The Great Litany

To be said or sung, kneeling, standing, or in procession; before the Eucharist or after the Collects of Morning or Evening Prayer; or separately; especially in Lent and on Rogation days.

L – O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
P – Have mercy upon us.

L – O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
P – Have mercy upon us.

L – O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
P – Have mercy upon us.

L – O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
P – Have mercy upon us.

L – Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom thou hast redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us, for ever.
P – Spare us, good Lord.

L – From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – From all blindness of heart; from pride, vain glory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word and commandment,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – From lightening and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

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

L – By the mystery of your holy Incarnation; by your holy Nativity and submission to the Law; by your Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – By your Agony and Bloody Sweat; by your Cross and Passion; by your precious Death and Burial; by your glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of your Holy Spirit,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the Day of Judgment,
P – Good Lord, deliver us.

L – We sinners do implore you to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please you to rule and govern your holy Church Universal in the right way,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to bless and keep all your people,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to send forth labourers into your harvest, and to draw all mankind into your kingdom,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive your Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to bring into the way of truth all those who have erred, and are deceived,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to give us a heart to love and fear you, and diligently to live after your commandments,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you so to rule the hearts of your servants, the President of  this nation, and all others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to show your pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to give and preserve to our use the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that in due time all may enjoy them,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which you gives us to do with singleness of heart as your servants, and for the common good,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to preserve all who are in danger by reason of their labour or their travel,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to preserve and provide for all women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by strife,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with your presence those who are failing and infirm,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to have mercy upon all mankind,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligence, and ignorance; and to endue us with the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy Word,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers and to turn their hearts,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to strengthen such as do stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted, to raise up those who fall, and finally to beat down Satan under our feet,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – That it may please you to grant that, in the fellowship of all the saints, we may attain to your heavenly kingdom,
P – We implore you to hear us, good Lord.

L – Son of God, we implore you to hear us.
P – Son of God, we implore you to hear us.

L – O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
P – Have mercy upon us.

L – O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
P – Have mercy upon us.

L – O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
P – Grant us your peace.

L – O Christ, hear us.
P – O Christ, hear us.

L – Lord, have mercy upon us.
P – Christ have mercy upon us.
L – Lord, have mercy upon us.

or

L – Kyrie Eleison.
P – Christe Eleison.
L – Kyrie Eleison.

(Source: Book of Common Prayer – Anglican)

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Author: DanutM

Anglican theologian. Former Director for Faith and Development Middle East and Eastern Europe Region of World Vision International

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