William Laud, Archbishop and Martyr
The collect for today, the commemoration of William Laud (1573-1645), Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr (source):
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like thy servant William Laud, we may live in thy fear, die in thy favor, and rest in thy peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
The Epistle: Hebrews 12:5-7,11-14
The Gospel: St. Matthew 10:32-39
A Prayer for the Church by William Laud:
Gracious Father, I humbly beseech thee for Thy holy Catholic Church, fill it with all truth; in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purge it; where it is in error, direct it; where it is superstitious, rectify it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right strengthen and confirm it, where it is in want, furnish it; where it is divided and rent asunder, make up the breaches of it; O Thou Holy One of Israel. Amen.
Source: Give Us Grace: An Anthology of Anglican Prayers, compiled by Christopher L. Webber, (Anglican Book Centre, Toronto, 2004), p. 55.
Artwork: William Laud, stained glass, Chester Cathedral, Chester, England.