(Above image by Sketchepedia on Freepik)
PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK 19th- 24th JANUARY
Lord, let this week shine with your light and overflow with blessings. We ask for your grace to go before us, your mercy to surround us, and your light to guide us. Bless the work of our hands, grant peace to our homes, and fill our hearts with hope and joy. Amen
Heavenly Father, be with all people facing illness. Comfort their pain, calm their fears, and surround them with your peace. We remember those who have died and gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. May those who sleep in Christ, find in your presence: light, happiness and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Be with all people who are hungry in the world and especially in our town. Thank you for the work of the food bank volunteers, helping to support people in need. Lord, we pray for those without shelter, asking for your protection, warmth and safety. Amen
We pray for people who are affected by conflict across the world: We pray for those who have their lost families, friends and loved ones; for those who have been displaced from their homes; for those who are cut off from key resources like food, water, and medical care and for those who are in danger. Amen
Loving Father, we give thanks for the joy of family, and the companionship of friends and neighbours. Thank you for the strength that supports us and the love that surrounds us. Amen
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. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
PRAYERS ON SUNDAY 25th JANUARY
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessing of friends, family and community. Today, we lift up the people around us. Surround them with peace, strength, and joy. Bless our time together this Sunday morning and throughout the week. Amen
Strengthen Bishop Michael, Canon Ben and all your Church in the service of Christ. We pray for your church throughout the world. Amen
Bless and protect King Charles and the Royal Family. Grant to our King and his government the guidance of your Spirit. Amen
Eternal God, in this world we live among people whose ways are different to ours, whose faiths are foreign to us, whose tongues are unintelligible to us. Help us to remember that you love all people with your great love. Help us to recognise you in the words of truth, the things of beauty and the actions of love about us. We pray for all humanity; though divided into nations and races, we are all your children. May hatred vanish, and may abiding peace fill the earth. We pray for people in war torn countries and ask you to bring comfort to the grieving, shelter to the homeless, and sustenance to the hungry. Pour out your peace like a healing balm, bringing hope in places of despair. Amen
Comfort those who are hungry and in despair. Let them feel your presence and know they are not alone. Provide them with the nourishment they need. We pray for all people around the world who are hungry and especially those in our parish. Thank you for the local food bank volunteers helping to feed people in our town. Amen
We pray for the people on our prayer list who continue to suffer illness in body, mind or spirit. We pray, also, for those who have died and may be known only to you. Help those who mourn their loved ones to experience the comfort of your Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, be with all children this week. Go with them into every classroom, sit with them in every lesson, and stand beside them in every challenge they face. Bless their minds with understanding and focus. Bless their hearts with courage and resilience. Help them to learn diligently and find joy in their tasks. Protect them from fear and anxiety. We pray for their teachers and school staff, granting them wisdom, patience, and strength to guide and nurture these young minds. Amen
We ask for clarity, direction, and courage in the week ahead. Let our thoughts, words, and actions reflect your love today and always. Amen
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. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessing of friends, family and community. Today, we lift up the people around us. Surround them with peace, strength, and joy. Bless our time together this Sunday morning and throughout the week. Amen
Strengthen Bishop Michael, Canon Ben and all your Church in the service of Christ. We pray for your church throughout the world. Amen
Bless and protect King Charles and the Royal Family. Grant to our King and his government the guidance of your Spirit. Amen
Eternal God, in this world we live among people whose ways are different to ours, whose faiths are foreign to us, whose tongues are unintelligible to us. Help us to remember that you love all people with your great love. Help us to recognise you in the words of truth, the things of beauty and the actions of love about us. We pray for all humanity; though divided into nations and races, we are all your children. May hatred vanish, and may abiding peace fill the earth. We pray for people in war torn countries and ask you to bring comfort to the grieving, shelter to the homeless, and sustenance to the hungry. Pour out your peace like a healing balm, bringing hope in places of despair. Amen
Comfort those who are hungry and in despair. Let them feel your presence and know they are not alone. Provide them with the nourishment they need. We pray for all people around the world who are hungry and especially those in our parish. Thank you for the local food bank volunteers helping to feed people in our town. Amen
We pray for the people on our prayer list who continue to suffer illness in body, mind or spirit. We pray, also, for those who have died and may be known only to you. Help those who mourn their loved ones to experience the comfort of your Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, be with all children this week. Go with them into every classroom, sit with them in every lesson, and stand beside them in every challenge they face. Bless their minds with understanding and focus. Bless their hearts with courage and resilience. Help them to learn diligently and find joy in their tasks. Protect them from fear and anxiety. We pray for their teachers and school staff, granting them wisdom, patience, and strength to guide and nurture these young minds. Amen
We ask for clarity, direction, and courage in the week ahead. Let our thoughts, words, and actions reflect your love today and always. Amen
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. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK 26th- 31st JANUARY
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity of a fresh, new week. Help us focus this week on what matters the most. Bring us clarity and a clear mind. Clear our minds of any distractions that might take our focus off you. Show us where to invest our time and energy and help us seek you first in everything we do. Amen
Heavenly Father, be with all people facing illness. Comfort their pain, calm their fears, and surround them with your peace. We remember those who have died and gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. May those who sleep in Christ, find in your presence: light, happiness and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Lord, we pray for those without shelter, and ask for your protection, warmth and safety. Be with all people who are hungry in the world and especially in our town. Thank you for the work of the food bank volunteers, helping to support people in need. Amen
We pray for people who are affected by conflict across the world. Be with those who have their lost families, friends and loved ones. Be with those who have no home or have had to move. Be with those who are cut off from food, water and medical care. We pray that you be with all those who are in danger this day. Amen
Dear God, as we step into this week, we take heart in knowing that you will take care of us. Fill our hearts and minds with your peace. Whenever we feel overwhelmed and anxious, remind us that you are the calm in the storm. Amen
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. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
PRAYERS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
On Remembrance Sunday we look back to the wars and conflicts that have troubled our world and we remember with gratitude not only those who gave their lives, but those who came back maimed and injured, many of them scarred for life. They served so that the world could be a better place and that those who followed would have a more peaceful future.
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war even today and ask that God may give us peace. We pray for all of those who have died in the violence of war, remembering those who perished in the Middle East and in Ukraine. Each one is remembered by and known to God; may God give them peace.
We pray for all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering their families, their friends and all who pray for their safe return; may God give them peace. We pray for all civilian men, women and children, whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, and we call to mind in regret the anger and hatred of humanity; may God give all peace.
We pray for all peacemakers and peacekeepers; we pray for all who seek to keep this world secure and free; may God give them all peace.
We pray for all who bear the burden and responsibility of leadership: political, military and religious; we pray that they may have the gift of wisdom and work in the search for reconciliation and peace; may God grant us all peace.
O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
PRAYERS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
On Remembrance Sunday we look back to the wars and conflicts that have troubled our world and we remember with gratitude not only those who gave their lives, but those who came back maimed and injured, many of them scarred for life. They served so that the world could be a better place and that those who followed would have a more peaceful future.
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war even today and ask that God may give us peace. We pray for all of those who have died in the violence of war, remembering those who perished in the Middle East and in Ukraine. Each one is remembered by and known to God; may God give them peace.
We pray for all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering their families, their friends and all who pray for their safe return; may God give them peace. We pray for all civilian men, women and children, whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, and we call to mind in regret the anger and hatred of humanity; may God give all peace.
We pray for all peacemakers and peacekeepers; we pray for all who seek to keep this world secure and free; may God give them all peace.
We pray for all who bear the burden and responsibility of leadership: political, military and religious; we pray that they may have the gift of wisdom and work in the search for reconciliation and peace; may God grant us all peace.
O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
A fitting end to our Remembrance Day prayers is Nelson’s Prayer:
On the morning of the battle of Trafalgar, Nelson made an entry into his journal and with it the following prayer:
“May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet. For myself individually, I commit my life to him that made me; and may His blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen.”
On the morning of the battle of Trafalgar, Nelson made an entry into his journal and with it the following prayer:
“May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet. For myself individually, I commit my life to him that made me; and may His blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen.”
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE AND RUSSIA
Lord of all the earth, be present with the people of Ukraine at this time of danger, fear, and conflict. Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail, and give to all suffering nations the freedom they desire and deserve. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Gracious God, we pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders. We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear. We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness. We pray for leaders of the world; that they will be inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ. Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine. Amen
Lord, the situation the people of Ukraine now face is not a new one. The name Ukraine translates to 'borderland' and this nation and its people have seen struggles with Russia for a century. They are a resilient people who live in a volatile area of the world that has seen regular war and upheaval. Yet Jesus walked the earth in a similar part of the world, plagued by oppression and a ruthless empire. Your word promises in Isaiah 26:3 that, “you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” We ask that the people of Ukraine may be safe and secure; that they will know not only peace on earth but your true and unwavering peace. Amen
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Lord of all the earth, be present with the people of Ukraine at this time of danger, fear, and conflict. Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail, and give to all suffering nations the freedom they desire and deserve. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Gracious God, we pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders. We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear. We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness. We pray for leaders of the world; that they will be inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ. Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine. Amen
Lord, the situation the people of Ukraine now face is not a new one. The name Ukraine translates to 'borderland' and this nation and its people have seen struggles with Russia for a century. They are a resilient people who live in a volatile area of the world that has seen regular war and upheaval. Yet Jesus walked the earth in a similar part of the world, plagued by oppression and a ruthless empire. Your word promises in Isaiah 26:3 that, “you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” We ask that the people of Ukraine may be safe and secure; that they will know not only peace on earth but your true and unwavering peace. Amen
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
