February 9, 2018

On Prayer Book Revision (Satire)

Image result for book of common prayer

Word has it that the topic of Prayer Book Revision is back on the front burner for The Episcopal Church's decision makers. I do not wish to intrude myself in the debates, but I would like to suggest that the revision process be fully informed by changes in the world that might have some impact on the usefulness of the liturgical texts for the next several decades. It may well be worth considering including some or all of the following new forms of prayer and worship, just to keep up with the times:
  • Prayers for the Imperial Family
  • An Office in Time of Nuclear War
  • An Extraordinary Form for Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Elements other than Bread and Wine Should They No Longer Exist
  • Dedication of a Mass Grave
  • Burial of Neighborhoods by Sea (together with A Form for the Submersion of Dedicated Churches)
Also helpful would be the reintroduction of two Offices from 1892 and earlier that were unaccountably excised in the optimistic world of 1928; given the climate (atmospheric and political) both seem timely for the years to come:

  • Forms of Prayer to be Used at Sea, and
  • A Form of Prayer for the Visitation of Prisoners (including the special form for Persons under sentence of death)

I'm sure you can think of other useful liturgical items. Please make suggestions in the comments below.

Tobias

4 comments:

  1. Brother DavidFebruary 09, 2018

    That made the hair stand up on the back of my neck!

    • The Rite for the extinction of a species.
    • The Rite for the Memorial of an Indigenous People/culture/language.
    • The Rite for the redundancy of a denomination.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 09, 2018

    A Rite of Ambivalent Confession for Those So Entitled.
    A Commendation of The Souls of Daily Villains to Outer Darkness.
    Psalms for the Butthurt

    ReplyDelete
  3. GeorgeFebruary 10, 2018

    A Sign-language catechism for non-human animals (cf. Penny Patterson and Koko)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lionel DeimelFebruary 10, 2018

    Your post would be funnier were it not so poignant. It goes a bit further than my recent prayer:

    For a Troubled Nation

    God of justice and mercy, who delivered your people from the oppression of Pharaoh, protect us from greed, ignorance, and malevolence in our political leaders, and help us make our nation one of peace, liberty, and justice, in harmony with your creation and exhibiting the love of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    ReplyDelete

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