A Christian presence in every community

Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

God our Father,
you never cease the work you have begun
and prosper with your blessing all human labour:
make us wise and faithful stewards of your gifts
that we may serve the common good,
maintain the fabric of our world
and seek that justice where all may share
the good things you pour upon us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

O God, who gives each of us work to do for your sake,
Bless this plough,
Together with the machines that enable us
To do our work upon the land,
And bless all those who use them:
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prosper throughout the year
The work done on our local farms.
Bless all who work with the world's resources
And enable them to be good stewards of your creation;
Fulfil the farmer's hopes in a plentiful harvest;
Feed your people with wholesome food;
And may town and country, united in gratitude to you,
Be drawn nearer to the understanding
And true service of each other;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

'Banking scandal' prayer

Almighty and everlasting God,
creator of heaven and earth,
who sees into the secret places of our hearts:
make us aware that we stand in your presence when we think and act;
let us not tire of confessing our hidden sins and our tediously repeated failures.
Keep the light of conscience alive in us,
that we might see and love what is good,
prize integrity above success,
and do what we know to be right,
though no-one see us, but you;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

By Nigel Biggar
Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, Christ Church, Oxford
Director, McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Life
Member of MPA Council

A prayer for the people of Syria

Merciful Father, the strength of all who suffer, defender of all who trust in you, whose compassion never fails; look with mercy upon the stricken people of Syria, touch the hearts of all who oppress, that they may be open to the ways of justice and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord who suffered and died for all and who lives with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever.

Amen

A Prayer for the Diamond Jubilee

The following Prayer, written at The Queen's direction by the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral for Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, will be used in the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 5 June. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have commended it for use throughout the Church of England. Other churches are also welcome to use this prayer.

God of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise
that you have blessed this Nation, the Realms and Territories
with Elizabeth
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love and joy and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands and peoples,
and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

More prayers and liturgical resources for the Diamond Jubilee are available here

A prayer for the people of Egypt

Eternal God,
in your perfect realm
no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, and no strength known but the strength of love:
We pray that the people of Egypt
may find solace, peace and security
in love which casts out fear,
in respect which restores brokenness
and in the tranquility which heals disorder.
Amen.

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A prayer for peace in our communities

Gracious God,
We pray for peace in our communities this day.
We commit to you all who work for peace and an end to tensions,
And those who work to uphold law and justice.
We pray for an end to fear,
For comfort and support to those who suffer.
For calm in our streets and cities,
That people may go about their lives in safety and peace.
In your mercy, hear our prayers,
now and always. Amen

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Prayer for the current financial situation

Lord God, we live in disturbing days:
across the world,
prices rise,
debts increase,
markets are in turmoil,
jobs are taken away,
and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands,
and a light in the darkness;
help us receive your gift of peace,
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A prayer for peace in our world

Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of all nations,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace
and let your glory be over all the earth. Amen

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Prince William and Catherine Middleton's prayer

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

(Copyright of St James's Palace)

Amen.

Prayer for those visiting our website

Almighty and eternal God,

who created us in your own image and gave us the will to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, especially in the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

we give you thanks for the freedom of communication.

Grant, we pray you, that through our journeys in this website we may be led to charity, prayer, patience and greater understanding of each other

and that we may discern more closely, your will for your pilgrims here on earth.

To the glory of the Word made Flesh.

Amen.

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Prayers for those who mourn

O God, who brought us to birth,
and in whose arms we die,
in our grief and shock
contain and comfort us;
embrace us with your love,
give us hope in our confusion
and grace to let go into new life;
through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Father,
you know our hearts and share our sorrows.
We are hurt by our parting from those whom we loved:
when we are angry at the loss we have sustained,
when we long for words of comfort,
yet find them hard to hear,
turn our grief to truer living,
our affliction to firmer hope
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Gracious God,
surround us and all who mourn this day
with your continuing compassion.
Do not let grief overwhelm your children,
or turn them against you.
When grief seems never-ending,
take them one step at a time
along your road of death and resurrection
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Prayer for the government

Heavenly Father
source of all truth and wisdom, who knows and loves the whole creation,
watch over our nation:
that truth may prevail over distortion,
wisdom triumph over recklessness
and the concerns of every person be heard.

Lord Jesus,
who chose the way of the cross in the Garden of Gethsemane,
help us to turn our backs on self interest
and to support policies that sustain the poor, the vulnerable and the frightened people of this world.

Holy Spirit,
who brought understanding among myriad peoples and languages at Pentecost,
give to all your people a passion for peace
and inspire us to work for unity and co-operation throughout the world and in our political life together.

Amen.

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Prayers for the current financial situation

Dear God,
You know me. Don't you? I'm not just a person on a bus or a train.
I'm not just another face on CCTV; or just another login name.
I'm me, and I have stuff going on.
Love life issues; bills to pay. Egos at work to deal with; an overflowing inbox.
So please, give me strength. Guide me to focus on what's really important. And help me make the most of every moment of this new day in this new month.
Thank you.

Amen

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Prayer on being made redundant

'Redundant' - the word says it all -

'useless,

unnecessary,

without purpose,

surplus to requirements.'

Thank you, Heavenly Father, that in the middle of

the sadness,

the anger,

the uncertainty,

the pain,

I can talk to you.

Hear me as I cry out in confusion,

help me to think clearly,

and calm my soul.

As life carries on,

may I know your presence with me

each and every day.

And as I look to the future,

help me to look for fresh opportunities, for new directions.

Guide me by your Spirit,

and show me your path,

through Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

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Prayer for those remaining in the workplace

Life has changed:

colleagues have gone - redundant, out of work.

Suddenly, what seemed so secure is now so very fragile.

It's hard to know what I feel:

sadness, certainly,

guilt, almost, at still having a job to go to,

and fear of the future:

who will be next?

how will I cope with the increased pressure of work?

Lord Jesus, in the midst of this uncertainty, help me to keep going:

to work to the best of my ability,

taking each day at a time,

and taking time each day to walk with you

for you are the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

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(for prayers for those worried about debt click here)

A PRAYER SEEKING GUIDANCE

Lord God, your will is to bring hope and a future to all your people.

Trusting in your steadfast love,

we ask your guidance as we work out a household budget.

Help us to learn to let no debt remain outstanding,

except the debt to love one another,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

VERSES FROM PSALM 139

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;

you know my sitting down and my rising up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark out my journeys and my resting place

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Where can I go then from your spirit?

Or where can I flee from your presence?

If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there your hand shall lead me,

your right hand hold me fast.

A PRAYER FOR WISE FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

Lord Jesus Christ,

by taking human flesh you sanctified material things

to be a means of your grace;

grant us wisdom in our attitude to money,

and a generous heart in the use of the resources entrusted to us,

that by faithful stewardship we may glorify you. Amen.

Adapted from a prayer from the C of E Central Board of Finance

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Prayers for those worried about debt

VERSES FROM PSALM 107

Let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness

and the wonders he does for his children.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

bound fast in misery and iron.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He brought them out of darkness and out of the shadow of death,

and broke their bonds asunder.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness

and the wonders he does for his children.

For he has broken the doors of bronze

and breaks the bars of iron in pieces.

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PRAYERS FOR THOSE LIVING WITH DEBT

Father, we pray for the many who are trapped by growing burdens of debt,

who see no way out, and who despair for their future:

give them courage to tackle the problems they face,

clarity in taking decisions which will turn their situation around,

and faith that, as they cry to you in their trouble,

you will deliver them from their distress;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of power,

you are strong to save

and you never fail those who trust in you.

Keep under your protection all who suffer as a result of debt:

help them through their time of darkness,

give wisdom to all who seek to help,

and bring them to know true freedom

in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A FORM OF INTERCESSION

We pray for the Church, that it may be a compassionate community, ready to stand alongside those who suffer the burden of debt.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

We pray for those who work in government, finance and the law, that they may work towards practical solutions for the problems caused by debt.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

We pray for those individuals who, because of their debts, feel they have nowhere to turn: that they may know your presence, guidance and peace.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

We pray for those countries affected by the enormous burden of international debt: for a just and lasting solution to the problems they face.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

We pray for ourselves, that through our choices, actions and words we may daily live out our faith, and bear witness to you, the source of all good things.

Lord, in your mercy

hear our prayer.

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom,

you know our needs before we ask,

and our ignorance in asking:

have compassion on our weakness,

and give us those things

which for our unworthiness we dare not,

and for our blindness we cannot ask,

for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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READINGS

Isaiah 9:1-6; Isaiah 57:15-19; Micah 4:1-5

Psalms 40:14-17; 72:1-7; 85:8-13

Philippians 4:6-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; James 3:13-18

Matthew 5:43-end; John 14:23-29; John 15:9-17

GREETING

We meet in the presence of God

who knows our needs,

hears our cries,

feels our pain,

and heals our wounds.

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE

Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world;

its pride, its selfishness, its greed;

its evil divisions and hatreds.

Let us confess our share in what is wrong,

and our failure to seek and establish that peace

which God wills for his children.

Most merciful God,

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

we confess that we have sinned

in thought, word and deed.

We have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

In your mercy

forgive what we have been,

help us to amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be;

that we may do justly,

love mercy,

and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

May the God of love and power

forgive you and free you from your sins,

heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,

and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

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COLLECTS

Almighty Father,

whose will is to restore all things

in your beloved Son, the King of all:

govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,

and bring the families of the nations,

divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,

to be subject to his just and gentle rule;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

God, our refuge and strength,

bring near the day when wars shall cease

and poverty and pain shall end,

that earth may know the peace of heaven

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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SHORT INTERCESSION

Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,

your saving power among all peoples.

Renew your Church in holiness

and help us to serve you with joy.

Guide the leaders of this and every nation,

that justice may prevail throughout the world.

Let not the needy be forgotten,

nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Make us instruments of your peace

and let your glory be over all the earth.

Lord God,

you hold both heaven and earth in a single peace.

Let the design of your great love

shine on the waste of our anger and sorrow,

and give peace to your Church,

peace among nations,

peace in our homes,

and peace in our hearts,

in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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BLESSING

God grant to the living, grace;

to the departed, rest;

to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth, and all humankind,

peace and concord;

and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Prayers for a troubled world

GOD of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen.

A Prayer for Refugees

ALMIGHTY and merciful God,

whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;

look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,

homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief;

inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;

and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Two Prayers for Justice

ALMIGHTY God our heavenly Father,

guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth,

and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,

that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

GRANT us,

Lord God,

a vision of our land as your love would make it: a land where the weak are protected,

and none go hungry or poor;

- a land where the benefits of civilised life are shared,

and everyone can enjoy them;

- a land where different races and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect;

- a land where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.

And give us the inspiration and courage to build it,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Prayer for Mercy

LORD,

remember Christ your Son

who is peace itself and who has washed away our hatred with his blood.

Because you love all people, look with mercy on us.

Banish the violence and evil within us,

and in answer to our prayers restore tranquility and peace. Amen.

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A Prayer for the Leaders of the Nations

O GOD our heavenly Father,

whose love sets no boundaries and whose strength is in service;

grant to the leaders of the nations wisdom,

courage and insight at this time of darkness and fear.

Give to all who exercise authority determination to defend the principles of freedom,

love and tolerance,

strength to protect and safeguard the innocent and clarity of vision to guide the world into the paths of justice and peace.

This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Prayer for Reconciliation

GRACIOUS God,

ruling the earth and its people not by terror but in love;

we worship you.

We confess that too often our words hurt others and our deeds are selfish;

forgive us.

In this time of uncertainty and fear,

help us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us,

in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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