A Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, O Spirit of God and make within us your dwelling place and home. May our darkness be dispelled by your light, and our troubles calmed by your peace; May all evils be redeemed by your love, all pain transformed through the suffering of Christ, and all dying glorified by his risen life. Amen.
“A Prayer Book for Australia”
What We Do
In solidarity with one another, all Daughters everywhere make the same promises upon their admission to the Order:
To obey the two Rules of The Order: The Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service.
To offer at all times loyal aid to our clergy and parish to spread Christ’s kingdom.
To wear faithfully the cross of The Order.
To work for the purposes of The Order as God may give us the opportunity.
The Prayer of the Order
O Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your heavenly Kingdom. Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world. Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross through the battles of our earthly life. Give us strength to overcome temptation and the grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always remember it is your work we are called to do, that all we think, do or say may be pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Flood Victims
Almighty God,
We come to you with a heavy heart for all those communities affected by this Hurricane. While it’s tempting to ask you “Why did this happen?”, we humbly submit to your will and instead ask, Lord, for you to be a beacon of hope among the wreckage.
Grant safety to the men, women, and little children navigating the dangerous flood waters. Strengthen local clergy and
congregants as they provide shelter and aid for their communities. Specifically, give wisdom and present resources to pastors and lay leaders working to provide for the physical needs of those who have lost homes, precious belongings, and are possibly separated from their loved ones. Give them courage to minister to the spiritual needs as well.
No doubt considerable fear and anxiety haunt those in affected areas. Grant unshakable peace and rid this storm’s victims of the spirit of fear. Show us all how to respond to the needs of those struggling with frustration and fear, that we may serve you well through your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Those Affected by Hurricanes, Isonomies, Typhoons, Floods, or Natural Disasters.
That those who suffer homelessness, whether temporary or permanent, as a result of the turmoil of natural disasters will know hope from trust in the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For those who are in the path of destruction will not lose hope and feel helpless, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For those who have lost family members in the destructive hurricanes, and for those who have yet to suffer the effects of Hurricane, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For those who have volunteered to serve their brothers and sisters affected by hurricanes, that they may remain strong, dedicated to service, and wise in their decisions, we pray to the Lor.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For those who have contributed their prayers to God, for relief of the suffering of thousands who have been affected, that they will continue their prayers and not give up hope in God, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For the survivors and for those who have survived the initial impact, that our prayers may rise up like incense for their safety, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
That all victims of natural disasters, especially those we have experienced in the U.S. and abroad in the past month, may find God’s comfort in their suffering, and help each other survive their devastation, we pray to the Lord. Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
T
hat the Holy Spirit will inspire all people of good will to reach out to those who suffer natural disasters—spiritually, financially, or with physical assistance, we pray to the Lord,
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
That we may continue to preach and to live out true respect for the earth, and work to preserve the goodness that God has given us, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For rescue workers and all the volunteers that come forward to assist victims, that they are sustained with bodily strength and calmness of mind as they aid those in need, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
For federal and state officials charged with hurricane relief, that they be guided by God’s compassion and love for humankind, we pray to the Lord. 16.For all those who mourn the loss of loved ones, that the Lord shines His light on them and comfort them in this time of darkness, we pray to the Lord.
Have Mercy Dear Lord, Have Mercy.
Collect
Gracious and loving God, In all things and at all times, help us to remember that when the storms of life come upon us, you are always with us, leading us to shelter, guiding us to safety, comforting us in our need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Healing and Grace
Gracious God,
We confess our need for you today. We need your healing and your grace. We need hope restored. We need to be reminded that you work on behalf of those you love, constantly, powerfully, completely. Forgive us for trying to fix our situations all on our own. Forgive us for running all different directions and spinning our wheels to find help, when true help and healing must be found first in You. Forgive us for forgetting how much we need you, above everyone and everything else. We come to you and bring you the places we are hurting. You see where no one else is able to fully see or understand. You know the pain we've carried. The burdens. The cares. You know where we need to be set free. We ask for your healing and grace to cover every broken place. Every wound. Every heartache. Thank you that you are Able to do far more than we could ever imagine. Thank you for your Mighty Power that acts on behalf of your children. We reach out to you and know that you are restoring and redeeming every place of difficulty, every battle, for your greater glory.
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Scripture
Exodus 15:22-26 NIV
22Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Reflection
The Bible describes God as "Jehovah-Rophe" (or Jehovah-Rapha) more than 60 times. Jehovah means “God” and Rophe or Rapha means “to restore,” “to heal,” or “to make healthful.”
In Exodus 15:26, God promised Moses and the people of Israel, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Healer is an integral part of God’s character. God cares about every area of your health — your physical health, your mental and emotional well-being as well as your spiritual vitality). When we understand that God is Jehovah-Rophe, the Great Physician, we recognize that no healing happens apart from Him. Only He can provide lasting healing from our brokenness.
Our Healer has never and will never change and today the Holy Spirit through the grace of God heals as He works through modern medicine, just like He worked through ancient Israel’s laws to protect them from disease centuries ago.
So Daughters, let us rely on the Holy Spirit to bring about the healing that is needed as we continue to rely on Him to walk with us through this journey of life.
Reflect:
· When you think about your overall health,
what can you begin to give God today for healing?
· What are you grateful to God for regarding your health today?
Intercessions
Loving God,
We ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit to help us pray as we ought.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the energy and vision of your Spirit for those who are tiring in the battle against injustice and oppression: for those exhausted by the struggle with poverty and hunger.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the hope and comfort of your Spirit for those whose lives are overshadowed by illness or pain; for those whose lives are darkened by sorrow or bereavement.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the peace and joy of your Spirit for those living in the shadow of war and violence; for those eaten up by guilt and anxiety and whose Christian life has become hard and dry.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the guidance and strength of your Spirit for those uncertain how to use their time, talents and gifts; for those tempted to do what is wrong.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
We ask for the love and courage of your Spirit for those reaching out to comfort the distressed; for those reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
Loving God,
We ask for the assurance of your Spirit to know your presence with us in our daily lives: in our relationships; in our work and service; in our worship; in our times of joy and pain.
Holy Spirit: Help Us.
In Jesus’ name: Amen.
Extemporaneous Prayer
Heavenly Father we ask you to hold the following people in the palm of your hand.
Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times
Dear Lord,
in these troubled times make your presence known to all the peoples around the world so that they may see peace as the only way to salvation. Replace the anger and violence in our hearts with joy and tranquility and help us to seek the good in everyone. Cause us all to realize that without you we can do nothing that will bring us peace and joy. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen.
For our Country
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen..
The Holy Cross
Almighty God, whose beloved son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow Him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Motto of the Order
For His Sake...I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Closing Prayer
Lord, your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Thank you that we can live in Your light and walk in Your truth. May the things that you have revealed and thoughts that we have shared dwell in our hearts and stir us to action. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
May the Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
