I love, at times, the almost poetic beauty and comfort the familiar prayers in the Book of Common Prayer. This book, 70% filled with Scripture, is the book that draws Episcopalians together out of a desire to worship together. Please hear me correctly; I love extemporaneous prayers, heartfelt, and in the moment too! Sometimes though, extemporaneous prayers leave one searching and feeling ill equipped and wondering where to start; at least, this was certainly true of me for many years of my life.

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In my tradition, from time to time, you will hear the Latin phrase,“lex orandi, lex credendi.”Originally from Saint Prosper of Aquitaine's, a 5th century theologian, it translates as “Praying Shapes Believing.” If my prayers are constantly turned inward to my needs, it seems likely my beliefs about God and my world will follow. If my prayers are ones of praise and thanks for God that look outward toward my neighbors and then inward toward myself and my loved ones, it seems likely my beliefs will take shape in this manner.

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I believe Jesus invites us to pray in a fashion that takes an outward posture, starting with the Lord’s Prayer. No matter which prayer pattern or liturgy one turns to in the Book of Common Prayer (Morning, Noon, Evening and Night Prayer), you will find the Lord’s Prayer a place to begin. I have also found over the years, what feels good in my heart when I pray is to have verses of Scripture that speak to my heart and that can easily be called upon in a moment of need. Psalm

46:10a “Be Still and Know that I am God,” is one of those for me.I also love having a few prayers that touch my heart with a another type of poetic beauty informed by Scripture.

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The Daily Morning Prayer pattern, the ancient “Prayer for Guidance” rooted in Acts 17:28 “For, ‘In him we live and move and have our being’” is one of my favorites:

 

“Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by

your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are

ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

 

Here is an ancient prayer from the Daily Evening Prayer pattern. Attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo, the faithful have been uttering this prayer since the 4th-century:

 

“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who

sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.”

 

Having shared a few of my favorites, I would welcome learning some of your favorite “go-to” scripture and prayers.
 

Faithfully,

Rev’d Stephanie +