We are a nation

sorely divided. In the aftermath of the closest election in the history

of the republic, the citizenry is nearly equally divided, the courts are

divided, the Congress is divided, and even the Church is divided.

It is a time,

at the dawn of the new millennium, for the people of the United States

to commit themselves to prayer. In humility, I offer the following prayers

with the suggestion that all believers everywhere consider the prospect

of praying them, or prayers like them, on a daily basis.

"For the

president of the United States and all in civil authority:

"O Lord

our governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation

to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy providence, we may dwell

secure in thy peace. Grant to the president of the United States, the

governor of this state, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to

know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,

and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy

fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee

and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen."

"A prayer

for Congress:

"Most

gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United

States in general, so especially for their Senate and representatives

in Congress assembled; that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper

all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of

thy Church, the safety, honor, and welfare of thy people; that all things

may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest

foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and

piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all

other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg

in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Savior.

Amen."

"For courts

of justice:

"Almighty

God, who sittest in the throne judging right; We humbly beseech thee to

bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and

give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern

the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of thee alone;

through him who shall come to be our judge, thy Son, our Savior Jesus

Christ. Amen."

"For our

country:

"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 arrogancy, 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."

"For the

Church:

"O gracious

Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Church; that thou wouldest

be pleased to fill it with all truth, in 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, establish it; where it is in want, provide

for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died

and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ,

thy Son, our Lord. Amen."

"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 seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by

our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever

else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but

one body and one 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."

[Father David

Epps is rector of Christ the King Church. He may be contacted at [email protected]

or at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com. The prayers are from the 1928 and 1979

editions of "The Book of Common Prayer."]