Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/838

 Thanksgivings for the Church

3.  For the Mission of the Church

Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those  whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the  Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by  their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants  call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and  the glory are yours for ever. Amen.

4.  For the Saints and Faithful Departed

We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for all your servants and witnesses of time past: for Abraham, the father of believers,  and Sarah his wife; for Moses, the lawgiver, and Aaron, the  priest; for Miriam and Joshua, Deborah and Gideon, and  Samuel with Hannah his mother; for Isaiah and all the prophets;  for Mary, the mother of our Lord; for Peter and Paul and all  the apostles; for Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene; for  Stephen, the first martyr, and all the martyrs and saints in  every age and in every land. In your mercy, O Lord our God, give us, as you gave to them, the hope of salvation and the  promise of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the  first&#8209;born of many from the dead. Amen.

Thanksgivings for National Life

5.  For the Nation

Almighty God, giver of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. They restore us, though we often destroy them. Heal us. 