God, 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 Chosen People.
In the name of God the Creator,
God the Redeemer,
and God the Sustainer: Amen.
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and ever shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your Name
echo throughout the Universe.
The way of your justice
be followed by all the peoples of the world.
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on Earth.
With the bread that we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts that we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you dwell in the glory of the power that is love,
Now and forever. Amen.
God, you are my shepherd,
I want nothing more.
You give me green meadows,
where there is no fear, or friction in the flock,
where there are no flies or parasites to harass me;
you lead me beside restful waters,
where I cannot be swept away by the current,
water bogging down my wool until I drown.
You refresh my spirit.
You guide me to lush new pastures
that I can't overgraze, or wear ruts into,
in my sheeplike heedlessness.
Even if I'm surrounded by shadows of Death,
with ravines, and cliffs, and predators lying in wait,
I fear no danger, for you are with me.
Your rod keeps me from wandering away from you,
and your staff fends off predators —
you give me courage.
You make a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies,
and you generously spread healing oil on my head,
to keep away the flies, and to soothe my sunburn —
I am bursting with joy!
Only goodness and lovingkindness
will pursue me
all the days of my life.
and I will be a sheep in your tents, God,
world without end.
Gracious God,
Nothing in death or life,
In the world as it is or the world as it shall be,
Nothing in all creation can separate us from your love.
We commend Kay into your loving care.
Enfold her in the arms of your mercy.
Bless her in her dying and in her rising again in you.
Bless those whose hearts are filled with sadness,
That we too may know the hope of resurrection.
Go forth, Kay, on your journey from this world,
In the love of God who created you,
In the mercy of God who suffered for you,
In the power of God who keeps you in life eternal.
May you dwell this day in peace,
And rest in the presence of God. Amen.
God of all consolation,
Grant to those who sorrow
The spirit of faith and courage,
That they may have the strength to meet the days to come
With steadfastness and patience;
Not sorrowing without hope,
But trusting in your goodness. Amen.
May God be with you to defend you,
Within you to keep you,
Beside you to guard you,
And above you to bless you.
God be your comfort, your strength;
God be your hope and support;
God be your light and your way;
And the blessing of God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Giver of Life,
Remain with you now and forever. Amen.
The above translation of Psalm 23 is
by Mary W. Matthews, M.T.S., and
the Rev. Pat V. Pickett, D.Min. (Hebrew).
The rest of these prayers are based on those found in
the New Zealand Prayer Book,
with a few minor alterations here and there.
I HIGHLY recommend A New Zealand Prayer Book,
He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa,
from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia
(HarperSanFrancisco, 1989, 1997).