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SUPPLEMENTARY PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
CHRISTMAS
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, behold there came
wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where
is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen
His star in the east, and are come to worship Him…And,
lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before
them, till it came and stood over where the young child
was." St. Matt.2: 1-9.
FATHER of all Love, we come to Thee this day with humble
hearts, offering our thanks for the great gift of the
Christ-Child. May we ever remember that unless we become
as little children in obedience and purity, in no wise
can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Grant that many
upon the earth-plane may be inspired, as were the wise
men of old, to cross the desert of the unknown, and
by the Star of Faith find that Holy Place of Grace
where Divine Love is manifested before their wondering
eyes. May one and all bring their gifts, both great
and small, to lay before Thine Altar, so that by this
act of personal sacrifice the Christ Teaching may be
spread into many lands. Grant that those once strangers
to Thy unlimited Love, may go on their way rejoicing,
bringing the Christ Message of Goodwill to fellow-pilgrims
on the road to Life. Amen.
PALM SUNDAY
"On the next day much people that were come to the feast,
when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet
Him, and cried: 'Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed
is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.' "
St. John 12: 12.
LORD and Father of mankind, we thank Thee for the remembrance
of Palm Sunday, with all its glad rejoicing; and we
realise that though the troubles of life are many,
again and again the sunshine of Thy Love is shown to
encourage and cheer us on our upward way. Grant that
when the brightness of earthly life seems overshadowed,
we may never forget that Divine Power is being built
up, so that we may take the next stage of experience
with unfaltering steps. Help us to meet the sorrows
of tomorrow with a valiant heart, knowing that if the
day-time of life is followed by the shadows of night,
the dawn will surely come, revealing that one more
lesson has been learnt. And because experience has
been made our own, we know that with faith we can offer
guidance and help to others who are passing through
the night-time of physical life. Help us, O Christ,
to show something of Thy patience and endurance. Amen.
EASTER
"The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came
and rolled back the stone from the door. His countenance
was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake...And the
angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye:
for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for He is risen." St. Matt. 28:
2-6.
O
LOVING Father, we thank Thee with grateful hearts
for the Gift of the Risen Christ, for His life on Earth
and His courage to go through His great ordeal unto
its glorious end. Grant that the tomb of our spiritual
ignorance may be opened by angelic hands, and that
after the testing and the trying by the troubles of
daily life, we may emerge into the sunshine of understanding
as souls arisen from the dead. Heavenly Father, grant
that strength and wisdom may be given to us to roll
back the stone from the tomb of others, so that they
may enter into the joy of the resurrection of the real
self, bearing witness to Thy promise that all who seek
shall find; and all who strive shall arise from their
dead selves into better and purer things. We ask these
things as Thy children, confident of Thy protective
Love. Amen.
ASCENSION DAY
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for
you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter
will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send
Him unto you." St. John 16: 7.
"And when He had spoken these things, while they
beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out
of their sight." Acts 1: 9.
O
HOLY Spirit of Divine Love, we thank Thee for the
manifestation of power given to those of old to strengthen
their faith. With gratitude we recall the sacred words
of Christ Who said that, by withdrawing His visible
Presence from those He loved so well, the Comforter
should come to guide and abide with men, and reveal
unto them all Truth. We know that this promise of old
remains with us today, and that the absence of the
visible Presence of the Holy Master need make no barrier
as, by the power of the Holy Spirit vouchsafed through
the Comforter, we can link up with Divine Love, and
receive that inspiration which shall guide our feet
into the way of true Life. Help us, O Father, in our
search for Truth, and grant that through the gift of
the Holy Spirit within and around us, we may act as
truth-givers, bringing light into the darkness of this
material plane, and leading others into the peace which
Thou alone canst give. Amen.
WHIT-SUNDAY
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were
all with one accord in one place…And there appeared
unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat
upon each of them. And they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2: 1-4.
O
GOD, the Designer of all things, Who didst look with
love upon Thy Creation, inspire us so that we may manifest
to others the power of the Holy Spirit which Thou hast
given to all. Grant that the missionary-spirit, which
is part of our Divinity, may be released within us;
and that, inspired by the remembrance of the saints
and martyrs of another age, we may be steadfast in
our purpose, passing on to others the truths given
forth by Jesus Christ. We know that, as we respond
by thought and deed to Thy Love, so the power of the
Holy Spirit can be poured upon us to guide and to direct.
May we so show the Pentecostal spirit that Thy children,
here and in other lands, may be linked together in
love and service for the raising up of mankind. Amen.
MOTHERING SUNDAY
**It was a rural custom in England in olden times for
all young people away from home to visit their parents
on the mid-Sunday of Lent, bringing a little gift.
The phrase used was "Going-a-Mothering."
FATHER of Infinite Love, we thank Thee for the Gift
of the Christ-Child; and for the memory of the Holy
Mother who, obedient to the voice of the Spirit, accepted
the great trust imposed upon her. Grant that the Mother-Love
she exemplified shall be shown in greater measure upon
the earth-plane, and that the young may remember the
years of loving service given to them by their mother,
and seek to show in return some of the gratitude which
they should feel.
HELP us, O Father, in taking upon ourselves the responsibilities
of parenthood, to manifest something in our lives of
the same selflessness as that shown by Mary the Mother;
who stood aside to allow her Son to take up His Missionary
work among mankind, so that Thy Holy Will on Earth
might be done.
GRANT that our love for the young may be an unselfish
love, so that we may lead our children into the way
laid down by Christ; and, by teaching them that happiness
comes from service, thus to safeguard them from many
of the temptations of physical life. We pray that all
mothers may be able to contact with Thy loving guidance,
and, as old age comes upon them, their children may
rise up and call them blessed. Amen.
FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA
LOVING Father, Creator of all life, we turn to Thee
when earthly storms are rife, and when Nature in her
dangerous mood threatens the lives of Thy children.
We ask Thee, out of Thy tender Love, to stretch out
the hand of protection for those who are battling with
the high waves and the strong winds. Grant that above
the roar of Nature they may hear the quiet voice of
Spirit bidding them calm their fears, bringing peace
though tumult may be all around.
FATHER of all Love, we pray Thee that those who are
safe on land may ever remember the many who go down
to the sea in ships, and that those in peril may contact
with something of comfort. We ask these petitions knowing
that Thy Love faileth never. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR DIVINE HELP
**A prayer to the Address: "The Barricade of Faith"
given by Zodiac on Sunday, November 26th, 1933, at
Greater World Sanctuary, London.
MOST merciful God, we Thy children approach Thee with
humbleness of heart, beseeching that Thou wilt send
down upon those gathered here that manifestation of
power which they would have. Help us, O Christ, so
to give out from ourselves that we may be able to touch
the fringe of Thy Holiness, that we may indeed be banded
together in a spirit of peace, and that the cloak of
peace may be folded around us as we take our daily
way.
GRANT that the troubled may realise that they can possess
the riches of the Spirit; grant that the sick may have
this revelation - that the sickness of the body need
not necessarily be the sickness of the soul. And, Divine
Spirit of Love, let those who wander, seeking for that
which they know not, be led out of the dimness of not
knowing into the light of understanding; grant that
the Door may open and that they may enter in.
BEQUEATH to these, Thy children, joy of heart and a
sweet sense of achievement because the road has been
hard, because they seemed to have asked in vain for
that which the mind of the body craves. Be it unto
them that the sorrows of the past are shown as the
gentle dew under which the flowers of the Spirit shall
be nourished and which shall gladden the Earth.
THESE humble petitions we make the Thee, Lord, not
because of our worthiness, but because Thou art our
Father and Mother, and Thou hast drawn us to Thee by
the bonds of Love. Amen.
A GRACE
(For use when friends meet together)
LOVING Father, we thank Thee for the opportunity of
gathering together in a spirit of happy friendship.
Grant that we may ever be grateful to Thee for all
the good gifts of the Earth, for the sunshine and the
fresh air, and the good food that nourishes our bodies.
In our work and in our play may we always remember
Thee. Amen.
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