MARINERS PRAYERS

THE PRAYER

O Eternal Lord God, who alone spreads out the heavens and rules the raging of the seas, receive into your protection all those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business on the great waters. Preserve them both in body and soul, prosper their labors with good success, in all times of danger, be their defense, and bring them to the haven where they would be, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, creator of the seas, Bless us as we assemble for this most solemn remembrance. We give you thanks for all your servants who go to sea in ships and those who have paid the supreme sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of their nation.

The passing of over 50 years has not diminished our love and gratitude for the thousands who went to sea and never returned, and for our Brother Shipmate who has gone to meet them in your loving, eternal embrace.

O Father, grant his family today, and in the days hereafter, peace and comfort in the glory of his service to his fellow man, and in the knowledge he sails with you, O Lord, our maker and protector.

It is told in the Bible that once the Lord was in the fishermen's boat and a great storm came upon them, and the fishermen feared they would drown. The Lord said to them, have faith in Me. And thus it was they had the faith to survive. This same situation was and is repeated each day at sea.

No man has ever served at sea without knowing that each day could be his last and no one would even know where at sea he lay. No man served a day at sea without the knowledge that the ship he sailed might not survive to sail another day. But no man at sea let these fears overcome him. He knew his shipmates were beside him to help stand the watch, to plot the course, and to be the family and support we all need to meet and survive another day. They were his shipmates.

As each day ended, men at sea counted their blessings of a day well done, and to mark the end of their watch, they would toll the bell, the eternal mark of the passing of time at sea.

PSALM 107  Some sailed over the ocean on ships, earning their living on the seas. They saw what the Lord can do, His wonderful acts on the sea. He calms the storm, and the waves become quiet, and he brought them safe to the Port they wanted. They must thank the Lord for his constant Love.

The Lord is my Pilot, I shall not drift. He guides me across the dark waters. He steers me in deep channels. He keeps my log. He pilots me by the star of holiness for His name's sake. Yea, though I sail 'mid the fenders and tempests of life I shall dread no danger for He is near me. His love and care shelter me. He prepares a harbor before me in the homeland of eternity. He anoints the waves with oil, my ship rides calmly. Surely sunlight and starlight shall favor me on my voyages and I will rest in the Port of our Lord forever

LUKE 8V22- 24

[22] And it came to pass on a certain day that he went into a little ship with his disciples, and he said to them: Let us go over to the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
[23] And when they were sailing, he slept; and there came down a storm of wind upon the lake, and they were filled, and were in danger.
[24] And they came and awaked him, saying: Master, we perish. But he arising, rebuked the wind and the rage of the water; and it ceased, and there was a calm.
[25] And he said to them: Where is your faith? Who being afraid, wondered, saying one to another: Who is this, (think you), that he commandeth both the winds and the sea, and they obey him?