Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
A Service for Marriage
FIRST ORDER
1When all are assembled in the church, with the bridegroom and the bride standing before the priest, the priest greets them all, and then says
We have come together in the sight of God for the joining in marriage of this man N and this woman N.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said of marriage that ‘From the beginning of creation God made them male and female. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.” So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let no one put asunder.’
Marriage is the symbol of God’s unending love for his people, and of the union between Christ and his Church. So Saint Paul teaches that the husband must love his wife as Christ loved the Church, and that the wife must give due honour to her husband.
Marriage should be honoured by all, and is not be to entered into lightly or carelessly, but with reverent and serious respect for those purposes for which it was instituted by God.
Marriage is a life-long union in which a man and a woman are called so to give themselves in body, mind, and spirit, and so to respond, that from their union will grow a deepening knowledge and love of each other.
In the joys and sorrows of life, in prosperity and adversity, they share their companionship, faithfulness, and strength.
In marriage a new family is established in accordance with God’s purpose, so that children may be born and nurtured in secure and loving care, for their well-being and instruction, and for the good order of society, to the glory of God.
N and N have now come here to be joined in this holy union to which God has led them. They seek God’s blessing on their life together, that they may fulfil his purpose for them; and they ask us to support them in this prayer. If anyone can show why they may not lawfully be joined in marriage, speak now, or hereafter remain in silence.
2 There being no objection lodged, the priest says to the man
N, will you have N to be your wife,
to live together according to God’s word?
Will you give her the honour
due to her as your wife
and, forsaking all others,
love and protect her,
as long as you both shall live?
The man answers
I will.
3The priest says to the woman
N, will you have N to be your husband,
to live together according to God’s word?
Will you give him the honour
due to him as your husband
and, forsaking all others,
love and protect him,
as long as you both shall live?
The woman answers
I will.
[4 The priest may ask
Who brings this woman to be married to this man?
Answer
I do.
The priest receives the woman’s right hand from her father or her friend.]
5The priest causes the man to take the woman’s right hand. The priest, together with the people, says
God our Father, in your great love
you have given us the gift of marriage;
so bless these two persons
as they pledge their lives to each other,
that their love may evermore grow
to be the true reflection of your love for us all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6The man, holding the woman’s right hand in his, says
I, N, in the presence of God,
take you N to be my wife;
to have and to hold
from this day forward,
for better for worse,
for richer for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow and promise.
7The woman, taking the man’s right hand in hers, says
I, N, in the presence of God,
take you N to be my husband;
to have and to hold
from this day forward,
for better for worse,
for richer for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love, honour and cherish,
as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow and promise.
8The priest receives the wedding ring(s) and may say
Grant, Lord that these rings may be a token and constant sign of the pledge of love and faithfulness which these two persons make to each other; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
9The man places the ring on the ring-finger of the woman, and holding it there, says
N, with this ring I wed you;
with all that I am and all that I have
I honour you;
in the name of God. Amen.
10Before they loose hands, the woman may respond
N, I receive this ring
in token of our marriage.
May God enable us to grow in love together.
11If the woman gives a ring to the man, this procedure is to be repeated appropriately.
12The man and the woman may kneel. The priest joins their right hands and says
What God has joined together
let no one put asunder.
13The priest addresses the people.
Before God and in the presence of us all,
by solemn consent and promise,
by the giving and receiving of a ring/rings,
and by the joining of hands,
N and N have now accepted each other in marriage.
In the name of God,
I declare them to be husband and wife.
14The priest addresses the husband and wife, saying
God the Father enrich you with his grace,
God the Son make you holy in his love,
God the Holy Spirit strengthen you with his joy.
The Lord bless you and keep you in eternal life.
Amen. Blessed be the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit;
one God, to be praised for ever.
15One or more passages from Scripture may be read and a sermon declaring the duties of husband and wife may be preached
here or later in the service. If no sermon is preached, Ephesians 5.20–33 at least must be read.
16This or another psalm is said or sung.
Psalm 67
God be gracious to us and bless us:
and make your face to shine upon us,
That your way may be known upon earth:
your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God:
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy:
for you judge the peoples with equity
and govern the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God:
let all the peoples praise you.
Then the earth will bring forth its increase:
and God, our own God, will bless us.
You, O God, will bless us:
and all the ends of the earth will fear you.
Glory to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
As in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
17 The priest says
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
A prayer for the blessing of eternal life
God of Abraham and Sarah,
bless these your servants
and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts,
that whatever they learn in your holy word
they may indeed fulfil.
Look in love upon them, and bless them,
that, obeying your will and secure in your protection,
they may abide in your love to their lives’ end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the blessing of children
Merciful Lord and heavenly Father,
by whose gracious gift the human race is maintained
give to N and N the blessing of children,
and grant them the wisdom and grace to bring them up
in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,
to your praise and honour;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for the blessing of mutual love and faithfulness
O God,
who by joining man and woman together
taught us from the beginning
that we should not separate what you have joined as one;
we praise you that you have consecrated the state of
matrimony to such an excellent purpose
that in it is signified the spiritual marriage and unity
between Christ and his Church.
Look mercifully on these your servants,
that this man may love his wife, according to your word,
as Christ loved his bride the Church,
and gave himself for it,
cherishing it as himself;
and that this woman may love her husband,
according to your word,
being loyal and faithful.
O Lord, bless them both,
and grant them to inherit your everlasting kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
18The priest and congregation say
Lord of the universe,
all love, strength, and understanding
come from you;
so direct and govern us in body and soul
that we may strive to live according to your word
and to do everything that is agreeable to your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
19 The priest continues
Almighty God,
who created our first parents
and sanctified and joined them together in marriage,
pour upon you the riches of his love,
sanctify and bless you,
that you may please him both in body and soul,
and live together in holy love to your lives’ end. Amen.
1 If the Holy Communion is celebrated at the time of the marriage, the marriage service should include a gospel reading.
The Lord’s Prayer should be omitted from the marriage service if it is to be said in the communion service.
¶ 18 and 19 should be omitted from the marriage service.
The communion service from the second order of Marriage should follow the prayers at ¶ 17 beginning with the Greeting of Peace.
If a confession and absolution are required, ¶ 22 and 23 from the second order of Holy Communion may precede the greeting.
2 The priest’s greeting at the beginning of the service may be given in any appropriate manner.
3 At ¶ 4, the man may be similarly presented by his family or friends.
4 Readings and hymns appropriate for a marriage are to be found on page 675. One or more passages from Scripture should be read.
5 A minister shall not solemnise a marriage if there is reason to believe that there is a legal impediment. Any person alleging an impediment on the occasion of marriage must give an indemnity against any pecuniary loss, in the event of the allegation failing, which the action brings upon the parties. If such an allegation is made and an indemnity is given, the marriage must be deferred until the truth has been tried.
6 At ¶ 16, the priest and couple may proceed during the psalm to the Holy Table for the prayers.
7 The placing of hymns or psalms and directions regarding posture, other than those noted in the rubrics of the order of service, may be determined by the priest.
8 The marriage certificates are to be signed at the conclusion of the service or after ¶ 14.
9 Where the couple are unable to have children, the prayer for the blessing of children is omitted.