bcp.tex

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{lettrine}
\usepackage{xparse}

% Starts an environment like this:
%
%   \begin{prayer}<<stop token>>%
%                 [extra options for lettrine]%
%                 {'sidebar' text}%
%                 [width of sidebar]
%     Dropped-text <stop token> no longer dropped
%   \end{prayer}
%
%   Will automatically drop the first letter encountered and continue
%   the lettrine until a space is encountered.
\NewDocumentEnvironment{prayer}{O{} m O{8em} m u{\endl}}{%
  \lettrine[ante={\makebox[#3][c]{\itshape\scriptsize #2.}},#1]{#4}{#5}%
}{
  \unskip
  \qquad
  \textit{Amen.}\par
}

\begin{document}
\begin{prayer}[loversize=0.1]{The Thanksgiving}
  TO our prayers, \endl O Lord, we join our unfeigned thanks for all thy mercies;
  for our being, our reaſon, and all other endowments and faculties of
  ſoul and body; for our health, friends, food, and raiment, and all
  the other comforts and conveniences of life.  Above all we adore thy
  mercy in ſending thy only Son into the world to redeem us from ſin
  and eternal death, and in giving us the knowledge and ſenſe of our
  duty towards thee.  We bleſs thee for thy patience with us,
  notwithſtanding our many and great provocations; for all the
  directions, aſſiſtances, and comforts of thy Holy Spirit; for thy
  continual care and watchful providence over us through the whole
  courſe of our lives; and particularly for the mercies and benefits
  of the paſt day: Beſecching thee to continue theſe thy bleſſings to
  us; and to give is grace to ſhow our thankfulneſs in a ſincere
  obedience to his laws through whoſe merits and interceſſion we
  received them all, thy Son our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.
\end{prayer}
\end{document}