STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power, and come among us: that we, who put our trust and confidence in thy mercy, may speedily be delivered from all our adversities; who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
A day of fasting and abstinence in the BCP.
I am somewhat obsessed with the Ember Days. In the Book of Common Prayer (1662), the Advent ember days are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after S. Lucy Day (13 December). These are listed as days of fasting and abstinence. And:
Then the Curate shall declare unto the people what Holy-days, or Fasting-days, are in the week following to be observed. And then also (if occasion be) shall notice be given of the Communion; and Briefs, Citations, and Excommunications read.
Excommunications! Wow! That would be interesting. Anyway, here is the Collect from the Book of Divine Worship (which, I think, is also the Collect in The English Missal)::
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that the coming festival of our redemption may obtain for us the comfort of thy succour in this life, and in the life to come the reward of eternal felicity; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
… no man hath quickened his own soul.
Psalm 22:30
Just wanted to share because I like the photo of me.
Father, we offer ourselves to you
APBA, Prayer after Communion
as a living sacrifice
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work for your praise and glory.
The New Life in Christ
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Sacrifice is surrendering a good for a greater good. It is the flip side of sin, choosing a lesser good over a greater good. For me, sacrifice is a part of my daily life: to always choose Jesus!
More transparency: I am pro-kneeling for prayer, especially the eucharistic prayer. The celebrant/priest is the only person who should stand during the eucharistic prayer. I think time spent on your knees is never wasted, so pray often on your knees. I love my kneeler/prie-deu for that very reason.
In an ongoing attempt to be more transparent and less censored ….
I am pro-‘ad orientem’. It is not a hill I am prepared to die on, but I think it is an option that is not discussed.
this solitary life 