Beatitudes

Grant, O Lord, that having put aside every weight and the sins that do so easily beset us; and every motion both of flesh and spirit which is contrary to the will of Your holiness:

We may be meek, that so we may inherit the earth:
May be peacemakers, that so we may be called children of God:
May be merciful, that so we may obtain mercy:
May be poor in spirit, that so we may have part in the kingdom of heaven:
May be pure in heart, that so we may see God:
May hunger and thirst after righteousness, that so we may be filled:
May mourn, that so we may be comforted:
And may be prepared for persecutions and reproaches for righteousness’ sake.
That so our reward may be in heaven. 

-- Launcelot Andrewes (1555-1626), English bishop, theologian, and scholar whose feast day is today, in Evelyn Underhill, Evelyn Underhill's Prayer Book.



Image: Cosimo Roselli, The Sermon on the Mount, fresco in the Sistine Chapel, 1481-1482

For grace

Let us find grace in Your sight, O Lord; that we may have grace to serve You acceptably with reverence and godly fear. And let us also have that second grace, not to receive that grace in vain, or to fall short of it: at least in any wise not so to neglect it as to fall from it, but to stir up and rekindle it, so as to grow in it, and abide in it, to the end of our life.

And, O, make perfect to us that which is lacking to us in Your gracious gifts:
Of faith, add to our little faith.
Of hope, confirm our trembling hope.
Of love, kindle its smoking flax.
Shed abroad in our hearts Your Love; that we may love You, and our friends in You, and our enemies for You.
You, who give grace unto the humble, even to us, give grace to be humble.
You, who never give up them that fear You, unite our hearts to fear Your Name; and be this fear our confidence.

-- Launcelot Andrewes (1555-1626), English bishop, theologian, and scholar, cited by Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), in Evelyn Underhill's Prayer Book

Benediction

The power of the Father, guide and guard us.
The wisdom of the Son, enlighten us.
The working of the Spirit, quicken us.
Guard our souls.
Strengthen our bodies.
Our senses, refine; our conduct, correct; our characters, set in tune.

Bless our actions:
perfect our prayers:
breathe into us holy thoughts.
Our sins that are past, forgive,
our present sins, amend,
and future sins, prevent.

Unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, far beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us: to Him be glory in the Church in Christ unto all generations. 

--Launcelot Andrewes (1555-1626) collected by Evelyn Underhill, in Evelyn Underhill's Prayer Book.

Scripture reference: Ephesians 3:20-21

Photo: window in La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, May 2015.

Embodying Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ,
I give you my hands, to do your work,
my feet to follow in your way,
my eyes to see as you see,
my tongue to speak your words;
take my mind and let my thoughts dwell always on you
and in my spirit, pray always within me.
Above all, I give you my heart;
that in me you may love your Father
and all people.
I give you myself,
that you may grow in me,
so that it is you, Lord Jesus,
who lives
and works
and prays in me.


-- attributed to Lancelot Andrewes, from St. Augustine's Prayer Book

Photo: Icon of the Emmaus encounter

Prayer of Petition

Lord,
be thou within us, to strengthen us;
without us, to keep us;
above us, to protect us;
beneath us, to uphold us;
before us, to direct us;
behind us, to keep us from straying;
round about us, to defend us.

--Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, Preces Privatae, 16th Century

From the Intercession for the First Day

I commend to Thee, O Lord,

my soul, and my body,

my mind, and my thoughts,

my prayers, and my vows,

my senses, and my works,

my life, and my death;

my brothers, my sisters, and their children;

my friends, benefactors, and well-wishers,

those who have a claim on me,

my kindred, my neighbours,

my country, and all Christian people.

I commend to Thee, O Lord,

my impulses, and my occasions,

my resolves, and my attempts,

my going out, and my coming in,

my sitting down, and my rising up.

-- Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626), from "First Day: Intercessions," in Devotions, p. 79