Eternal, Almighty, and Most Gracious God! Heaven is your throne, and earth is your footstool; holy and reverend is your name. You are praised by the heavenly hosts, and in the congregation of your saints on earth, and are glorified by all who draw near to you. We are sinful and unworthy dust; but, invited by you, we are bold, through our blessed Mediator, to present ourselves and our supplications before you.
Receive us in your grace; renew us by your Spirit; recall us to your word, and grant that we may receive it with attentive, reverent, and obedient minds. Make it to us the savor of life unto life. Cause us to be fervent in prayer, joyful in your praise, and diligent in your service. May we find that a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere, and that it is good for us to draw near to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Invocation is adapted from the Savoy Liturgy (1660) of Richard Baxter (1615-1691), composed for nonconforming Christians following the restoration of the British monarchy after the demise of the Puritan Commonwealth.