Litany again

During Advent (and Lent) I sub out the prayers at Vespers on Wednesday and Fridays for the Litany. In a discussion on another board a person was lamenting how "feminine" the language of the church can be - and what a turn off to the men. I almost started laughing as I was praying the Litany and thinking about the comment. Um, which gender leaps to YOUR mind?

crafts and assaults of the devil, sudden and evil death, pestilence and famine, war and bloodshed, sedition and rebellion, lightning and tempest, calamity by fire and water, everlasting death, fasting and temptation, agony and bloody sweat, cross and passion, death and burial, time of our tribulation, time of our prosperity, hour of death, day of judgment, rule and govern, true knowledge and understanding, holy living, schisms and causes of offense, the way of truth, beat down Satan under our feet, faithful laborers, those who fall, those who stand, the weakhearted and distressed, discord and strife, protection in every need, direct and defend, bless and protect, watch over and help all in danger, necessity, tribulation, protect and guide all who travel, grant all women with child, all mothers with infant children, to defend orphans and widows and provide for them; stregthen and keep all sick persons and young children, free those in bondage, forgive our enemies, slanderers persecutors, Our Father, Do not deal with us according to our sins, Almighty God, heavenly Father, You desire not the death of a sinner, graciously spare us those punishments, grant us to serve You in holiness and pureness of living.

It never struck before what a man's prayer it truly is. Not surprising, of course. Maybe when we teach our men to pray, the Litany is a great place to begin. Ask them to pray this for their family, their neighbors, their church, their country, their world.