I. LITURGICAL COMMITTEE

A. Material: Report 13, 188-99

B. Background: The Synod of 1983 gave final approval to Section One of the collection of prayers with the exception of Pastoral Prayer Number 3, which was recommitted to the committee for further revision. The committee has now decided to drop that prayer. The committee now submits the other sections to synod for final approval: Section Two, "Opening Prayers for Church Use on Special Occasions," and Section Three, "Prayers for Special Needs." It also submits a list of forms for the new Psalter Hymnal.

C. Recommendations:

1. That synod give the privilege of the floor to Dr. Carl G. Kromminga and Mr. James Vanden Bosch during the discussion of the Liturgical Committee report.

-Granted

2. That synod approve the following amendments to the prayers:

a. "Prayer for the Family: For the last two lines on page 193, substitute: "For the lonely, the homeless, and all who experience distress in the family,"
Ground: This amendment avoids the problem of praying for only some distress in the family (e.g., being a widow) while ignoring other distress (e.g., problems of single parents).

b. "Prayer for the Distressed and Suffering" Expand line 17 of this prayer (p. 195) to read "and to those who are alone,"
Ground: This amendment clarifies that line of the prayer.

-Adopted

3. That synod give final approval to the Collection of Prayers, Section Two, and to Section Three as amended.

-Adopted

I. COLLECTION OF PRAYERS

The Synod of 1975 mandated our committee to submit a new collection of prayers to the churches. A collection was presented to the Synod of 1980 and the Synod of 1981, and these prayers were approved for provisional use. In 1983 Synod gave final approval to Section One ("Prayers Commonly Used in Worship") with the exception of Pastoral Prayer Number 3, which was recommitted to the committee for further revision.

The committee now submits the other sections to synod for final approval: Section Two, "Opening Prayers for Church Use on Special Occasions," and Section Three, "Prayers for Special Needs." As we noted in previous reports, these prayers contain a variety of styles to reflect the diversity in our churches. Although the use of these prayers is not obligatory, we do request synod to commend the prayers to the churches.

SECTION TWO

OPENING PRAYERS FOR CHURCH USE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS

ADVENT

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we look forward to Christmas, remind us of the cry of John the Baptist: repent and prepare the way of the Lord. Help us to be dissatisfied with our limited and weak devotion to you and to your kingdom. Kindle within us a renewed spirit, so that the crooked and rough places of our lives may be made a straight highway for the gospel of your love. As we anticipate the anniversary of your incarnation, give us open hearts to receive the precious gift of your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

CHRISTMAS

O God, who in times past spoke to us through the prophets, we praise your name and give you unending thanks that you now speak to us through your Son whose birth we celebrate today. Help us to go in spirit to Bethlehem, and to hear again the proclamation of the angels: that unto us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Help us to receive him, that our broken and crippled lives may be made whole, that we may live to serve him both now and through eternity. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

O Lord our God, we ask that you forgive us for having repeatedly fallen short of our calling to serve you. In the year now past we followed too much our own desires and too little your leading. Help us to put the failures and shortcomings of the past behind us, so that with renewed spirit our prayer for the new year might echo these words:

Day by day,
Dear Lord, of you three things we pray:
To see you more clearly,
Love you more dearly,
Follow you more nearly,
Day by day.

In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

Almighty God, creator of the world, sustainer of all life, make us more aware of your presence as we begin a new year. Grant that by the power of your Spirit, the coming year may be for us the year of our Lord. So direct our hearts and minds that all aspects of our lives in this year may be our response to your revelation in Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.

LENT

O God, whose mercy is everlasting, kindle within us a vivid recollection of the trials of your Son. Give us your Spirit that we may, recalling Christ's sacrifice for us, deny ourselves and follow you, and present our bodies as a living sacrifice to you. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who was faithful even unto the cross. Amen.

PALM SUNDAY

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we raise our voices in prayer and praise, joining the children who sing "Hosanna!" As Christ rides on in majesty, we know that he rides on to die, and our joy is tempered with the knowledge that he must die for us. Help us to look to that day when all people will acknowledge him as he is, the Lord of lords. In his name we pray. Amen.

MAUNDY THURSDAY (The Evening of the Upper Room)

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, help us to enter the upper room and go to the garden in recollection of the night in which our Lord Jesus was betrayed. We give thanks that on this night of betrayal, treachery, and injustice you gave us the institution of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. We praise you that we may always enjoy your grace by receiving in faith his precious body and blood. In his name we pray, with thanksgiving. Amen.

GOOD FRIDAY

Almighty and merciful God, who desires not the death of sinners but their return to you, help us to remember why we call this day "good." We tremble at the sight of the crucifixion of Jesus. Give us strength and peace so that we may not be overcome by anguish; give us vision to behold the true glory of this sublime and matchless gift of your love. This we pray in the name of the worthy Lamb who was slain, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

EASTER

O God, who gives us hope for life because of the resurrection, we proclaim with your faithful saints in every age, "Hallelujah, Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!" We who were dead in sin are now made alive unto God, and for this we give you unending praise and thanks. We, your sons and daughters for whom death is no more, raise our voices with the psalmist: "Great is your name and greatly to be praised!" This we pray in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

ASCENSION DAY

Our Father in heaven, we rejoice this day in the return of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, to his rightful place in glory with you. We give you thanks and praise for the person and work of Jesus, who promised to prepare a place for us in heaven. Give us the grace to live our lives on earth as worthy of the Gospel: we dedicate our lives to the One who now intercedes for us at your right hand, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PENTECOST

O God, who is ever with us, we thank you for the ministry of your holy and life-giving Spirit. We thank you for sending your Spirit to comfort and guide us, to encourage and lead us. We thank you for your Spirit living in the church, giving gifts to us, your sons and daughters, that we may fully praise and serve you. We thank you for opening the way of eternal life to every race and nation, by the gift of your Spirit. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

THANKSGIVING DAY

O Lord, our creator God, we give you heartfelt thanks that you have blessed the labors of farmers and workers and that your bounty overflows for your people. Continue to bless our labors in farm, factory, office, home, and school, that our land may yield its increase, to your glory and to our well-being. Give us compassion for the hungry, and wisdom to share the bounty of your earth with all your children. In continual thanksgiving for your goodness, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER

O Lord, whose glory is in all the earth, we magnify your holy name for all our goodness to us and all mankind. We thank you that your mercy endures forever, and we will sing to you as long as we live. On this special day of prayer, we thank you that you are more willing to hear us than we are willing to pray to you. Hear the prayers we offer, and accept our praise, in Jesus' name. Amen.

SECTION THREE

PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

PRAYER FOR ECCLESIASTICAL ASSEMBLIES (1)

Our gracious and eternal God, whose faithful church is a tribute to your saving grace, bless the work we are about to do. We have come here in the confidence that you will guide, preserve, and defend your people. We claim your promises to equip, inspire, and use us for your work in this world. Though sinful and limited, we confess that our strength and our purposes are in you.
By your guiding and purifying Spirit lead our discussions to fruitful conclusions. Clarify our thought and direct our speech that your will may be done in a spirit of unity and love. Inspire us with a vision of your kingdom. May our decisions promote its coming. Deliver us from apathy to the truth of your Word so that we may work enthusiastically. May your name be honored and your church strengthened through our efforts here today.
We pray this in the name of your dear Son and our precious Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRAYER FOR ECCLESIASTICAL ASSEMBLIES (2)

Heavenly Father, our eternal and merciful God, we rejoice that it pleases you, in your unending wisdom and love, to gather to yourself a church from all people of the earth. It humbles us to know that you govern the church by using human service. Now help us, whom you have called to this office of government, to guard ourselves and to care properly for the flock which Christ has purchased with his precious blood.
We confess that in ourselves we are not capable of doing any spiritual good. Yet, as your apostolic church, we claim your blessing on our work. May it build your church and promote its health. Therefore, our faithful God and Father, we ask you to be with us. May your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth.
Remove all misunderstandings and protect us from the influence of our sinful hearts. Give us grace to accept your Word as our only guide and standard so that our efforts may bring your name glory, your people strength, and our consciences peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit, the only true God, deserves everlasting praise and glory. Amen.

PRAYER BEFORE BAPTISM

Father in heaven, We hear the words of promise, and we pray that these may now be sealed to us in this sacrament. You promise to surround your people with your love and care, and you faithfully keep your covenant. By this baptism we are reminded that you are true to your word. We praise you for your faithfulness.
We confess that we have not always been faithful. We have not served you with our full heart and mind and life; we have often been more loyal to other gods than to Christ our Lord. Nor have we always kept faith with our brothers and sisters; instead we have often put ourselves first. We ask you for your forgiveness, as assured in this sacrament.
We pray that we may be filled with the Holy Spirit. May our hearts and lives be rekindled so that we rid ourselves of spiritual dullness, and shine as lights in a dark world.
We give thanks for this baptism. May it be a constant reminder of your gift of the new life. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER BAPTISM

Our Father in heaven, We are grateful for this sacrament of your forgiveness and grace. We thank you for your covenant love shown to your people from generation to generation. We thank you for the same love shown to your people in this congregation. We thank you especially for that love shown to (names).
We pray that you will keep them under the protecting wings of your care, that they may experience Christian nurture in home and church, and that they may give their hearts and lives to your service.
Help us now as we dedicate ourselves to your service. This reminder of your faithfulness prompts us to be faithful to you. This expression of your love spurs us to renewed love for each other. We promise especially to surround (names) with our love, to uphold them in prayer, and to sustain them with our care. Amen.

A WEDDING PRAYER

We thank you, God and Father of the whole human family, for making life abound throughout your creation so that the ever-changing yet ever-returning seasons make our lives at once predictable and adventuresome. Grant the marriage of these your servants sufficient predictability that they may responsibly plan life for the future. Grant this marriage sufficient adventure that this home may be open to your work of renewal.
We thank you, Lord Jesus, for making life abound by forgiveness. When these your servants fail to be the one flesh you intend, grant them—as often as they need it—a fresh start. When their special relationship threatens to become commonplace, then change what has become commonplace into celebration, just as you changed the commonplace water of Cana into a choice wedding wine.
We thank you, Holy Spirit, for making life abound in your church, where you perpetually renew the marriage bond between Christ and his bride. Grant perpetual renewal to this couple. May their love for each other be fired with love for you. Oppose with Pentecostal wind whatever in this marriage opposes you. And loosen the tongues of bride and groom that what ought to be said, in love of each other and love of you, may not be left unsaid.
Take this family into your family, the church. And may this bride and groom and all the children given to them, O triune God, celebrate forever the marriage supper of the Lamb in the family of heaven. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY

We thank you, our Father, for the blessings of home life: For a place in which we may increase our joys by sharing, and strengthen our characters by caring for each other; for a center in which we may support others in life's high duties, and for the enriching experiences of loving and being loved, providing and being provided for.
As you are the creator and keeper of the home, empower us to fulfill with pure and constant affection the vows of marriage, to obey our parents, and to maintain family unity and honor.
Especially we pray for those who have left the family circle; keep them evermore in your household of faith.
We thank you for those who have lived before us; may we leave our sons and daughters a heritage in your covenant as we have received blessings from our forebears.
For the lonely, the homeless, and all who experience distress in the family, we implore the comforting ministry of your Holy Spirit.*
In the name of him who is the head of the home, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

*Amendment: Revised; original wording: For the lonely, for the widows and widowers, Or orphans and all the homeless. (Article 83, Section I, C. 2, a)

PRAYER FOR EDUCATION

Lord God, creator of our minds, source of all truth, end of all learning, we thank you for the gift of knowledge.
We adore you as we contemplate the wonders we see revealed both in your Word and in your creation.
For science and history, for the arts and our understanding of self and neighbor, we thank you.
But we thank you especially for that knowledge of you which is ours in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Bless all those who teach in public and Christian schools.
Open the minds of all peoples to receive and understand truth in the light of your Word.
Safeguard the freedom of Christian education, and use it as a force for righteousness, justice, and virtue.
We thank you, eternal Father, for the glad assurance that we shall some day know fully as we are fully known.
Hear us in the name of him whom to know is life eternal. Amen.

PRAYER FOR LABOR, INDUSTRY, AND AGRICULTURE

We praise you, Creator of heaven and earth, and all things in them, for your vast and beautiful creation.
We extol you as provider and sustainer of us all. You are the God of the open hand, by which we become the people of the overflowing cup, and we praise your name.
We thank you also for giving us work to do, and strength to do it.
You have called us to diligence; give us the enthusiasm to be faithful at work.
Give us to see the dignity and nobility of honest work faithfully done in your name.
Make us faithful stewards of the resources of your creation.
To those who work in fields and orchards of the land, give a glad harvest.
To those in shops, factories, and offices, grant a Christian spirit between management and labor, and your blessing upon our products and services.
To those who promote industry and organize enterprise, grant the gifts of responsible leadership, integrity, and concern for the welfare of all people.
To you we dedicate all the abundance of the fields, the products of industry, and the efforts of heart and mind in your service.
May your glorious kingdom come through our daily work.
Remember in your grace also those who have no work, and those who cannot work. May their lives be valuable and constructive in ways opened by you.
In the name of him for whose sake we do all things. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE DISTRESSED AND SUFFERING

Lord Jesus, compassionate Savior, have mercy upon all who suffer.
To the ill in body and mind, be the great physician.
To the grieving, be the understanding comforter.
*To the lonely and to those who are alone, be the reassuring companion.
To the slandered, be vindication.
To the prisoner, the liberator from all sin and wrong.
To the wanderer, the light by which to walk.
Be the solace of the widowed, the provider for the orphan, and to those alone, the friend closer than a brother.
We praise you, Lord Jesus, for your fullness by which our emptiness may be replenished.
May we and all who suffer always find in you every need supplied, every day sanctified by your presence, and every experience enriched as we live in you.
In your love and mercy. Amen.

*Amendment: Addition. . .and to those who are alone, (Article 83, I, C, 2, b)

PRAYER FOR GOVERNMENT

Lord Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, give the nations a spirit of obedience to your Word.
Rule over all, that your glorious kingdom may come.
Grant peace and justice among the nations of the world.
May all governments, both of state and province, nations and world, acknowledge that they are ordained by you.
Give to the world great statesmen, law-abiding citizens, honest courts, and impartial police.
Give wisdom and good judgment to those who shape the affairs of the nations.
And may the truth and light of your Word ever guide us all.
We pray for the peace and security which the coming of your kingdom brings.
In the royal name that is above every name. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

For your worldwide church we thank you, Jesus.
For a church so holy she may bear your own name, so protected that hell's gates cannot prevail against her, so devoted that her sons and daughters are evangelizing all the world, so warm in faith, hope, and love that to belong to her is a foretaste of heaven, we thank you, Lord Jesus.
You have called us to be members of her; may our membership be alive and enriching.
You have entrusted to her your Word and sacraments; may she ever keep that sacred trust.
To her you have given the gifts and ministry of your Spirit; may she ever use them to your glory and the salvation of all peoples.
You have given her a fellowship and the inheritance of the saints in light; sustain her in keeping these gifts.
Lord Jesus, keep your church pure: ever diligent in service to the needy, ever faithful in her great commission, ever upholding those who stumble, ever receiving those who repent, ever watching and praying for your return in glory.
In times of persecution, keep her faithful; in times of prosperity, humble; in times of crisis, steadfast.
To the glory of your name as her head and king. Amen.