Lord, on this Sunday we seek your guidance and wisdom. May we find peace in your presence and strength for the week ahead. Bless us through your Word, and let our hearts become quiet in you. Free us from all restlessness and from the turmoil of the present age. Renew the riches of your grace in us every day. Amen
Strengthen Bishop Michael, Canon Ben and all your Church in the service of Christ. Heavenly Father, we thank you for our church and the fellowship we share. We pray for our leaders, that they may be guided by your Holy Spirit in all they do. We pray for our congregation, that we may grow in faith and serve you with joy. May our church be a beacon of light in our community, reflecting your love and grace. Amen
We pray for King Charles and the Royal Family and those who serve them. We ask for your guidance and protection for them as they carry out their duties and represent our nation. Amen
God of peace, we pray for war-torn countries across the world, especially Ukraine and the Middle East. We pray for those who are wounded or traumatised by the conflicts. We long for an end to the violence and pray for guidance for leaders to pursue peace. We pray for shelter for the displaced, and sustenance for the hungry. Lord, help those who lack basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Amen
We pray for all people who are homeless, especially in our town; grant them shelter, safety and hope. Provide for their needs and surround them with compassion. Bless the volunteers at local food banks who serve with love and kindness. We pray also for all carers in the community and ask that you strengthen their hands and encourage their hearts as they care for others. May your mercy and provision be felt by all. Amen
We pray for those suffering illness in body, mind and spirit, especially those on our prayer list. We ask for your healing touch and your comforting presence on them. May they find relief from pain and a return to health. Amen
Lord, we remember those who have died and are known only to you and we continue to pray for everyone who died in the Air India crash, including those on the ground. We pray for all families and loved ones who are grieving and experiencing loss. Bring comfort and solace to their lives and provide them with the strength they need to heal their hearts and overcome their grief. Amen
Heavenly Father, we ask for your protection over children in this parish whilst they are at school this week. Keep them safe from harm and danger and guide them in making wise decisions and choices throughout the school day. Bless all teachers in our local schools and watch over their mental and physical health during the busy weeks ahead. 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 23rd-28th JUNE
Lord, grant your peace in our hearts. Turn your eyes to the world and its sin, that something new may come for all who are deeply unhappy, groaning under the anguish of their lives. Your mercy is great, your compassion is beyond measure. Bless us and bless our nation. Amen
Lord of compassion, be with all people experiencing difficult times. Help those who are struggling financially, those suffering loneliness and those who are facing personal challenges. We pray for local organisations and individuals working to help those in need, including the local food bank volunteers and carers. Bless their efforts and provide them with the resources they need. Amen
We pray for those who are sick in body, mind or spirit this week, especially those on our prayer list. We offer their pain to you, trusting in your mercy and healing power. We remember, also, those who have died. You turn our darkness into light. We pray for those mourning the passing of their loved ones. Amen
Watch over our children during this school week; we pray you keep them safe. We thank you for the teachers in their lives. We are grateful for their dedication, patience and hard work in shaping young minds. We pray for their wisdom and guidance as they help our children learn and grow. Amen
We pray for world leaders, that they may be guided by wisdom and compassion, and that they may choose to pursue peace over conflict. May your peace be like a healing balm, bringing hope in places of despair. We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and the Middle East. 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.”
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.