Lector: My Lord, My love, my God—All nations bow before you, knowing you perhaps by other names. You are Almighty and Omnipresent and all loving. Help us dear Beloved Creator to understand your ways, and to grow in ful?lling the promise you have given us, that we might all be free from wrongdoing and come to know you through the power of the Resurrection.

All: Set us free when we are hard-pressed; have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

The world you created for us is sorely troubled. Bombs and noxious fumes overwhelm the innocent. Floods, famine, and drought assault the beautiful earth intensi?ed by our own neglect. Deceit and chicanery surround us. Help us to ?nd positive ways to work together to lessen the destruction of the sweet earth and to help those oppressed by war, tyranny, environmental abuse, and other disasters.

Set us free when we are hard-pressed; have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

We thank you for the wonderful mentors you have placed in our life. Particularly now do we mention our priests, Berto and Hugh, our Bishop, Gregory, and all the leaders of faith who inspire us to righteous action and understanding. Bless them all, and all spiritual leaders throughout all lands; uphold them as they guide others to the path of kindness and cooperation as described by Paul in the Acts of the Apostles.

Set us free when we are hard-pressed; have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

We ask also that insight and compassion be foremost in all those who govern. Let us pray especially that our President, Donald, and our Governor, Jay, and their colleagues throughout the world, be motivated by true wisdom. May they be examples and inspiration for all those in power and authority throughout the world.

Set us free when we are hard-pressed; have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

We ask for special blessings on the living creatures who are threatened, endangered, or homeless. Help us to be good stewards of all these sentient beings—wild and domestic—wherever they may be. So many of God’s creatures serve creation in ways we do not begin to appreciate. We thank them for their humble service.

Set us free when we are hard-pressed; have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

We ask also for healings for all those in our midst who su?er from loneliness, addictions, physical illness and other limiting states. Help us to hear their often unspoken pleas, and to respond in ways that are truly helpful. Touch the hearts of those who doubt You that they may know true peace. At this time we would also especially ask for healing prayers for all those on our parish prayer list:

At this time you may wish to add special intentions of your own— whether for a loved person or yourself, aloud or silently. (a moment of silence)

Compassionate prayers are o?ered to the recently bereaved in our midst May the souls of the departed know the peace and joy of your in?nite love and grace, and may the bereaved feel your presence in all that they do. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers. We trust you in your mercy to do what is best and to heal our hearts in all outcomes.

Set us free when we are hard-pressed; have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

Presider: Oh holy Creator, God beyond all Names–your goodness and abundance is far more than we know and de?es our understanding. We thank you for your many blessings which do everywhere abound, for hearing our heartfelt prayers, and for protecting our island community. We trust in your promise and the promise of the Resurrection that will unite all broken hearts and heal all troubled souls in the radiance of eternal love. Amen.