(Above image by Sketchepedia on Freepik)
PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK 2nd-7th DECEMBER
Lord God, our hearts are full of praise and thanks for your promise. Protect us and bless us. Bless our land and all those appointed to govern. May your Spirit be with them so that they may carry out your will. Amen
We pray for the needs of this world. Let there be peaceful agreements between warring nations, a more just division of the riches of the earth and a more compassionate treatment of each other’s wounds and needs. We especially pray for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. We pray for your protection of all those who serve in our own armed forces, and we thank you for their commitment to defend our freedom. God of peace, we ask that you watch over everyone and keep them safe. We pray for all who are suffering the after-effects of disaster, both natural and man-made. Give them strength as they work to rebuild their lives. We pray that the time may be hastened when there will be peace on earth and goodwill between all people. We pray for our precious world, lent to us to nurture for a season and then to pass on in good order for generations to come. Amen
We pray for people who are suffering with illness in body, mind or spirit. We remember those on our prayer list. Grant them all comfort and strength during this week. We pray, also, for those who have died and for those who mourn. Let them feel you close to them, supporting and loving them. Help them to experience the comfort of your Holy Spirit. Amen
We pray for people in our community working or volunteering to help others. We pray for those who work in our local hospitals, care homes and day care centres . We pray, also, for the volunteers who work in the Food Bank and we ask that you be with them all and keep them safe. Amen
Lord, be with our children whilst they are at school in the week ahead. We pray you will watch over them and keep them safe. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
PRAYERS ON SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER
Lord, we surrender ourselves to your love. As we look for your coming among us this day, open our eyes to behold your presence and strengthen our hands to do your will, that the world may rejoice and give you praise. On this second Sunday of Advent, let your hope arise in our hearts. Lift our eyes up to see that you are where our hope comes from. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen
Strengthen Bishop Michael and all your Church in the service of Christ. We thank Bishop Michael for his presence this morning. Thank you for our church, the PCC and the congregation. We ask you to open wide our hearts that we may share our faith with others. Amen
Almighty God, we give you thanks for Charles your servant and our King. We thank him for his devotion to his family, nation and Commonwealth and to the Earth. We thank you for his faith in you and his love for all peoples. Amen
We pray for peace where there is conflict and remember those still suffering in Ukraine, the Middle East and other war-torn countries. We pray for your protection of all those men and women who serve in our armed forces and we thank you for their commitment to defend our freedom. Amen
Lord, be with all people across the world who are experiencing hunger. We pray especially for families in our community who are struggling to feed their children. We thank you for the volunteers who work in the local food bank and for the generous people who donate food. Amen
Gracious God, be with all NHS staff and care workers, who are caring for, protecting, and serving our community, our families and friends. We pray for the elderly and housebound individuals, who may be lonely. Grant all healthcare workers the strength to cope with long hours and challenging conditions; may your unwavering support be the pillar upon which they lean. Amen
We pray for the people on our prayer list who are suffering illness in body, mind or spirit and who are mentioned during our prayers in church. Amen
Heavenly Father, we ask for your mercy and grace for those who have passed from this life into eternity. Bring them into your loving arms and grant them peace and rest. We pray for those who are left behind, that they find comfort and hope in your presence and the promise of eternal life. Amen.
Thank you for our families. We are mindful that many families are going through difficult times or live in abusive homes. We ask for your healing touch and comfort to be upon them. Amen
We pray for our local schools. Be with teachers and other staff as they prepare for the end of term activities. We give thanks that children in this parish have the opportunity to attend school and learn. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Lord, we surrender ourselves to your love. As we look for your coming among us this day, open our eyes to behold your presence and strengthen our hands to do your will, that the world may rejoice and give you praise. On this second Sunday of Advent, let your hope arise in our hearts. Lift our eyes up to see that you are where our hope comes from. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen
Strengthen Bishop Michael and all your Church in the service of Christ. We thank Bishop Michael for his presence this morning. Thank you for our church, the PCC and the congregation. We ask you to open wide our hearts that we may share our faith with others. Amen
Almighty God, we give you thanks for Charles your servant and our King. We thank him for his devotion to his family, nation and Commonwealth and to the Earth. We thank you for his faith in you and his love for all peoples. Amen
We pray for peace where there is conflict and remember those still suffering in Ukraine, the Middle East and other war-torn countries. We pray for your protection of all those men and women who serve in our armed forces and we thank you for their commitment to defend our freedom. Amen
Lord, be with all people across the world who are experiencing hunger. We pray especially for families in our community who are struggling to feed their children. We thank you for the volunteers who work in the local food bank and for the generous people who donate food. Amen
Gracious God, be with all NHS staff and care workers, who are caring for, protecting, and serving our community, our families and friends. We pray for the elderly and housebound individuals, who may be lonely. Grant all healthcare workers the strength to cope with long hours and challenging conditions; may your unwavering support be the pillar upon which they lean. Amen
We pray for the people on our prayer list who are suffering illness in body, mind or spirit and who are mentioned during our prayers in church. Amen
Heavenly Father, we ask for your mercy and grace for those who have passed from this life into eternity. Bring them into your loving arms and grant them peace and rest. We pray for those who are left behind, that they find comfort and hope in your presence and the promise of eternal life. Amen.
Thank you for our families. We are mindful that many families are going through difficult times or live in abusive homes. We ask for your healing touch and comfort to be upon them. Amen
We pray for our local schools. Be with teachers and other staff as they prepare for the end of term activities. We give thanks that children in this parish have the opportunity to attend school and learn. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK 9th-14th DECEMBER
Lord our God, we seek your face and long to find you. May our hearts come before you in awe and trust, and may we draw strength from you. May we seek you and receive your comfort and help, for you provide strength and courage for the poor and destitute, for the suffering and the dying. Amen
We pray for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East and other war-torn countries. God of peace, we ask that you watch over everyone and keep them safe. We pray for all who are suffering the after-effects of disaster, both natural and man-made. Give them strength as they work to rebuild their lives. We pray for our precious world, lent to us to nurture for a season and then to pass on in good order for generations to come. Amen
We pray for people who are suffering with illness in body, mind or spirit. We remember those on our prayer list. Grant them all comfort and strength during this week. We pray, also, for those who have died and for those who mourn. Let them feel you close to them, supporting and loving them. Help them to experience the comfort of your Holy Spirit. Amen
We pray for people in our community working or volunteering to help others. We pray, also, for the volunteers who work in the Food Bank and we ask that you be with them all and keep them safe. Amen
Lord, be with our children whilst they are at school in the week ahead. We pray you will watch over them and keep them safe. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Lord our God, we seek your face and long to find you. May our hearts come before you in awe and trust, and may we draw strength from you. May we seek you and receive your comfort and help, for you provide strength and courage for the poor and destitute, for the suffering and the dying. Amen
We pray for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East and other war-torn countries. God of peace, we ask that you watch over everyone and keep them safe. We pray for all who are suffering the after-effects of disaster, both natural and man-made. Give them strength as they work to rebuild their lives. We pray for our precious world, lent to us to nurture for a season and then to pass on in good order for generations to come. Amen
We pray for people who are suffering with illness in body, mind or spirit. We remember those on our prayer list. Grant them all comfort and strength during this week. We pray, also, for those who have died and for those who mourn. Let them feel you close to them, supporting and loving them. Help them to experience the comfort of your Holy Spirit. Amen
We pray for people in our community working or volunteering to help others. We pray, also, for the volunteers who work in the Food Bank and we ask that you be with them all and keep them safe. Amen
Lord, be with our children whilst they are at school in the week ahead. We pray you will watch over them and keep them safe. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
PRAYER FOR ALL WHO SUFFER AS A RESULT OF WAR:
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war and ask that God may give us peace:
We pray for all of those who have died in the violence of war.
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 all peace.
And 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.”
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war and ask that God may give us peace:
We pray for all of those who have died in the violence of war.
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 all peace.
And 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.”
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.
