Thoughts and Prayers
GROWING IN GOD
O Lord, our God, giver of life and growth, grow in us a longing for you, that we might deepen our faith; grow in us a compassion for your world, that we might serve our neighbours; grow in us a vision for your kingdom, that we might proclaim your love.
By the power of your Spirit, and in Jesus' name.
Amen.
We pray for the Hundred River and Wainford Benefice. We ask for your strength and guidance for Revd Mark Bee and most particularly Revd Helen Kerridge at this time of her ordination as priest, and all other members of our Ministry Team as they lead and teach us. We ask for your blessing on all that we do as we seek to work together and create church communities that are welcoming to all people.
Lord Jesus, you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and to act in your name, For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out through their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising. By the Holy Spirit put your words on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted.
A Celtic Blessing for Peace by Iain Tweedale.
May you see peace in the view from the mountain
May you hear peace in the wave breaking on the shore
May you taste peace in the sweet water from the spring
May you touch peace in the lush grass of the meadow
May the peace of the divine come to dwell in your heart
Peace.
A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
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
Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
FOR THOSE CAUGHT UP IN TRAGEDY OR DISASTER
O Lord our God,
source of all goodness and love,
accept the fervent prayers of your people;
in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion
upon all who turn to you for help;
for you are gracious, O lover of souls,
and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Amen
FOR PEACE AND SAFETY AMID UNREST
O God, who would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace:
let the design of thy great love
lighten upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows:
and give peace to thy Church,
peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings,
and peace in our hearts:
through thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
FOR INTERNATIONAL UNREST
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;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
A CORONAVIRUS PRAYER
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low,
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love.
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen
A PRAYER FOR FAMILY LIFE
God of compassion,
whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth,
and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:
strengthen us in our daily living
that in joy and in sorrow
we may know the power of your presence
to bind together and to heal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
A PRAYER FOR CHILDREN
Loving God,
your Son told his disciples
to become like little children.
Lead us to work for the welfare
and protection of all young people.
May we respect their dignity
that they may flourish in life,
following the example of the same
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
FOR JUSTICE
Living God,
deliver us from a world without justice
and a future without mercy;
in your mercy, establish justice,
and in your justice, remember the mercy
revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
AT A TIME OF DESPAIR
Restless with grief and fear,
the abandoned turn to you:
in every hour of trial,
good Lord, deliver us,
O God most holy, God most strong,
whose wisdom is the cross of Christ.
Amen
FOR THE COLD AND HOMELESS
God of compassion,
your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus,
whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable
and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross:
we hold before you those who are homeless and cold
especially in this bitter weather.
Draw near and comfort them in spirit
and bless those who work to provide them
with shelter, food and friendship.
We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen
FOR THE ARMED FORCES OF THE CROWN
Heavenly Father,
we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
and give them courage to face the perils that beset them;
and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Lord God of Hosts,
stretch forth, we pray, your almighty arm
to strengthen and protect our service men and women.
Support them in times of conflict,
and in their rest and training keep them safe from all evil;
endue them with courage and loyalty;
and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen