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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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Prayer
Prayers

For Civil Authorities

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send down on those who hold public office the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

BCP 2019, p. 655

Provenance

Episcopal BCP 1979

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

A prayer composed for the 1979 revision of the American Episcopal prayer book, asking God to give those in public office the gifts of wisdom, charity, and justice. The ACNA 2019 prayer book adopted it with a deliberate broadening: where the original named "this State, Commonwealth, City, County, or Town," the 2019 version opens the bracket to any level of civil authority.