We believe that God resides in slums,
Lives in homes and hearts that are hurting,
Suffers with us in our loneliness, rejection and powerlessness.

But through death and resurrection
God gives life, pride, and dignity,
Provides the content of our vision,
Offers the context of our struggle
Promises liberation to the oppressor and the oppressed
Hope to those in despair,
Vision to the blind.

We believe in the activity of the Holy Spirit
Who revives our decaying souls,
Resurrects our defeated spirits,
Renews our hope of wholeness and reminds us of our responsibility
To usher in God’s new order here and now.

Amen.

The Creed is from Celebrate Life: 24th General Council World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Accra, 2004, and included in Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church

O Holy One,
I hear and say so many words,
yet yours is the word I need.
Speak now and help me listen;
and, if what I hear is silence,
let it quiet me,
 let it disturb me,
  let it touch my need,
   let it break my pride,
    let it shrink my certainties,
     let it enlarge my wonder.
Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014) From Guerillas of Grace, Submitted by Janis Pryor

For all the times I have moved against your will;
For all the ways I have been destructive;
For all the people I have manipulated;
For all the truth I have denied;
For all the deeds I have done in ignorance;
That which I have done that has harmed others,
Thereby harming myself,
These acts and thoughts I confess before God.
I acknowledge and I am sorry.
I pray for the strength to change those actions, thoughts and words so that I can follow your path more faithfully.
God have mercy, Christ have mercy, God have mercy.

Amen.

This prayer is from Occasions of Prayer by Lisa Withrow and included in Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church

Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the world.
Yours are the feet with which Christ is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which Christ is to bless all people now. 

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014)

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014)

Merciful God, I claim Your promise
to be with us when two or three are gathered.
You know that each of us has a unique heart and history
and so I can only speak from what I have seen and known
and become as one who enjoys the privilege
of being born white in the United States.

As I try to understand the ways
in which I benefit from that history,
or deprive others of life and happiness
and all the things I take for granted,
I pray that You will open my heart, my mind, my imagination,
and my eyes to see this country as it is
and not as I want it to be or think that it is.

Even as I utter words with the best of intentions
about “the poor,” “those who are dispossessed,”
“those who are disrespected,”
“those who are subtly or overtly treated as less than,”
those who fall in that thoughtless, painful category of “you people”,
I feel that I am distancing myself from these “others,”
and contributing further to the fissures
that divide all of us from each other and You.

Help me, O God,
to acknowledge honestly
the ways in which white privilege in America is perpetuated,
the ways in which racism thrives systemically,
and the ways in which our “Common Prayer” furthers these divides.

Dear God, I trust your Spirit to guide us
in our common life and enlighten us
to the injustices of white privilege in this country.
Make our common prayers occasions for your Spirit to break into
our hearts and lives, that we may finally see our world with a glimpse of
your love and light.
I pray that we may all be healed of our hurts and divisions,
so that we may become agents of the reconciliation and peace
that you desire for this world.
This is my prayer.

Amen.

The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014)

Almighty God, our Refuge and our Rock, your loving care knows no bounds and embraces all the peoples of the earth; Defend and protect those who fall victim to the forces of evil, and as we remember this day those who endured depredation and death because of who they were, not because of what they had done or failed to do, give us the courage to stand against hatred and oppression, and to seek the dignity and well- being of all for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, in whom you have reconciled the world to yourself; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen.

A Collection of Daily Commemorations of the Episcopal Church Submitted by Rainey Danke, The Anti-Racism Prayer Book: Poems, Prayers and Reflections From Various Sources, selected by The Rev. Rainey G. Dankel, Janis Pryor, Judith Lockhart Radtke, and Damon Syphers for The Anti-Racism Team of Trinity Church Boston (2014)

O God of the remnant, who breaks down and builds up again, we need to be reborn. Send the angel of death to slay the systems and institutions which drain and destroy our lives - not least an economy which sacrifices us on the altar of profit, and a culture which sacrifices black and brown bodies on the altar of white supremacy. Burn them down, O Consuming Fire, and gather together a people who are led by the Spirit to build new and equitable systems out of the rubble, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, on God, here and now.

Amen.

Prayers for the People by Terry J. Stokes

God and Father of all, in your love you made all the nations of the world to be a family, and your Son taught us to love one another. Yet our world is riven apart with prejudice, arrogance, and pride. Help the different races to love and understand one another better. Increase among us sympathy, tolerance, and goodwill, that we may learn to appreciate the gifts that other races bring to us, and to see in all people our brothers and sisters for whom Christ died. Save us from jealousy, hatred, and fear, and help us to live together as members of one family at home in the world, sons and daughters of one Father who live in the liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland (Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press, 1994), Prayers for Racial Harmony by Faithward

Loving God, We come to you first to give you thanks for all you do and all that you have brought us through. In light of the world that we are living in, we call upon you in a spirit of peace and protection. Lord, you remind us through Scripture that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made. We know that you have created us in love and to be loved. But we live in a time where some people believe that the lives of your people have no value. We call upon you to help us, to protect us, and to remind us that the life of each person is important to you. We pray for all of the people of African descent whose lives have been taken away without a good reason and for their families, friends, and loved ones who are left to bear the hurt and the pain of that loss. We pray for the police officers whose lives have been taken away unjustly for simply trying to do the job they were being paid to do. Bring comfort to their families as well. Lord, we acknowledge the hurt and the pain felt by people on all sides of this issue. We pray that you will intervene and allow the love of Jesus Christ to enter into our hearts and into our society so that we can see that life is a gift from God that we have no right to take away. We know that hatred and vengeance are never an acceptable option to resolve a situation, so we call upon you to give us the guidance we need to make things right between us and those who have been called to protect us. Lord, this is our prayer for peace and reconciliation, the peace that we know can come if we put our trust and our faith and our hope in you. All of this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

This prayer was written by Rev. Dwayne Jackson and used in a service involving police and members of the community of Queens, New York, Prayers for Racial Harmony by Faithward

God of all life, you call us to live in community and teach us to care for one another after the pattern of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. We pray for those whose position and authority affect the lives of others. Inspire them with a vision of the community as it might be, where love of neighbor and concern for one another drive out discontent and strife, anxiety and fear. Help us all to work together with one heart and will, with sympathy and understanding, to serve the common good, to minister to people in trouble and despair, and to multiply true happiness among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland (Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press, 1994), Prayers for Racial Harmony by Faithward

Lord, we are bewildered. More violence? Another mess of blood and debris on the screen? We haven’t yet recovered from the last. Some of us are paralyzed with fear. We hear about bombs and guns and death, and our throats close up in terror. We fear for our own lives, for the lives of our children and our children’s children. We don’t know what has happened to the world we thought we knew. We who fear confess our fear and ask for your forgiveness. Fill us with your love, for your perfect love casts out fear. You are with us. Your rod and your staff—they comfort us. And we pray for the people whose lives are truly endangered, who have more cause to fear. Would you make safe havens for them? Would you lead them out of the valley of the shadow of death and into places of light and life? Some of us are incensed with hatred. The wars and rumors of war incite us to start our own. Our instinct is to be overcome by evil, to take vengeance into our own hands. We who hate confess our hate and ask for your forgiveness. Warm our hearts with compassion and help us pursue peace. Grant us your wisdom as we seek your kingdom by turning our cheek and walking another mile. And we pray for the people whose hatred has led to death. As you did with the apostle Paul, would you encounter them on the road? Would you, with your very presence, transform threats and murder into lives lived for you? Some of us just feel numb. The rising death tolls spin past our eyes, but our hearts no longer read them. Years of images of violence have dulled our senses. Another incident? We don’t even flinch anymore. We who are numb confess our numbness and ask for your forgiveness. Sharpen our senses. Cause us to care, even if that means feeling the pain of heartbreaking sadness. Teach us empathy. Help us weep with those who weep. And we pray for the people who weep. Would you be their consolation? You know the pain of betrayal, of abandonment, of death. Would you heal wounds of all kinds? Would you also—someday—give them cause to laugh? On that day, we will laugh with those who laugh. Lord of all, gather us up—your creatures, your world— and bring an end to the violence. Come, Lord Jesus.

Amen.

Written by Grace Claus, Prayers for Mass Shootings and Violence by Faithward

Dear People of God,
We stand in the shadow of the prophets crying out for justice and peace. God calls us to be a people of reconciliation, serving a world in need. Courageous women and men have taken the risk of standing up and speaking out for the least and the lowest. This work involves risking ourselves for the sake of God's love, moving beyond ourselves in order to seek and serve Christ and one another. We are all called to the work and ministry of social justice and reconciliation.

Presider: Will you persevere in prayer and fellowship?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Presider: Will you proclaim the good news of reconciliation in both word and deed?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Presider: Will you strive to see Christ in all persons, both with whom you agree and disagree?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Presider: Will you seek to mend what is broken by human sin and greed?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Presider: Will you work toward dismantling the sin of abuse of power?
People: I will, with God’s help.

The Presider concludes
In the name of God and of this Church, I commission you to stand up, speak out and live into the reign of Christ our Savior.

Amen.

From the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania's Standing Committee's anti-racism prayer resource.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the World (4)

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for National Life (18)

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for National Life (26)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the Social Order (36)

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the World (2)

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.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the World (3)

 O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the World (6)

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the Church (7)

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for National Life (22)

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the Social Order (28)

Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the Social Order (37)

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for Family and Personal Life (47)