August 1

JOHN SCOTUS ERIGENA

OTHOU, who art the everlasting essence of things, beyond space and time, and yet within them; Thou who transcendest yet pervadest all things, manifest thyself unto us, feeling after Thee, and seeking Thee in the shades of ignorance. Stretch forth Thy hand to help us, who cannot without Thee come to Thee; and reveal Thyself unto us who seek nothing beside Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the Liturgy of the Coptic Jacobites

Let us give thanks unto the doer of good, and the merciful God, the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; For He hath sheltered us, He hath succoured us, He hath kept us, He hath redeemed us unto Himself, He hath spared us, He hath helped us, He hath brought us to this hour. Let us therefore pray Him that He keep us this day, and all the days of our life, in peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

OUR HELPER

Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord.

I LOOK to Thee in every need, And never look in vain;

I feel Thy strong and tender love, And all is well again:

The thought of Thee is mightier far Than sin and pain and sorrow are.

Discouraged in the work of life, Disheartened by its load,

Shamed by its failures or its fears, I sink beside the road;

But let me only think of Thee,

And then new heart springs up in me.

Thy calmness bends serene above, My restlessness to fill,

Around me flows Thy quickening life, To nerve my faltering will,

Thy presence fills my solitude;

Thy providence turns all to good.

Embosomed deep in Thy dear love, Held in Thy law, I stand;

Thy hand in all things I behold, And all things in Thy hand;

Thou leadest me by unsought ways, And turn'st my mourning into praise.