The Great Litany (found on page 148) of the Prayer Book is the oldest part of our English liturgy. It was first published in 1544. Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer modified an earlier litany form by consolidating certain groups of petitions into single prayers with response.

A litany is a longer prayer that consists of a series of petitions or requests to God. Litanies are usually penetential in nature. Most modern Episcopalians are familiar with the Great Litany as a Lenten practice. Here at St. Clement’s our practice has been to chant the Litany as we process into church on the first Sunday of Lent.

The Great Litany can be used at any time and can be used as a stand alone service. The Litany helps us to pray broadly and deeply. It first caught my eye during COVID. One of the petitions in the Litany reads:

From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from
violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and
unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.

Until COVID this petition seemed like a reflection of life in a time before ours where sickness and disease arose suddenly and people were not unaccustomed to the perils of war. Yet in our times this petition seems more relevant than ever.

So join me, beginning Wednesday, September 3rd at 12:10pm and for Wednesday’s following as we pray this petition and many others. Together we will ask God to have mercy on us, spare us, deliver us, hear us, and to grant us his peace.