This week, we continue to explore one of three types of prayers. Last week, we learned about collects. This week, we will learn about
litanies
. The following week, we will learn more about contemplative prayer.
The most recent version** of the
Book of Common Worship
(
p. 1099-1100) has very helpful commentary on what a litany is:
"In the Greek Old Testament, “litany” simply meant a prayer of entreaty or supplication. In Christian tradition, the term came to refer to a variety of forms of prayer: bidding prayers in the early church, interspersed with silence, and ending with a concluding collect; particular prayers in the Eastern Orthodox or Byzantine liturgy, including the greater litany (
synapte
) and fervent litany (
ektenia
); and the penitential intercessions of the Roman Catholic Church, such as the Solemn Intercession of the Good Friday liturgy.
In contemporary usage, litany often refers to a list prayer that includes congregational responses, taking the form of a dialogue between leader and people. Those who use or compose litanies should take care that the congregational responses are words that can be authentically spoken by all the people of God. Worship planners are also advised to use litanies that have a simple, single response that can be printed once or taught before the prayer, thus avoiding the need for lengthy service bulletins."
But, let's not forget that the Episcopal Church has an
extremely helpful website
that references the
Episcopal Dictionary of the Church
.
"An intercessory prayer including various petitions that are said or sung by the leader and fixed responses by the congregation. It was used as early as the fifth century in Rome. It was led by a deacon, with the collects led by a bishop or priest. The litany was the first English language rite that was prepared by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556). It was first published in 1544. The
1979 BCP
titled the litany 'The Great Litany' (pp. 148-154), distinguishing it from other litanies in the BCP."
This week,
I invite you to read this Litany of Healing
(p. 174-175) from the
Book of Occasional Services
at least a few times.
Meditate
on these words, especially during this time of multiple pandemics. If you are able to,
read this litany with one other person
- one reading the regular text and the other reading the italicized text. This can be done over the phone or in person.
Are there any portions that are particularly comforting to you? Uncomfortable? Is there anything that you would add?
------
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers.
God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
You are the Lord who does wonders:
You have declared your power among the peoples.
With you, O Lord, is the well of life:
And in your light we see light.
Hear us, O Lord of life:
Heal us, and make us whole.
Let us pray.
A period of silence follows.
Open us to your healing power, O God. We entrust ourselves to your care, knowing that you are doing for us and for all the world far better things than we can ask or imagine. With you as our companion and guide, strengthen us to hope for all that is good, and to fear no evil. For your love is stronger than death, and your faithfulness reaches to the heavens; and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and to the ages of ages.
Amen
.
**A PDF of an older version of the
Book of Common Worship
can be found
here
.
