Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray thee, in the hearts of all men the true love of peace; and guide with thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility thy kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Book of Common Prayer

Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings

Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth: send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosever liveth is counted dead before thee: grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no selfish desires may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no troubles can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy ambitions may tempt aside. Give us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, perseverance to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-74)

Loving God, you spoke to us and we did not listen

Loving God, you spoke to us and we did not listen.
'I am sending you', said God.
We looked around to see who would go,
then as realization dawned,
we made off in the opposite direction. So we pray:

Forgive us, and send us.

'I need workers', said God.
We looked around to see who would respond,
then, making our excuses,
we tried to tiptoe gently away. So we pray:

Forgive us, and empower us.

'You must be wise as serpents', said Jesus.
We looked around, startled and amazed.
We did not expect to bring intelligence
into reading the gospel! So we pray:

Forgive us, and embolden us.

'Be innocent as doves', said Jesus.
We looked around at those we must face --
challenged to be accepting, gentle, peaceful. So we pray:

Forgive us, and inspire us.

From The Companion to the Lectionary (1996), The British Methodist Church

Send out wisdom from the throne of they glory

Send out wisdom from the throne of thy glory, O Lord, that being present she may labor with me: that I may know at all times what is pleasing to thee.

From the Western Breviary

Lift up our souls above the weary round

Lift up our souls above the weary round of
harassing thoughts to thy eternal presence.
Lift up our minds to the pure, bright serene
atmosphere of thy presence,
that we may breathe freely,
there repose in thy love,
there be at rest from ourselves
and from all things that weary us:
And thence return, arrayed in thy peace,
to do and to bear
whatsoever shall best please thee,
O blessed Lord.

E.B. Pusey (1800-82)

My Jesus, from all eternity you were pleased to give

My Jesus, from all eternity you were pleased to give yourself to us in love. And you planted within us a deep spiritual desire that can only be satisfied by yourself . . . How good it is to love you. Let us be like your disciples on Mount Tabor, seeing nothing else but you . . .

Jean-Baptiste Marie Vianney (1786-1859)