Prayers at Sea
Prayers that may be used at sea.
¶ During a Storm.
O Most gracious and merciful Lord God, who dwellest in heaven, but beholdest all things below; Look down on us thy servants, who in our great distress cry unto thee for help. Send forth thy word to calm the fury of the waves, which seem ready to swallow us up. Yet, O ever-blessed Father , let not the suddenness of our present extremity find us far away from thee; but may our trust in thee be stronger than our fears, though the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Give us grace, we earnestly beseech thee, that if our lives be spared, we may devote them to thy most holy service as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ; and that if this should be our last day here below, we may, through thy mercy, be received into the blessed shelter of our everlasting home. Amen.
¶ Thanksgiving after a Storm.
Confiteantur Domino. Psalm cvii.
O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
Let them offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and declare his works with rejoicing.
They that go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great waters,
These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
They mount up to the heaven; they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble; and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
¶ Collect of Thanksgiving.
O most mighty and gracious Lord God, thy loving-kindness is over all thy works, but in special manner hath been extended to us, whom thou bast so powerfully and wonderfully delivered. Thou bast showed us terrible things, and wonders in the deep; and we bless and glorify thy name for thy mercy in saving us, when we were ready to perish. Make us, we beseech thee, as truly sensible now of thy mercy, as we were then of the danger; and give us hearts always ready to express our thankfulness, not only by words, but also by our lives, in being more obedient to thy holy commandments. Bring us, O Lord, to our haven in safety, and fill us with thy Holy Spirit, that we whom thou hast saved may serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, as humble disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.