Evening Prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Trinity (Trinity 5), the Eighteenth Sunday in COVIDtide, and Sea Sunday

Psalm 107

They that go down to the sea in ships, / and occupy their business on the great waters;

These men see the works of the Lord, / and his wonders in the deep.

For at his word the stormy wind ariseth, / which lifteth up the waves thereof.

…

So they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, / and he delivereth them from their distress.

For he maketh the storm to cease, / so that the waves thereof are still.

On this Sea Sunday, we pray for all mariners on all seas and oceans. We pray that no matter where they are, no matter what their creed or beliefs, that God will look after them all, that they be given fair weather and winds and kept from dangers and tempest. We pray that they are guided by the example of thy servant Brendan the Navigator and they be kept in safe water by skill and faith in Christ, guided by the steady light of God, and kept from shoal waters by steadfastness. We pray for the safe return of all mariners to port and a safe return to home and family at journey’s end.

We pray for the crew, firefighters, and all those involved with the devastating fire on board USS Bonhomme Richard. May the fire be extinguished quickly and those injured have safe recovery.

We pray for all fishermen, that they may continue to harvest the fruits of the ocean and provide us with bountiful goodness.

We pray for all merchant mariners that continue to cross the oceans to continue the trade and commerce to keep this global economy functioning.

And we pray for all merchant mariners still at sea, unable to return ashore due to the many factors caused by COVID-19.

We pray for the sailors of Her Majesty’s Navies:

O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end: Be pleased to receive into thy Almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants, and the Fleet in which we serve. Preserve us from dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, and her Dominions, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Commonwealth may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that we may return in safety to enjoy the blessings of the land, with the fruits of our labours; and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.