Customs and Traditions

The Naval Prayer

O Eternal Lord God,
who alone 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 a security for such as pass upon the seas upon their lawful occasions;
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;
Amen.

First published in 1662 in the Book of Common Prayer,
The Naval Prayer has remained mostly unchanged since then,
with the exception of a change to the name of the monarch ,
the change from "Empire" to "Commonwealth", a more recent
deletion of the phrase "though Jesus Christ ourt Lord near the end."