Further Prayers for Choral Evensong on Sunday 1st October 2023

The Four and Twenty Elders Casting their Crowns before the Divine Throne by William Blake

Further Prayers written for Choral Evensong at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Sunday 1st October 2023 (The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity) kept as Harvest Sunday based on text from Isaiah 6.1-7 and Revelation 4.1-11 and the anthem ‘Thou Visitest the Earth’ by Maurice Greene, based on verses from Psalm 65.

From the Book of Revelation: ‘behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.’

 

Heavenly Father, by your Spirit grant us the courage to follow your call to that open door. To see through it the things which must be hereafter. 

A vision of a world that is at peace with itself; all people united in worship of your glory. Where there is no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying nor pain.

We pray for all affected by violent crime on the streets of this City and around the world. 

For Jonathan and all those suffering in mind and body. 

For Jimmy and all who mourn.

Strengthen our faith that through the death and resurrection of your Son, we might believe the vision of your kingdom is not an unattainable ideal but a living reality. 

 

Lord in thy mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: ‘Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.’

 

Almighty God, our heavenly king, whose perfect Word became flesh, whose Spirit dwells among us,

Forgive us for picking apart the world and each other with the dogma of division, and distrust; undoing all that is good. 

Sanctify our tongues that we might build up our brothers and sisters by proclaiming only the truth of your love. 

Guide all who hold positions of responsibility in politics, the media and communications to use their influence wisely.

May each of us reflect your glory on earth by what we choose to think, say and do. 

 

Lord in thy mercy,

Hear thy prayer.

 

Words from this evening’s anthem: Thou visitest the earth and blessest it, and crowneth the year with thy goodness.

 

Eternal God, who showers each of us with goodness, 

Help us to live our lives faithfully as part of that continual flow of blessing;

recognising our inheritance from the past, our influence on the present and our responsibility for the future. 

We pray that we might become better stewards of the resources of the world;
in preparation for the bountiful harvest feast yet to come; when your crowning glory will be fully revealed.

 

Lord in thy mercy,

Hear thy prayer.

Image : The Four and Twenty Elders Casting their Crowns before the Divine Throne by William Blake, Tate Gallery