Sunday, May 27, 2007

The Royal Navy Prayer

Go forth into the world in peace: be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render no man evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 comments:

Beth said...

A favorite benediction. I especially like the part about "render[ing] no man evil for evil."

Kaitiaki said...

Beth, you may have liked the benediction you cited but the Royal Navy Prayer, which we repeated every Sunday for my 13 years in the Navy, actually goes as follows:

"O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea;
Who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end:
Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve.
Preserve us from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH, and her Dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions;
That the inhabitants of our Island may in peace and quietness serve thee our God;
And that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours;
And with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen."