Bishop’s Note - The Prayers - Holy Matrimony

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear Friends, I am rested, back from vacation, and excited to be writing you again.  You’ll remember that we are slowly working our way through the ACNA 2019 BCP. The last time I wrote about Holy Matrimony we examined the marital vows and the pronouncement of husband and wife. This morning we continue with the section simply referred to as The Prayers.  These, of course, underline the importance of surrounding the couple in prayer.   These prayers begin appropriately with the Lord’s Prayer and then move to specific prayers for the couple, their life together in Christ, and God willing the formation of a family.  I’ll not comment on each prayer as they are self-evident.  Please take a moment and read through these prayers thinking of your own marriage or that of someone you love.

THE PRAYERS If Communion is to follow, the Lord’s Prayer may be omitted here.  All standing, the Officiant says Let us pray together in the words our Savior taught us. People and Officiant 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.  Let us pray, saying, “Hear our prayer.” Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony, and enable them to fulfill the vows they have made. Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer. Grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a partner in prayer, a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer. Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and devotion to you and with one another all the days of their lives. Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer. Give them courage, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their faults, to seek your forgiveness, and to forgive and be reconciled to one another. Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer. May their union in Holy Matrimony be a sign of the love between Christ and his Church, and a joyful witness to the world. Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer. Bestow upon them, if it be your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer. Grant that they may so love,  honor,  and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience,  in wisdom and true godliness,  that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace.  Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer.  Give them such grace that together they may reach out in love and concern for others, and grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed.  Reader Lord, in your mercy:  People Hear our prayer.