The week most of us were forced home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we gather for the first time in two years to contemplate the collect for the third Sunday in Lent.

We belatedly announce our summer break and pray for its good use. Also: major #catdisclaimer. This week's prayer: O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Image: Evgenly Isaev (https://www.flickr.com/photos/43257267@N08/), distributed under a CC BY license.

We interrupt this Holy Week to talk about the Nunc Dimittis, and interrupt it even more with Britney. You're welcome. This week's text (BCP p. 93): Lord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel. Image: Jornal O Bom Catolico (https://www.flickr.com/photos/obomcatolico/), distributed under a CC BY license.

Unearthing a gem of a prayer from the seldom used Order of Worship for the Evening. This week's prayer (BCP p. 111): Almighty and most merciful God, kindle within us the fire of love, that by its cleansing flame we may be purged of all our sins and made worthy to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Image: Eli Duke (https://www.flickr.com/photos/elisfanclub/), distributed under a CC BY-SA license.

A set of prayers so good you can say them twice a day - we take a look at Suffrages A from Morning & Evening Prayer. BCP p. 97 V. Show us your mercy, O Lord; R. And grant us your salvation. V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy. V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care; R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth. V. Let your way be known upon earth; R. Your saving health among all nations. V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. V. Create in us clean hearts, O God; R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit. Also - this week, Holli acknowledges St. Bede's Breviary, an excellent resource for daily prayer: http://www.stbedeproductions.com/breviary/

Our Lenten series continues with the Kyrie Pantokrator, including the burning question - how do you pronounce Pantokrator anyway? This week's prayer - BCP p. 90 O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, * God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of all their righteous offspring: You made the heavens and the earth, * with all their vast array. All things quake with fear at your presence; * they tremble because of your power. But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; * it surpasses all that our minds can fathom. O Lord, you are full of compassion, * long-suffering, and abounding in mercy. You hold back your hand; * you do not punish as we deserve. In your great goodness, Lord, you have promised forgiveness to sinners, * that they may repent of their sin and be saved. And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, * and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, * and I know my wickedness only too well. Therefore I make this prayer to you: * Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. Do not let me perish in my sin, * nor condemn me to the depths of the earth. For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, * and in me you will show forth your goodness. Unworthy as I am, you will save me, in accordance with your great mercy, * and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life. For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, * and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.

As Lent approaches, we shift into a more penitential gear, looking at the prayer of confession in Morning Prayer, Rite 1. We also fail to act like adults. This week's prayer (BCP page 41) Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, spare thou those who confess their faults, restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. Image: Mon Œil (https://www.flickr.com/photos/claveirole/), distributed under a CC BY License.

It's a double-feature! We pray for courts of justice, for local government, and at long last, we meet George Albert Zabriskie, who achieved the hat trick in collects for the branches of government. For Courts of Justice Almighty God, who sittest in the throne judging right: We humbly beseech thee to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of thee alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. For Local Government Almighty God our heavenly Father, send down upon those who hold office in this State (Commonwealth, City, County, Town, ____________) 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. Image: Aviva West (https://www.flickr.com/photos/26263283@N00/), distributed under a CC BY-SA license.

As our series on praying for the government continues, we look at the BCP's collect praying for Congress or a state legislature. Also, we begin our campaign to get a Kindle edition of Hatchett. We need your help! O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech thee so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled (or in the Legislature of this State, or Common wealth), that they may enact such laws as shall please thee, to the glory of thy Name and the welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Image: Congress, by Thomas Hawk (https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/), distributed under a CC BY-NC license.

We look at the prayer for our country on page 820, and find at least one good reason to look at prayer book revision. Also, lectors - take note of a name that might trip you up this Sunday. Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Here's a link to the video of the Rev. E. Suzanne Wille speaking at the Women's March on Washington - Indianapolis Location that Brendan talked about: https://www.facebook.com/robyn.m.rider/videos/1394713357214699/ Image: Thomas Hawk (https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/), distributed under a CC BY-NC license.