Watch the National Prayer Sevice at Washington National Cathedral.

Over many decades, our nation’s leaders and people of many faiths have gathered at Washington National Cathedral during times of celebration, sorrow, challenge, and hope. The National Cathedral has served as a spiritual home for the nation from services of prayer in times of war and social upheaval to the dedication of a chapel honoring service to country, from comfort during national crises to prayers for newly elected leaders. Once again, the National Cathedral fulfills its role as a gathering place in a time of joy and celebration. With the National Prayer Service for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden on January 21, 2009, people from across the nation come together in prayer for our leaders. This is the mission of Washington National Cathedral—to be a place of solace, strength, and inspiration for our country. We hope you will visit this Cathedral, your Cathedral, often.

At the dawn of this new day of hope we pray  
 to you, O God, to keep this nation
under your care: May it prosper with a renewed
promise of justice and equity for all.

Guide our president, Barack Obama,  
 and all the leaders of this nation, that
they may direct our country in the way of
righteousness. May your love and spirit give  
rise to peace in this land and beyond.

Grant us, the people of this land drawn  
 from all corners of the world, the unity
to embrace our marvelous diversity. May your
grace inspire the whole human family to live
together in harmony.

On this day of new beginnings, light in us  
 a fire for justice, a readiness to forgive,  
a determination to seek what is right and good,
and a commitment to make hope a reality.
Amen.

 

The Book of Common Prayer has many prayers suitable for personal devotion.  The Daily Office includes morning, noon, evening, and compline (night) services that can be used alone or in common with others.  Morning and evening prayer can be said in the traditional language (Rite I) or in contemporary language (Rite II).  These services have their ancient origins in the monastic traditions of the middle ages, where monks and nuns "prayed the hours" seven times a day (as many still do today...)

Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families start on page 136.  This section includes shorter, single page services each for morning, noon, evening, and compline.  These are perfect for busy people who want to make time for prayer a few times during the day.

The Book of Common Prayer includes The Psalter, the 150 Psalms of David, and has two lectionaries for those who want to read the Bible as part of their daily devotions.  The weekly lectionary includes Sunday (and special day) readings that will complete most of the Bible in three years.  The Daily Lectionary completes The Bible in a two year cycle (as well as the entire Psalter in seven week cycles). 

In The Book of Common Prayer, there are prayers (adoration, praise, thanksgiving, penitence, oblation, intercession, and petition)  for every occasion imaginable.  Some are ancient, from the earliest days of the church, and many were composed in modern times. 

Why not establish the daily habit of prayer and scripture reading in your own life?  You may find comfort in knowing that, as you pray alone or with a small group of others, you are really praying to God in common with thousands in the "communion of saints".

Click on the links below for more information:
The Book of Common Prayer (online)
Online Episcopal Lectionary
The Daily Office from The Book of Common Prayer Online
Forward Movement
Oremus Online Hymnal
Synopses of the Gospel
Hypertext Book of Hours
Prayer and Blessing, a Method
Sacred Space, by the Irish Jesuits

The Anglican Cycle of Prayer: this prayer cycle includes a remembrance for all the Provinces and Bishops of the Anglican Communion and a daily lectionary of psalms and scripture.

The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut Cycle of Prayer: This prayer cycle begins the end of August for one calendar year, and includes all the congregations, parishes and institutions within the diocese. Those clergy who are non-stipendiary, retired or employed as military chaplains or serve overseas or elsewhere in this country are periodically remembered by group as are certain organizations. The Dioceses of our former Caribbean Companion Relationship -- Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico -- are each remembered for three months of the year. Parishes (and missions) from Colombia, our Diocesan Companion in Mission, are each remembered twice in this cycle, along with their bishop and leaders. A complete list of diocesan parishes is posted separately.

Click picture to open page for St Margaret's Episcopal Church -Gallowgate, Aberdeen, Scotland

St. Margaret’s is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the city centre of Aberdeen. They are in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney which, like St James, is part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion.