I've been reading through one of my treasured books - the St Augustine Prayer Book. There is lots of wisdom in there for Christian living and there are prayers for all seasons. One that caught my attention tonight is the Litany for Intercession in the Night. It's one of those prayers when I read it out, I myself feel stirred and challenged by it.
O God our Father, for the sake of the infinite love that burned in the heart of they Son as He bore His passion, we plead for all tonight who stand most in need of thy merciful love and protection.
Try my heart, as you visit me by night. For the wrongs we have committed and the good we have left undone, have mercy. For all false judgments and uncharitable thoughts toward others, have mercy. For presumption on thy grace and arrogance towards others, have mercy.
By thy humility in washing the disciples' feet, save us, Jesus. For those in darkness this night, save us, Jesus.
On souls beset by temptation, have mercy. On those in deadly sin, have mercy. On those given up to worldliness and forgetful of thee, have mercy. On those who are in danger of losing thee forever, have mercy.
By thine agony, save them, Jesus.
Those who are tempting others, convert to thy love. On those carrying on wicked trades and profiting by sin, have mercy. On those indulging in sinful and exploitative amusements, have mercy. On all imperiling their souls by luxury and self-indulgence, have mercy. On all acting in cruel and viscous disregard of others, have mercy.
By thy scourging, save them, Jesus.
Those who suffer from the wickedness of others, protect and restore by thy love.
On all without home and shelter this night, have mercy. On refugees and those whose homes are destroyed in war, have mercy. On children abandoned or disowned by their families, have mercy. On all in mental anguish, have mercy. On those caught in addiction and destructive habits, have mercy. On the hungry, the cold, and the frightened, have mercy. By thy cross and passion, save them, Jesus.
Those who are out to rescue and protect, strengthen by thy Love. For those who work through the night hours, have mercy. For the police and first responders in crisis, have mercy. For those in transportation, have mercy. For journalists, have mercy. For those who clean and repair buildings or infrastructure, have mercy. For all whose work sustains our community, have mercy.
By thy nights spent watching in prayer, save them, Jesus.
To those who work or watch or weep this night, sustain with thy presence.
To the sick and the suffering, and all in agony of body or mind, give comfort and peace.
To parents watching with sleepless children, to caregivers tending the elderly, to all who stand and watch other others this night, give patience and steadfastness.
For the sleepless and the lonely, be near them. For those in anxiety or mental distress, calm them. For those who this night will suffer bereavement, visit and sustain them.
For those who will die this night, give home and in thy mercy receive their souls. On those dying suddenly and unprepared, have mercy. On those dying without hope or faith, have mercy. On those dying alone, have mercy.
To the faithful departed, especially those who have passed on this year, and any for whom no one prays, grant light and peace. To us sinners, now and in the hour of our death, grant pardon of sins, renewal of faith, quickening of love, and a reasonable and holy hope in thee. By thy holy death, deliver us, Jesus. By thy glorious resurrection, save us and bring us all to the joys of paradise.
For those who have said no prayers, and for whom no one has prayed, let us say: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
