Commontide

Preparation for Personal Prayer

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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Commontide
Prayer
Prayers

For a Birthday

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants whose birthdays we remember as he begins another year. Grant that he may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his trust in your goodness all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BCP 2019, p. 666

Provenance

BCP 1979

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

A birthday prayer composed fresh for the American Book of Common Prayer of 1979, opening with a borrowed line from the Psalms before turning to its own petition for wisdom, grace, and trust as another year begins.