23 October 2015

The General Thanksgiving (Anglican)

+

I came across an old copy of the U.S. Episcopalian 1941 Prayer Book for Soldiers and Sailors.  In its 'Order for Worship' -- an abbreviated Divine Office -- I encountered with gratitude one of my very favourite Anglican prayers.  Now I joyfully share it with you, dear Reader:


ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer Book for Soldiers and Sailors
1941

+