The Monarch
Those in Authority
The Nations
Gd's church and
people
The Sick
Faithfulness
For all people
The bereaved
Shortness of life
Education
Harvest
Mission
Revival
Troubled Conscience
A prayer of John
Chrysostom
A general thanksgiving
Responsive petition
[1] The Monarch
O Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords,
the only ruler of princes, you look down from your throne on all who dwell
on earth: we ask you most earnestly to look favourably on our sovereign
lady, Queen Elizabeth. Fill her with your Holy Spirit so that she may love
your law and walk in your way. Give her health and strength; and grant
that after this life she may enjoy everlasting happiness in your eternal
kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, your kingdom is eternal and your power infinite: have mercy
on the whole church. Rule the heart of your servant Elizabeth, our Queen,
so that she, knowing whose minister she is, may above all things seek your
honour and glory. And grant that we and all her subjects may faithfully serve,
honour and obey her according to your word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty and eternal God, you teach us in your word that the hearts of rulers
are under your sovereign control, and that you incline and turn them according
to your godly wisdom: we humbly beseech you so to govern the heart of Elizabeth your servant, our Queen, that in all her thoughts, words and works she may
always seek your honour and glory and strive to preserve your people under
her care in prosperity, peace and godliness. Grant this, O merciful Father,
for your dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, in love you provide for your people by your power and rule over them:
be pleased to bless your servant Elizabeth our Queen so that under her this
nation may be wisely governed and your church be free to serve you in godly
quietness. And grant that she, being devoted to you with her whole heart
and persevering in good works to the end, may by your guidance come to your
eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness: we humbly beseech you to bless
your servant Queen Elizabeth and all the members of the royal family. Fill
them with your Holy Spirit; enrich them with your heavenly grace; prosper
them with all happiness; and bring them to your eternal kingdom; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[2] Those in authority
Most gracious God, we pray for the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and
Government and all elected to the Parliament and councils of this realm.
Direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of your glory,
the good of your church, and the safety, honour and welfare of the peoples
of this land; so that peace and happiness, truth and justice, faith and
godliness, may be established among us for all generations; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
[3] The nations
Lord God almighty, we rejoice that you are the sovereign Lord who rules over
all: may the nations of the world hear your voice and the peoples acknowledge
you. Banish the darkness of sin and unbelief. Break down every barrier
that stands in the way of the triumph of your Word and gospel and hasten
the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord. We ask this in his name, and to his glory. Amen.
[4] God's church and people
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels: send down your Holy
Spirit on all bishops and pastors and the congregations they serve. And,
so that we may all truly please you, pour on us the continual dew of your
blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our advocate and mediator,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
[5] The sick
O Lord, look down from heaven, and visit and relieve those who are ill. Look
upon them with mercy; comfort them; give them a sure confidence in you;
defend them from the attacks of the evil one; and keep them in perpetual
peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, you are a strong tower to all who put their trust in you: may
those who suffer find you their defence; and may they know and feel that
there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom and through
whom we may receive health and salvation, except the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and eternal God, have mercy on those who are sick. In their days
of weakness strengthen their faith, lead them to repentance, and teach them
to live the rest of their lives in your fear and to your glory, so that at
the last they may live with you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, during your earthly ministry you healed the sick: look
with favour on your servants... who are ill at this time. Give wisdom and
insight to those who care for them; and, if it be your will, restore them
to health, so that they may live to praise you for your goodness and grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, you know the cares and fears of your children: grant that
your servant N will remember that your care for your people is never in doubt;
teach him to cast all his cares on you; give him quietness of mind; and fill him with your peace which passes all understanding; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
[6] Faithfulness
Remember, O Lord, what you have worked in us and not what we deserve; and
as you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[7] For all people
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind: we humbly pray that it may
please you to reveal your ways to all people and your saving power to all
nations. In particular we pray for your church that it may be guided and
governed by your Spirit in such a way that all who profess and call themselves
Christians may be led into the way of truth and hold the faith in unity
of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. We commend
to your fatherly goodness all who are in any way afflicted or distressed
[especially...]. Be pleased, O Lord, to comfort and relieve them according
to their various needs; give them patience in their sufferings, and a happy
deliverance out of their afflictions; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[8] The bereaved
Grant, O Lord, the spirit of faith and courage to those who are bereaved
[and we pray especially for...] so that they may have strength to face
the future with steadfastness and patience. May they not sorrow as those
who have no hope; but may they be thankful for your great goodness to them
in past years; and may they look forward with joy to the glory that you
have prepared for those who love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[9] Shortness of life
Eternal and loving Lord, teach us to remember that life is short and to seek
after heavenly wisdom. Grant that, though our bodies grow weak, we may
increase in spiritual strength; so that, trusting ourselves to your care
and mercy, we may accept your will and at the last enter into the joy of
your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[10] Education
Most merciful Father, you teach us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom: we pray for all who learn and all who teach in the schools and
colleges of this parish (town, city, diocese). May those who are taught
grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, seek your will, and be made
ready to do their duty; and may those who instruct be filled with your
love so that they may set a good example to those committed to their care;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[11] Harvest
Lord God almighty, we give you thanks for all the blessings of this life;
for health and strength, for the beauty of the world, for the kindness
and love of family and friends, for opportunities of service, and for the
harvest of land and sea. Accept our praise for these your gifts, and make
us ever mindful of our dependence on you; for your Son, Jesus Christ's
sake. Amen.
Almighty God, we give you thanks and praise that you have again fulfilled
your gracious promise and given us both seedtime and harvest. Teach us to
remember that man does not live by bread alone; and lead us and all people
to feed on your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who alone is the bread of life;
for this we ask in his name and to your glory. Amen.
Heavenly Father, in your wisdom you have seen fit at this time to withhold
from us an abundant harvest of the fruits of the ground. Teach us never to
forget that you give much more than we deserve; make us truly thankful for
the many blessings that you have given; increase in us the virtues of faith,
hope and love; and enable us humbly to submit to your will; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
[12] Mission
Almighty God, you have given your Son Jesus Christ the name that is above
every name and have taught us that there is salvation in no one else. Grant
that as we and all your people rejoice in his comfort, love and peace,
we may always prove faithful by making known to the peoples of all nations
the good news of forgiveness of all sin through faith in his name; for
the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
[13] Revival
Heavenly Father, we beg you to pour out your Spirit in these days. Awaken
the unconverted and revive those who love you. Grant your people a true
vision of your glory, a renewed faithfulness to your Word, and a deeper
consecration to your service so that through their witness your kingdom
may advance and all peoples be brought to fear your holy name; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal and gracious God, slow to anger and of great kindness, have mercy
upon your faithless and backsliding people. We confess our lack of prayer
and the many imperfections of our witness and testimony. Pardon, cleanse
and restore us, we pray; and fill us with your Spirit to proclaim the gospel
of Christ to the many who have not yet been convicted of their sin and converted
to their Saviour; this we ask in his name and to his glory. Amen.
[14] Troubled conscience
Merciful Father, you hate nothing that you have made and have compassion
on all people; and you do not desire the death of sinners, but that they
should turn from their sins and be saved. In your mercy forgive us our
sins; and receive and comfort us who are wearied and troubled by them.
Spare us, good Lord, and turn your anger away from us, who meekly acknowledge
our wretchedness and truly repent of our misdoings. Be quick to strengthen
us so that we may live for you in this world and with you in the world
to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[15] A prayer from the Liturgy of John Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time to bring before you our
common supplications and have promised that when two or three are gathered
together in your name you will grant their requests. Fulfil now, O Lord,
the desires and petitions of your servants in ways that are most suitable
for us, granting us in this world knowledge of your truth and in the world
to come life everlasting. Amen.
[16] A general thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants
give you most humble and hearty thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness
to us and all mankind.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,
for the means of grace, and the hope of glory.
Give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies
that our hearts may be sincerely thankful,
so that we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you in holiness
and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
[17] For all people and for the church
throughout the world
The responses in brackets may be used
Almighty and everliving God, through the apostle Paul, you have taught us
to make prayers and supplications and to give thanks for all men. We humbly
beg that in mercy you would receive these our prayers which we offer to your
divine majesty.
[Minister: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.]
We pray that you will save and defend all Christian rulers and especially
your servant Elizabeth our Queen, so that under her we may be governed in
godliness and peace. Grant that all who exercise authority may truly and
impartially administer justice, restrain wickedness and vice, and maintain
your true religion and virtue. [In particular we pray for...]
[Minister: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.]
We ask that you would inspire continually your church with the spirit of
truth, unity, and concord and that you would teach all who confess your holy
name to agree in the truth of your holy Word and to live in unity and godly
love. Give grace, O heavenly Father to all ministers of the gospel, and especially
to N our bishop [and ...], that by their life and teaching they may set forth
your true life-giving Word and rightly administer your holy sacraments. To
all your people give your heavenly grace. And may we gathered here receive
your holy word with reverent and humble hearts, and may we serve you in holiness
and righteousness for the rest of our days.
[Minister: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.]
We most humbly beseech you, O Lord, to comfort and strengthen all those
who in this life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity; [and especially we pray for...]. And we bless your holy name for all your
servants who have died in your faith and fear. Give us grace to follow their
good examples so that with them we may inherit your eternal kingdom. Grant
this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only mediator and advocate.
[Amen.]
[Minister: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.]
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