Dear Friends,

The other day I was trying to retrieve, on my computer, an e-mail which I had received a few days earlier. I became very frustrated because I could not find it in any  mail folder. Frustrated, I turned off my computer and in sitting back in my chair, I noticed a small red book on the shelf above me. It was The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) which I received when I was confirmed in 1954. I hoped that it contained a computer prayer which is just what I needed!

In addition to the administration of the sacraments and rites of the church, the table of contents also contains Prayers and Thanksgivings. I was not optimistic of finding what I was looking for since the book contained a certificate that it conformed to the Standard Book of 1928. In going through the prayers, I did not find one on point, but I came upon two germane prayers tor the present day. 

The first is entitled, “In Time of Great Sickness and Mortality”:
O most mighty and grateful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succor. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain that our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The second is “For the Unity of God’s People:”
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace, give us grace to seriously lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudices, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that as there is but one Body and Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

I decided that I should look at a more recent publication of the BCP and the other one I have has a certificate date of 1979. It has a more detailed table of contents for Prayers and Thanksgivings. Here, the Prayers and Thanksgiving are categorized under headings including Prayers for the World, Prayers for the Social Order, and Prayers for Family and Personal Life. This latter category references separate pages for Prayers for the Sick. Thanksgivings includes a prayer for the Social Order. This is just to name a few categories. The complete list with contents may be found at https://www.bcponline.org

I could not find a computer prayer in the BCP but that does not mean it does not exist or may not be in a newer version of the BCP. After my search, I decided to look again for my missing e-mail and I immediately found it. Apparently, the BCP was more help than I thought.

In case you are looking for a prayer to help you through a difficult period, or for Thanksgiving, you may wish to consider the prayers in the BCP or at the above link to them. The BCP is on Epiphany’s webpage under Worship & Prayer as well. 

By the way, if you find a computer prayer, please let me know as I can always use the help with my computer.

Blessings,

Dick Fichter
Vestry Member

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* Please be sure to fill out our church regathering survey by THIS FRIDAY, July 10th. We need your input as we begin to make plans to regather in our building.

* Join us online on Sunday at 10 AM for our worship service on YouTube as Rev. Elizabeth Keeler once again guides us as we celebrate the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. 

* As always, Epiphany’s Vestry and staff are here to support you in any way we can. Please contact Susan Buckner, Senior Warden at: srwarden@epiphanyec.org