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The
Naval Prayer
O
eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out of
the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea;
who has 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
the 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 security for such as
pass on the seas upon their lawful occasion; 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
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In
Waters Deep
In oceans wastes
no poppies blow,
No crosses stand
in orders row,
There young
hearts sleep…beneath the wave…
The spirited,
the good, the brave,
But stars a
constant vigil keep,
For them who lie
beneath the deep.
'Tis true you
cannot kneel in prayer
On certain spot
and think. "He's there."
But you can to
the ocean go…
See whitecaps
marching row on row;
Know one for him
will always ride…
In and out…
with the tide.
And when your
span of life is passed,
He'll meet you
at the "Captains Mast."
And they who
mourn on distant shore
For sailors
who'll come home no more,
Can dry their
tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath
the heaving seas…
For stars that
shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps
marching row on row.
And they can
never lonely be
For when they
lived… they chose the sea.
By Eileen
Mahoney
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