Prayers for Unity in the Church and Civil Authorities of the United States

Justin Haggerty | The Daily Knight

(Aleteia)

FOR DIVINE PROTECTION

Through Thy peace, O Christ, Redeemer, which passeth all understanding, fortify us, and secure us from all evil; include us in the number of Thy true adorers, who worship Thee inspirit and in thruth; for to all the Holy Trinity belongs glory, power, and honor, now and ever, world without end. Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Armenian Liturgy

FOR PEACE AND UNITY

Thou seest, Lord, how on every side the storms have broken loose and the seas rage with wildly tossing waves; O do thou, we beseech Thee, who along canst command the winds and the sea, give back to mankind the true peace which the world cannot give - the tranquility of order. Let all men, by Thy gift and guidance, return to that just order, subjecting their passions to reason, establishing the reign of piety towards God, of justice and charity towards their neighbor, of temperance within themselves. May Thy kingdom come! May salvation, learn to understand the need of serving and obeying Thee. For Thy laws are wholly just and full of fatherly mildness; and to observe them Thou freely givest us power in Thy own strength. Man's life on earth is a warfare; but Thou dost look upon the conflict and help each one to overcome; Thou dost raise him up when he falls and crown him when he conquers.

Pope Leo XIII

FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

O Lord Jesus, so thoughtful of others, so forgetful of self, who a few hours before Thy death didst make Thy will and bequeath to us Thy all, put now that will into execution. Thou hadst no earthly goods to give, no money, no house, no possessions, no garments even to dispose of since these must go to Thy executioners. Thou was most poor - none ever poorer. Yet before Thy death, at Thy last supper, Thou didst make Thy will and bequeath to the Apostles and to us two most precious gifts Thy peace and Thy presence.

Let us receive Thee into our lives, that through Thee we may be all united and Thy Church be ever free from disorder and dissension, from pride and selfishness and greed that destroy Thy peace. Regard not our individual sins and unworthiness but the faith and virtue of Thy Church, and grant that all its members may be united and knit together in the bonds of peace, who livest and reignest God, world without end.

FOR THE CHURCH

O Christ our Lord, strengthen the foundation of Thy Church. Let singleness of heart take deep root in us. Guide us in the way of godliness. Bestow on the clergy grace; to monks, give endurance; to virgins, purity; a good life give to those who are married; to those who are in penitence, give mercy; goodness, to the rich; meekness, to the humble; to the poor give aid; strengthen the aged, teach the converts, convert unbelievers; let divisions in the Church be healed. Destroy the pride of heretics. Reckon us all among the pious.

Remember, O Lord, my poverty: forgive me my sins. The place where iniquity abounds, let Thy grace abound. Take now away from Thy people the grace of the Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us, O God our savior; have mercy on us, O God our savior; have mercy on us, O God our savior: give to Thy people singleness of heart!

Saint Gregory Nazianzen

Let us pray for the holy Church of God, that our God and Lord may give it peace, maintain it in union, and preserve it over the earth, making principalities and powers subject to it; and grant us to lead a quiet and peaceful life to the glory of God the almighty Father.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast revealed Thy glory to all the nations in Christ, preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread over the whole world, may persevere with a constant faith i the confession of Thy name. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

The Liturgy of Good Friday

FOR THE CHURCH AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES

John Carroll (1735 - 1815), first bishop (Baltimore) in the United States, was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. This prayer was composed in 1800.

We pray Thee, O almighty and Eternal God, who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life our chief bishop, N., vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His Church; our own bishop, (or archbishop,) N., (if he is not consecrated, our bishop-elect); all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgements decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people, over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.

We pray for his Excellency the Governor of this State, for the members of the Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow-citizens, throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace: the souls of our parents, relations, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation; and particularly of such are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship, and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Archbishop Carroll

FOR THE PRESIDENT

We beseech Thee, almighty God, that Thy servant, N., who by Thy mercy has assumed the government of our country, may experience an increase of all virtues, and being suitably equipped thereby, may both avoid grave sins and come to Thee, who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Gregorian Sacramentary

FOR THE POPE

O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for us also, and is offering unto Thee with holy fervor the sacred Victim of love and peace.

Wherefore, O lord, turn Thyself toward us with eyes of pity; for we are now, as it were, forgetful of ourselves, and are praying above all for him. Do Thou unite our prayers with his and receive them into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy, as a sweet savor of active and fruitful charity, whereby the children are united in the Church to their Father. All that he asks of Thee this day, we too ask it of Thee in union with him.

Whether he weeps or rejoices, whether he hopes or offers himself as a victim of charity for his people, we desire to be united with him; nay more, we desire that the cry of our hearts should be made one with his. Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord, that not one of us may be far from his mind and his heart in the hour that he prays and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son. At that moment when our venerable High Priest, holding His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ, shall say to the people over the chalice of benediction these words: "The peace of the Lord be with you always," grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace may come down upon our hearts and upon all the nations with new and manifest power. Amen.

Indulgence of 500 days once a day. (653)

FOR THE BISHOP

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy servant our bishop, that, by preaching and doing such things as are right, he may by the example of good works edify the minds of those under his authority, and receive of Thee, most tender Shepherd, an everlasting recompense and reward.

FOR PREISTS

O God, whose ways all show mercy and truth, carry out Thy kindly work, and by Thy goodness give what human frailty cannot achieve, that they who minister at the heavenly Mysteries may in their faith be perfect, and may they be, in the purity of their souls, a light that will shine forth to all.

Leonine Sacramentary

FOR HOLY PRIESTS

O Jesus, eternal priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy sacred heart, where non may tough them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy sacred body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy precious blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood. Let Thy holy love keep them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter.

FOR ZEALOUS PRIESTS

Sanctify to Thyself, O my Lord, the hearts of Thy priests, that, by the merits of Thy sacred humanity, they may become living images of Thee, children of Mary, and full of the fire of the Holy Ghost, that they may guard Thy house, and defend Thy glory, and that through their ministry the face of the earth may be renewed, and they may save those souls which have cost Thee all Thy blood. Amen.

Queen of Apostles, pray thy Son, the Lord of the Harvest, to send laborers into His harvest, and to spare His people.

All prayers are taken from The Prayer Book, The Catholic Press, 1954.

In Christ Crucified and the Most Victorious Heart of Jesus.