PRAYER FOR OUR GOVERNMENT

Thou, O Christ, Sovereign King, hast given the power of sovereignty to men through Thy excellent and inexpressible might, that we may know the glory and honor given to them by Thee, and be subject to them, in agreement with Thy Divine will. And to them, Lord, grant health, peace, concord, and firmness, that they may administer the government which Thou hast given them without offense.

For Thou, O heavenly Master, King of eternity, hast given to the sons of men glory and honor and power over the things that are on the earth; do Thou, O Lord, direct their counsels according to that which is "good and pleasing" before Thee, that they may administer with piety in peace and gentleness the power given to them by Thee, and may find mercy in Thine eyes.

  O Thou Who alone art able to do these things and far better things for us, we praise Thee through Jesus Christ, the High Priest and Guardian of our souls, through Whom be glory and majesty to Thee, both now and for all generations and forever and ever. Amen.

------Pope Clement

PRAYER FOR CIVIL AUTHORITIES

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fottitude, the President of the United Srates, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to Thy creatures over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and for religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of Thy Divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetUate to us the blessings of equal liberty. Grant that our leaders recognize and acknowledge publicly that Thou art our Sovereign and only good.

We pray for his Excellency the governor of our state, for the members of the legislature, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise to Thee O unbounded mercy! all our brethren and fellow citizens, throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance, of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

PRAYER FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINS

 O God, Who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the eternal High Priest for the glory of Thy Majesty and the salvation of mankind; grant that they whom He hath chosen to be His chaplains and the stewards of His mysteries, maybe found faithful in the fulfilment of the ministry which they have received.

Grant, O Holy and Mighty Trinity, that they may never lose that purity of heart with which they were ordained, though all around them lie terrors and the uncertainty of war. Give them an abundance of wise counsel, fortitude, temperance and justice and supernatural charity. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR CHARITY AND TOLERANCE

May I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides.
May I never quarrel with those nearest me; and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.
May I never devise evil against any man; if any devise evil against me,
may I escape uninjured and without the need of hurting him.
May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good.
May I wish for all men's happiness and envy none.
May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me.
When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others,
but always rebuke myself until I make amends.

May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent.
May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another.
May I, to the extent of my power, give all needful help to my friends and to all who are in want.
May I never fail a friend in danger.
When visiting those in grief: may I be able, by gentle and healing words, to soften their pain.
May I respect myself. May I always tame that which rages within me.
May I accustom myself to be gentle and never be angry with people because of circumstances.
May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-----Eusebius

PRAYER TO DO GOD's WILL

O Lord, I know not what I should ask of Thee; Thou alone know what I need; Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself; O Father, give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask.

I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations: I simply present myself before Thee, I open my heart to Thee. Behold my needs which I know not myself; see and do according to Thy tender mercy.

Smite, or heal; depress me, or raise me up: I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them; I am silent; I offer myself in sacrifice; I yield myself to Thee; I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will. Teach me to pray. Pray Thyself in me. Amen.

-----Bishop Fenelon

FOUR THINGS

Four things which are not in Thy treasure, I lay before Thee, O Lord, with this petition; my nothingness, my wants, my sins, and my contrition.

-----Robert Southey

PRAYER BEFORE A BATTLE

More than ever I feel the need of having Thee close to me. At any moment I may find myself in battle.

However rigorous the task that awaits me, may I fulfill my duty with courage. If death should overtake me on this field, grant that I die in the state of grace, forgive me all my sins, those I have forgotten and those I recall now: grant me the grace of perfect contrition.

PRAYER ON COMING THROUGH BATTLE UNHARMED