For the Right Use of Possessions (I)

Part of My Library as It Appeared on January 11, 2009

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

(The vast majority of my possessions are books.)

I have modernized, adapted, and reformatted a prayer from The Book of Common Order (1950), of The United Church of Canada.

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Lord,  you, who were rich, became poor for our sakes.

We owe all that we have

all that we are,

our being,

our well-being,

and our immortal hope

to you.

Help your servants to make pure use of wealth and this world’s good,

we pray you,

so that, prodigal of our mercy, we may ask for yours,

and that we may gain you in spending gladly for others.

You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

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The original form follows:

Lord, who for our sakes didst become poor, though thou wast rich; to whom we owe all that we have and are, being, well-being and immortal hope:  We pray thee help thy servants to make pure use of wealth and this world’s good; that prodigal of our mercy we may ask for thine, and spending gladly for others may gain thee; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit dost live and reign, one God for ever and ever.  Amen.