(Above image by Sketchepedia on Freepik)
PRAYERS ON SUNDAY 16th AUGUST
Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed for your disciples that they might be one, even as you are one with the Father, draw us to yourself, that in common love and obedience to you we may be united to one another, in the fellowship of the one Spirit. Amen
Heavenly Father, we pray for your Church worldwide and especially in our parish. Strengthen Bishop Michael, Bishop Tim, Revd Taiwo and all your Church in the service of Christ. Amen
We ask for your blessings upon King Charles and the Royal Family. Grant to our King and his government the guidance of your Spirit. Amen
God, you are our refuge and strength; an ever-present help in trouble. We pray for all people who are being 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
We pray for people killed in western Columbia following the recent earthquake which damaged several buildings. We think about people in Pozzuoli, Italy, where they have had some minor earthquakes this week. We are mindful of the power of volcanoes, too, especially as Mount Etna in Sicily is currently very active, as well as others in Indonesia and Guatemala. Lord, be with people in these areas and keep them safe. Amen
God of all creation, we say a special prayer about the raging wildfires across our country. We ask you to protect our homes, our communities, vulnerable land and wildlife from destruction. Merciful God, we lift up all communities facing the destructive path of wildfires. We pray the public will be proactive and not mindlessly start fires. Grant strength and safety to firefighters, bring calm to the winds, and comfort those who are displaced or afraid. Our prayers are with all people whose properties or land have been destroyed or damaged. Amen
Heavenly Father, thank you for the local food bank volunteers helping to feed people in our town. Thank you for all carers in our community, providing strength, patience and compassion to the sick, elderly and vulnerable. Amen
We pray for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit, and for people who need our prayers at this time, especially those known personally to us. 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. Amen
Loving God, we thank you for all our amazing young people who have recently received their exam results on Thursday and for those who are awaiting their GCSE results this week. We pray that they all get the grades they deserve, enabling them to pursue further or higher education courses, apprenticeships, or employment. We pray, also, for those who may not achieve the results they desire. We pray that they know their grades do not define them, only your love does. Be with all children in the parish as they continue to enjoy the school holiday. Watch over them and keep them safe. Amen
God of all creation, bring peace in our lives this week. Help us to let go of our worries and put our trust in you. Fill our hearts and minds with your peace. Whenever we feel overwhelmed and anxious, remind us that you are the calm in the storm. No matter what challenges we face this week, we know that you will be with 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 FOR THE WEEK 17th-22nd AUGUST
God of all creation, bring peace in our lives this week. Help us let go of all our worries and put our trust in you. Fill our hearts and minds with your peace. Whenever we feel overwhelmed and anxious, remind us that you are with us. Amen
We lift up to you all nations caught in the turmoil of conflict. Bring comfort to those who grieve, shelter to those who are displaced, and safety to the innocent. Pour out your peace like a healing balm, replacing despair with hope. Be with all people across the world, including in our country, who are suffering the after effects of wildfires and other disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Amen
Lord, during this busy upcoming week, help us to stay centred. Anchor our hearts in your truth through all the distractions we face. Remind us that our identity is found in you — not in our jobs, our schedules, or our achievements. You are our steady foundation, even when we are surrounded by chaos. 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.
