Jesus teaches us to come before God with humble hearts, boldly offering our thanksgivings and concerns to God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. Whether in thought, word, or deed, individually or corporately, when we pray, we invite and dwell in God’s loving presence.
An Order of Service for Noonday
This service will begin with silent prayer as the people gather. The people’s responses are in bold print.
All stand, and the Officiant greets the people with these words O God, make speed to save us. All O Lord, make haste to help us
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Psalm 119 Lucerna pedibus meis
105 Your word is a lantern to my feet * and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am determined * to keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am deeply troubled; * preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, * and teach me your judgments.
109 My life is always in my hand, * yet I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, * but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; * truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statues * for ever and to the end.
At the end of the Psalms is said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Psalm: Psalm 46 Deus noster refugium
Read responsively by whole verse God is our refuge and strength, * a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea; Though its waters rage and foam, * and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, * the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown; * God shall help her at the break of day.
The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; * God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come now and look upon the works of the LORD, * what awesome things he has done on earth.
It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; * he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, then, and know that I am God; * I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
A passage of scripture is read
The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:5
The First Lesson: Isaiah 58:6-10
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? The Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God
The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Second Lesson: Matthew 5:43-48
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax- collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. The Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God
A time of meditation, silent or spoken, may be offered.
The Prayers
The people stand or kneel
Lord, have mercy. All Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Prayers of the People
adapted from the Rev. Shannon Kelly, Director Department of Faith Formation, The Episcopal Church
Let us bring our concerns and prayers to God.
Silence
Loving God, creator of this world, source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
We give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
Guide us through this electon as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to work on our behalf and on behalf of our communities. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better our community and our world, that it may reflect the values that Christ taught us. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
Help us create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth –communities that will protect the poor, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for those who are not seen and heard, and listen to the voice of each of your children made in your own image. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
We pray for our nation in our deep division. May we come together for the common good and do as you have called us to do – to act justly, love mercy, and walk humby with you through creation. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
Help us act out of love, mercy, and justice rather than out of ignorance or fear. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
Lord, continue to guide us as we work for the welfare of this world. We pray for places that are torn by violence, that they may know peace. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
We pray for communities who are struggling with inequity, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation with one another and with God. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
Help us to listen in love, work together in peace, and collaborate with one another as we seek the betterment of our community and world. God our creator, guide us in truth and love.
I invite any other prayers of intercession or thanksgiving, silently or aloud. Silence
The Officiant offers a concluding Collect Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Together we pray in the words our Savior, Christ, has taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord, hear our prayer; All And let our cry come to you. Let us pray.
One or more of the following collects and/or the litany may be said.
A Collect for an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Prayer for Safety
Everlasting God, Source of all liberty, before whom every earthly ruler must bow and bend the knee, we lay our nation before you as we enter into this election. Breathe upon us your Spirit of wisdom and discernment. Grant all who seek public office the mind of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life for the freedom of the oppressed. Hold before us those who face uncertain futures, or who have no voice in our political process. Uphold and safeguard poll workers and election officials in their work. Spare us from the crushing weight of cynicism. Give us grace to speak courageously, but with love, without which our words are noise and we are nothing. Gather us together at your cross, where, in all of our difference, we can stand as one people, redeemed in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Litany for Sound Government
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. Teach the people of our nation 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.
A Collect for Mission
O God, you crafted the universe as a divine tapestry in which the well-being of the entire cosmos is forever intertwined. In this election season, give us hearts and minds focused on nurturing all that you have made. Forgive us when we are unjust or accept unjust behavior in our leaders. Remind us of your call not to withdraw from the world, but to be in the world as your very own broken and beloved people. Ignite in us a passion for the welfare of those who are most vulnerable, and empower us to lead with a love that reflects your love in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Before the close of the office, we pray together Holy God, Out of your great love for the world, your Word becam e flesh to live among us and to reconcile us to you and to one another. Rekindle among us the gift of your Spirit that we might live as one new humanity in Christ, dismantling the walls that divide, ending the hostility between us, and proclaiming peace to those who are near and to those who are far away. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. Heal every heart and bring reconciliation. through the one who has shown us both impassioned zeal and forgiving love, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then may be said
Let us bless the Lord. All Thanks be to God
From the cowardice that dare not face new truth, from laziness that is contented with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver us. Amen.
A prayer from Kenya from the ELW Prayer Book for the Armed Services
Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak, and help the suffering; honor all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Beloved in the Lord, God has shown you what is good. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
