The General Prayer

Lord, grant all your children their needs,
which you know what they are. Bless each and every one of us
according to your will. Almighty and merciful God, the father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, we give thee thanks for all Thy goodness and
tender mercies, especially for the gift of your dear Son and for the
revelation of Thy will and grace; we beseech thee so to implant Thy
word in us that in good and honest hearts, we may keep it and bring
forth good fruit by patient continuance in well doing.

Most heartily, we beseech thee so to rule and govern Thy church
Universal, with all its ministers and teachers, that we may be
preserved in the true doctrine of Thy saving word, whereby faith
toward Thee may be strengthened, charity increased in us toward all
mankind, and Thy kingdom extended. Send forth laborers into Thy
harvest and sustain those whom Thou has sent, that the
Reconciliation may be proclaimed to all people and the Gospel
preached in the entire world.

Also grant health and prosperity to those in authority in all levels
of government, and endure them with grace to rule after Thy goodness
and pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness and the hindrance
and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful
life in all godliness and honesty.

May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and
adversaries that they may cease their enmity and be inclined to walk
with us in meekness and peace. We pray for those who are in trouble,
want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other
adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy name's and
for Thy truth's sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that
they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the
manifestations of Thy fatherly will.

And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold
punishments, yet we entreat Thee, O merciful Father, remember not
the sins of our youth nor our many transgressions, but out of Thine
unspeakable goodness, grace, and mercy, defend us from all harm and
danger to our body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious
doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from
all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure
of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy
mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of every trouble,
show Thyself a very present help, the savior of all men, and
especially of them that believe.

Cause all merciful fruits of the Earth to prosper, that we may enjoy
them in due season, Give success to the Christian training of the
young, to the lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all pure
arts and useful knowledge, and crown them with Thy blessing.
Receive O God, our bodies and souls and all our talents, together
with the offerings we bring before Thee, for Thou has purchased us
to be Thine own, that we may live unto Thee.

These and whatsoever other things thou would have us ask of thee, O
God, grant unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death
of Jesus Christ, Thine Son our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns
with Thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

Amen.