u/lordr66y

If anyone is looking for a brief, but good read, I'd recommend Candles in the Dark, by Rowan Williams. The former archbishop of Canterbury makes my personal Mount Rushmore of Anglican theologians (along with Michael Curry, Frank Griswold, and Desmond Tutu), so I went in expecting to like it, and I did. It was written during the early days of COVID and is a series of meditations, covering spring to autumn of 2020. The biggest drawback is that it's short. Although it's meant to be read one meditation per day, if you really wanted to, you could easily knock the whole book out in an afternoon. The other downside being, is that it was written during the COVID lockdown as a way to keep Christians engaged when many churches were closed. Obviously, that's going to date the book somewhat, but the bulk of the entries remain applicable and timeless. My biggest regret is that I didn't know this book existed during the lockdown, but better late than never. It's easy to read, but he can pack a lot of information into just a couple of pages, so it may be a good resource for someone who in new to the Church, or even just curious.

Since today is the Commemoration of the Baptisms of Manteo and Virginia Dare, I thought I'd post this prayer of thanksgiving for baptism from Frank Griswold's Praying our Days.

Gracious God, through the waters of baptism and the working of the holy Spirit, you have made me one with Christ in his death and resurrection. I have become a limb and member of Christ's risen body, the Church. you have sealed and marked me by the Holy Spirit as Christ's own forever and called me to share in his eternal priesthood. Sustain and strengthen me with your Spirit day by day. Give me an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. In the face of difficulty and distress help me to remember that my life is not my own but the life that Christ lives in me, and that your power working in me can do infinitely more than I can ask or imagine. To you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, now and forever. Amen.

Since today is the feast day of St. Benedict of Nursia, I thought that I'd share a prayer of his, which comes Praying our Days: a Guide and Companion by Frank Griswold (highly recommended by the way).

Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive you, intellect to understand you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, vision to uphold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and life to proclaim you. - St. Benedict, circa 540

Because today is the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner, here is the well known canticle Benedictus Dominus, taken from Saint Augustine's Prayer Book.

Blest +are you, O God of Israel; you have come to your people and set them free. You have raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the House of your servant David. Through your holy prophets you promised of old that you would save us from our enemies, from the hand of those who hate us. You promised to show mercy to our forebears and to remember your holy covenant. This was the oath you swore to Sarah and Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship you without fear, holy and righteous all the days of our live. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Promised oNe to prepare the way, to give all people knowledge of salvation, by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet in the way of peace. Glory to God, Source of all being, Incarnate Word, and Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Since today is the feast day of St. Ephrem of Edessa, here is his well-known prayer:

O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power, and idle talk. But grant unto me, thy servant, a spirit of integrity, humility, patience, and love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not judge another. For blessed art thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.