Prayer Books

[JM]

Sometimes when I pray I run out of things to pray for, so I've been looking for a prayer book to use, but most of the prayer books I've been finding are RC. I've looked into the Book of Common Prayer and found a true treasure of Reformed liturgy and I also found "A Book of Reformed Prayers" by Williamson. Does anyone own this title? Could you suggest a prayer book, something small and handy, including prayers before meals, etc.?

Thanks folks.

 

[Elderone]

There is a Presbyterian publication "The Book of Common Worship" which has 85 pages of prayers, chapter IV The Treasury of Prayers, Prayers for the Christian Year, Civil Year, Special Use, Special Graces, Dedication of Offerings, Ascriptions, Benedictions, Assurances of Pardon, Family Prayers, Special Intercessions, Brief Petitions, Grace Before Meat.

My copy is the eighth printing in 1964, copyright 1946, Published for the Office of the General Assembly by the General Division of Publication of the Board of Christian Education of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, so it should be reasonably conservative.

This was my fathers copy, dated June 1966. I do not know if it is still available.

 

[JM]

Found it on Amazon, it looks like the perfect book to help encourage me when time for prayer is difficult, thank you. But I'd like to know is the Cumberland and Presbyterian Church USA liberal or conservative?

 

[HiredGoon]

Found it on Amazon, it looks like the perfect book to help encourage me when time for prayer is difficult, thank you. But I'd like to know is the Cumberland and Presbyterian Church USA liberal or conservative?

The CPC and PC(USA) are both Liberal.

 

[JM]

Does the BCW reflect those liberal views?

 

[HiredGoon]

Does the BCW reflect those liberal views?

Sorry, I wouldn't know, as I haven't seen one, but I'd be wary. I don't know of any conservative Presbyterian denominations in the US that officially use it.

As far as prayer books, the only one that I own is Valley of Vision. Its a collection of reformed and Puritan writings edited in the form of devotions and prayers for each day, morning and evening, and special occasions.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I don't know about the one Prayer books you own, but I do know the Bucer (Calvin's mentor) signed off on the 1552 Book of Common Prayer for the Anglican Church.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

 

[McWilliams]

First, I would suggest reading John Bunyan's book, "Prayer", which he wrote to strongly object to the use of the Book of Prayer of the Church of England.
He gives a great definition of prayer and also all that one would need to know about the subject! We did a study of this book and it was very helpful and informative!

 

[Iosias]

First, I would suggest reading John Bunyan's book, "Prayer", which he wrote to strongly object to the use of the Book of Prayer of the Church of England.

I strongly object to people strongly objecting to the BCP! I had dinner with a friend a few weeks ago to catch up and he had a major go at me for using the BCP but how can you fault the following:

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

1552 BCP & 1662 BCP

 

[Iosias]

I don't know about the one Prayer books you own, but I do know the Bucer (Calvin's mentor) signed off on the 1552 Book of Common Prayer for the Anglican Church.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

I have been reading Cranmer's letters and they are facinating. He wrote to all of the major Reformers (except Luther).

 

[McWilliams]

By the same token I have the Valley of Vision Prayer Book, which was a gift and the prayers are just beautiful to read. However, my thoughts are that God is desirous of communication with you and your heart!
Bunyan's book is all about prayer and praying. He only states the BCP as his reason, in the preface, for the writing of the book. As are all Bunyan's works it is very thought provoking and inspiring.

 

[JM]

By the same token I have the Valley of Vision Prayer Book, which was a gift and the prayers are just beautiful to read. However, my thoughts are that God is desirous of communication with you and your heart!
Bunyan's book is all about prayer and praying. He only states the BCP as his reason, in the preface, for the writing of the book. As are all Bunyan's works it is very thought provoking and inspiring.

Have you ever been to a BCP liturgy? It's not the end all be all, but it does allow a Reformer to connect with the historic Church, which used liturgy as it's core for over a 1000 years.

That said, I agree, we are to pray from the heart. But when prayer is difficult and the words will not come, or when I'm leading my family in prayer, it sometimes helps to have a short list of prayers that will touch on the needs of those gathered better then I may be able to at the time.

The of Vision looks good and it's from the Banner of Truth.

Peace,

jm

 

[JM]

The Valley of Vision
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.

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http://www.oldlandmarks.com/puritan.htm​

 

[McWilliams]

[SIZE=+0]O Lord, Whose power is infinite and wisdom infallible, order things that they may neither hinder, nor discourage me, nor prove obstacles to the progress of Thy cause. Stand between me and all strife, that no evil befall, no sin corrupt my gifts, zeal, attainments. May I follow duty and not any foolish device of my own. Permit me not to labour at work which Thou wilt not bless,[/SIZE] [SIZE=+0]that I may serve thee without disgrace or debt. Let me dwell in Thy most secret place under thy shadow, where is safe impenetrable protection from[/SIZE] [SIZE=+0] the arrow that flieth by day, the pestilence that walketh in darkness, the strife of tongues, the malice of ill-will, the hurt of unkind talk, the snares of company, the perils of youth, the temptations of middle life, the moumings of old age, the fear of death. I am entirely dependent upon Thee for support, counsel, consolation. Uphold me by Thy free Spirit, and may I not think it enough to be preserved from falling, but may I always go forward, always abounding in the work Thou givest me to do. Strengthen me by Thy Spirit in my inner self for every purpose of my Christian life. All my jewels I give to the shadow of the safety that is in Thee[/SIZE]—[SIZE=+0]my name anew in Christ, my body, soul, talents, character, my success, wife, children, friends, work, my present, my future, my end. Take them, they are Thine, and I am thine, now and for ever.[/SIZE]