Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
Holy Days
God spoke of old by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.
Hebrews 1.1–2
God our Father,
you gave to your incarnate Son the name of Jesus to be a sign of our salvation:
may every tongue confess
that he, who for our sake became obedient to the law,
is both Lord and Christ,
to your eternal glory;
for he now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or
Christ our brother,
in you there is neither Jew nor Gentile,
neither male nor female,
yet you received the mark of the covenant,
and took upon yourself
the precious burden of the law.
May we so accept in our bodies
our own particular struggle and promise,
that we also may break down barriers,
in your name. Amen.
Numbers 6.22–27 Psalm 8
Galatians 4.4–7 Luke 2.15–21
Exodus 3.13–15 Psalm 113 Colossians 3.12–17
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.
Luke 2.30–32
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray
that, as your only Son was presented in the temple in accordance with the law,
so we may be dedicated to you with pure and clean hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
Christ our cornerstone,
you were recognised at your presentation in the temple
as a sign of hope for the world,
but also as a stumbling-block for many:
help us so to present ourselves for your service,
that, in sharing your scandal,
we may become a people acceptable to you.
In your name we pray. Amen.
Malachi 3.1–4 Psalm 24 or Psalm 84
Hebrews 2.14–18 Luke 2.22–40
1 Samuel 1.1–20 Psalm 8 Galatians 4.1–7
Jesus said, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide.’
John 15.16
Almighty God,
who chose your faithful servant Matthias
to be numbered among the twelve apostles
in the place of Judas:
preserve your Church always from false apostles,
so that it may be guided by true and faithful pastors;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Acts 1.14–17, 20–26 Psalm 113 or Psalm 84
Philippians 3.13–21 John 15.9–17
Isaiah 66.1–4 Psalm 33 Matthew 7.15–27
I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother. O Israel, hope in the Lord, from this time on and for evermore.
Psalm 131.2–3
O God,
who from the line of your servant David
raised up the carpenter Joseph
to be the guardian of your incarnate Son
and the husband of Mary his virgin mother:
give us grace to follow Joseph’s integrity of life
and his obedience to your commands;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Samuel 7.4–16 or Joel 2.27–32 Psalm 89.19–30 or Psalm 1
Romans 4.13–22 or Ephesians 6.1–4 Matthew 1.18–25
Joel 2.27–32 Psalm 1 Ephesians 6.1–4
Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
Luke 1.38
We beseech you, O Lord,
pour your grace into our hearts,
that, as we have known the incarnation
of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought
to the glory of his resurrection;
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Isaiah 7.10–14 Psalm 40.6–13
Hebrews 10.4–10 Luke 1.26–38
1 Samuel 2.1–10 Psalm 85 Hebrews 2.5–18
Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.
Mark 16.15
Almighty God,
by the inspired witness of Mark the evangelist
you have given to your Church the gospel
of Jesus Christ your Son:
strengthen us by this saving message
that we may not be carried away
with every changing wind of doctrine
but be firmly grounded in the truth of your word;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 62.6–12 Psalm 89.1–9
Ephesians 4.7–16 or 1 Peter 5.5b–14 Mark 16.1–15 or 16–20
Isaiah 50.4–11 Psalm 19 Acts 12.25–13.13
‘Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it,’ says the Lord,
‘that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’
John 14.13
Almighty God,
whom truly to know is eternal life:
teach us to know your Son Jesus Christ
to be the way, the truth, and the life,
so that, following in the steps of your apostles
Philip and James,
we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 30.18–21 Psalm 19.1–6
1 Corinthians 15.1–8 John 14.6–14
Job 23.1–12 Psalm 27 Acts 2.37–47
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.
Acts 11.24
Generous God,
whose Son Jesus Christ has taught us
that it is more blessed to give than to receive:
help us by the example of your apostle Barnabas,
a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,
to be generous in our judgements
and unselfish in our service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Job 29.11–16 |
Psalm 98 |
|
Acts 11.22–30; 13.1–3 |
Matthew 10.7–13 |
Supplementary readings
Ecclesiastes 12.9–14
Psalm 101
Acts 4.32–37
You will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
Luke 1.76–77
Almighty God,
by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born,
and sent to prepare the way for your Son our Saviour by preaching a baptism of repentance:
make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent,
and, following his example, may constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice,
and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 49.1–6 Psalm 139.1–11
Acts 13.(16–21) 22–26 Luke 1.57–66, 80
Judges 13.2–7, 21–25 Luke 12.49–59
Peter says to Jesus, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’
John 21.17
or
‘My grace is sufficient for you,’ says the Lord, ‘for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
2 Corinthians 12.9
Almighty God,
whose apostles Peter and Paul glorified you
in their deaths as in their lives:
grant that your Church,
inspired by their teaching and example,
and knit together in unity by your Spirit,
may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or (to commemorate Peter)
Almighty God,
who by your Son Jesus Christ
gave your apostle Peter many excellent gifts,
and commanded him earnestly to feed your flock:
enable, we pray, all bishops and pastors
diligently to preach your holy word,
and your people faithfully to follow it,
that they may receive the crown of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Acts 12.1–11 or Ezekiel 34.11–16 Psalm 87 or 34.1–10
2 Timothy 4.6–8 (9–16) 17–18 John 21.15–22
Ezekiel 2.1–7 Psalm 71 Acts 9.32–43
The love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all, so that those who live might live not for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
2 Corinthians 5.14–15
Almighty God,
whose Son called Mary Magdalene to be a witness
of his resurrection:
mercifully grant that by your grace
we may be forgiven and healed,
and may know you in the power of your Son’s risen life;
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
Christ our healer,
beloved and remembered by women,
speak to the grief that makes us forget,
and the terror that makes us cling,
and give us back our name,
so that we may greet you clearly,
and proclaim your risen life. Amen.
Song of Solomon 3.1–4a Psalm 63
2 Corinthians 5.14–21 John 20.1–18
1 Samuel 16.14–23 Psalm 32 Luke 8.1–3
While we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 4.11
O gracious God,
whose apostle James left his father and all that he had,
and without delay obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ:
pour out upon the leaders of your Church
the same spirit of self-denying service
by which alone they may have true authority
among your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Jeremiah 45 Psalm 126
Acts 11.27–12.3 or 2 Corinthians 4.7–15 Matthew 20.20–28
2 Kings 1.9–15 Psalm 29 Luke 9.46–56
It is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4.6
Eternal God, our glorious King,
whose Son Jesus Christ was transfigured
on the holy mountain
and seen in splendour by his chosen witnesses:
grant us, his followers, faith to perceive his glory,
to listen to him, and to walk in his way, that we may be changed into his likeness
from glory to glory;
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Daniel 7.9–10, 13–14 Psalm 97
2 Peter 1.16–19 (20–21) Mark 9.2–10
Habakkuk 3.3–19 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.2
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as God’s children.
Galatians 4.4–5
Loving God,
who chose the blessed virgin Mary
to be the mother of your incarnate Son:
grant that we, who are redeemed by his blood,
may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
Heavenly Father,
who chose the virgin Mary, by your grace,
to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour:
fill us with your grace,
that in all things we may accept your holy will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 61.10–62.3 Luke 1.47–55 (page 11) or Psalm 113
Galatians 4.4–7 Luke 2.1–7
2 Chronicles 7.1–16 Psalm 72 John 2.1–12
Sing to the Lord, bless his name, tell his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all peoples.
Psalm 96.2–3
Almighty and everlasting God,
who gave to your apostle Bartholomew
grace to believe and to preach your word:
grant that your Church may love that word which he believed and may faithfully receive and boldly preach it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Deuteronomy 18.15–18 Psalm 145.10–18
Revelation 21.9b–14 John 1.45–51
Isaiah 43.8–13 Psalm 86 Matthew 10.1–15
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Matthew 9.13
Almighty God,
who through your Son Jesus Christ
called Matthew from the selfish pursuit of gain
to become an apostle and evangelist:
free us from all greed and love of riches
so that we may follow the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ
in the way of self-giving love;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Proverbs 3.1–6 Psalm 19.1–6
Ephesians 4.1–14 Matthew 9.9–13
Ecclesiastes 5.4–12 Psalm 25 Matthew 19.16–30
And all the angels sang, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’
Revelation 7.12
Almighty God,
you govern the courses of this world
by means too wonderful for us to comprehend:
give us reverence before the mysteries of your providence,
and grace to know the messengers of your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
Everlasting God,
you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order
the ministries of angels and mortals:
grant that, as your holy angels stand before you in heaven,
so at your command
they may help and defend us here on earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Daniel 7.9–10, 13–14 or Ezekiel 1.4–12 Psalm 138
Revelation 12.7–12a John 1.45–51
Isaiah 6.1–17 Psalm 148 Acts 12.1–11
The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; ask therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10.2
Almighty God,
who inspired your servant Luke the physician
to set forth in his gospel
the love and healing power of your Son:
graciously continue in your Church
this love and power to heal,
to the praise and glory of your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
Gracious and loving God,
you chose Luke the evangelist
to reveal in his gospel
the mystery of your love for the poor and outcast:
unite in heart and spirit all who profess your name,
and lead all nations to seek your salvation
in Jesus Christ, your Son;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jeremiah 8.22–9.3 Psalm 145.10–18
2 Timothy 4.9–17a Luke 10.1–9
Isaiah 55 Psalm 103 2 Timothy 3.10–4.8
Jesus said, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide.’
John 15.16
Almighty God,
you have built your Church
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:
we thank you for the apostles Simon and Jude,
and we pray that we may reveal your love and mercy, and being joined in unity of spirit
may grow into a holy temple, acceptable to you;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Deuteronomy 32.1–4 Psalm 19.1–6
Jude 1–3, 17–25 Luke 6.12–16
Revelation 21.9–14 Psalms 125, 126 Ephesians 2.11–22
or first Sunday in November
We praise you, heavenly Father,
that you have knit together your chosen ones
in one communion and fellowship
in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord:
give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
you have prepared for those who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
or
Eternal God,
neither death nor life can separate us from your love:
grant that we may serve you faithfully here on earth,
and in heaven rejoice with all your saints
who ceaselessly proclaim your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Year A
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5.10
Revelation 7.9–17 Psalm 34.1–10, 22
1 John 3.1–3 Matthew 5.1–12
Isaiah 65.17–25 or Sirach 44.1–15 Psalm 97 Luke 9.18–27
Year B
And a great multitude, from every nation and tribe and people and language, cried with a loud voice, saying,
‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’
Revelation 7.10
Isaiah 25.6–9 or Wisdom of Solomon 3.1–9 Psalm 24
Revelation 21.1–6a John 11.32–44
Isaiah 40.28–31 Psalm 148 Hebrews 11.32–12.2
Year C
Blessed are you when people hate and revile and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven.
Luke 6.22–23
Daniel 7.1–3, 15–18 Psalm 149
Ephesians 1.11–23 Luke 6.20–31
Deuteronomy 33.1–3 Psalm 111 Revelation 7.2–14
Appropriate selections from the readings for this day may be used for the festival of any holy person.
Andrew found his brother, told him, ‘We have found the
Messiah!’, and then brought Simon to Jesus.
John 1.41–42
Everliving God,
whose apostle Andrew heard the call of your Son
and followed, bringing his brother with him:
inspire us, like him,
to offer ourselves readily for your service
and to tell others the good news of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Deuteronomy 30.11–14 Psalm 19.1–6
Romans 10.8–18 Matthew 4.18–22
Isaiah 49.1–9a Psalm 147 John 1.35–42
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.
John 20.29
Almighty and eternal God,
who, for the firmer foundation of our faith,
allowed the apostle Thomas to doubt the resurrection of your Son
until word and sight convinced him:
grant that we, who have not seen, may also believe,
and so receive the fullness of your Son’s blessing;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Habakkuk 2.1–4 Psalm 117
Ephesians 2.19–22 John 20.24–29
Job 42.1–6 Psalm 34 1 Peter 1.3–9
The Most High does not live in houses made with hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool, says the Lord’.
Acts 7.48–49
or
Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw
the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
Acts 7.55, 58
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory,
for the example of Stephen, the first martyr,
who prayed for his persecutors,
and looked to him who was crucified,
your Son Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
2 Chronicles 24.17–22 |
Psalm 31.1–8 |
|
Acts 6.8–10; 7.54–60 |
Matthew 10.17–22 |
Supplementary readings
Exodus 18.13–26
Psalm 72
Acts 7.1–49
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.
1 John 1.1
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light,
so that we, being illumined by the teaching of John the evangelist,
may walk in the light of your truth,
and be brought to the fullness of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Proverbs 8.22–31 Psalm 97
1 John 1.1–5 John 20.2–8
Exodus 33.7–11a Psalm 74 1 John 5.1–12
O Lord our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Your glory above the heavens is sung by the mouths of babes and infants.
Psalm 8.1–2
Heavenly Father,
whose children suffered at cruel hands,
though they had done no wrong:
give us grace neither to act cruelly
nor to stand indifferently by,
but to defend the weak from the tyranny of the strong;
in the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for us,
yet is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or
God of the dispossessed, defender of the helpless,
you grieve with all the women who weep because their children are no more:
may we also refuse to be comforted
until the violence of the strong has been confounded,
and the broken victims have been set free;
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jeremiah 31.15–20 Psalm 124
1 John 1.5–2.2 Matthew 2.13–18
Genesis 37.13–20 Psalm 78.1–30 or Psalm 78.31–54 1 Peter 4.12–19
Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.
John 6.68–69
Almighty God,
who inspired Simon Peter
to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God:
keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith,
so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth
and follow the one Lord, our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Acts 15.7–11 Psalm 145.1–13
Galatians 2.7–16 Matthew 16.13–19
Acts 10.34–43 Psalm 32 John 21.15–19
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what he has entrusted to me.
2 Timothy 1.12
O God,
by the preaching of Paul your apostle
you have caused the light of the Gospel
to shine throughout the world:
grant that, as we remember his wonderful conversion, we may show ourselves thankful to you
by following his teaching;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Acts 22.3–16 or Acts 9.1–22 Psalm 117
Galatians 1.11–24 Luke 24.44–48
Joshua 5.13–15 Psalm 66.1–7 Romans 10.5–13
Bounteous God,
we give thanks for this ancient and beautiful land,
a land of despair and hope,
a land of wealth and abundant harvests,
a land of fire, drought and flood.
We pray that your Spirit may continue to move in this land
and bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and an end to all
injustice;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Deuteronomy 8.5–14a Psalm 125
Hebrews 11.8–16 Matthew 5.1–12
or
Deuteronomy 28.1–9 Psalm 145.1–9
Romans 13.1–8 Mark 12.13–17
or
Jeremiah 29.4–14 Psalm 33.12–21
1 Thessalonians 5.12–24 John 8.31–36
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116.12–13
Everlasting God,
your messengers have carried the good news of Christ
to the ends of the earth:
grant that we who commemorate
the builders of your Church in this land
may know the truth of the gospel in our hearts
and build well on the foundations they have laid;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 61.8–11 Psalm 116.11–18
Philippians 4.4–8 John 6.25–35
‘No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends,’ says the Lord, ‘if you do what I command you.’
John 14.13–14
O God, our ruler and guide,
in whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation, we give you thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land and for those who laid down their lives to defend them: We pray that we and all the people of Australia,
gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice, may have grace to live in a spirit of justice,
of generosity, and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Micah 4.1–4 or 2 Samuel 22.2–20 Psalm 46 or Psalm 51.14–19
Hebrews 10.32–11.1 or Romans 5.1–8
John 15.9–17 or John 10.1–21
31 May
Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.
Luke 1.45
Father in heaven,
by whose grace Mary was blessed among women
in bearing your incarnate Son,
and still more blessed in believing your promises
and in keeping your word:
help us, who honour the exaltation of her lowliness,
to follow her in obeying your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or
O God our deliverer,
you cast down the mighty,
and lift up those of no account:
as Elizabeth and Mary embraced
with songs of liberation,
so may we also be pregnant with your Spirit,
and affirm one another in hope for the world;
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
1 Samuel 2.1–10 Psalm 113
Romans 12.9–16b Luke 1.39–57
Ruth 4.11–17 Psalm 84 or Luke 1.47–55 (page 9) Acts 9.36–41
Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’
John 8.12
Almighty God,
you have given to the people of the Islands
of the Torres Strait
the glorious light of the gospel of Christ:
mercifully grant that we may always walk
in the light of his love,
and give us the strength and unifying power
of your Holy Spirit to spread that light
and enlarge your kingdom in the hearts of all people.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 58.8–11 Psalm 27
2 Corinthians 4.5–6 John 12.35–47
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8.35, 37
All powerful and everliving God, turn our weakness into strength:
as you gave the martyrs of Papua New Guinea the courage to suffer death for Christ,
give us the courage to live in faithful witness to you. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
Living God,
you made your Church to grow
through the zeal, courage, and unflinching witness of your servants martyred in New Guinea:
give to us and all your people
such steadfast faith in your good purposes
that we may serve faithfully
wherever you have stationed us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Zephaniah 3.14–20 Psalm 130
Romans 8.33–39 John 12.20–32
Revelation 6.9–11 |
Psalm 126 |
2 Corinthians 6.1–10 |
or Wisdom 3.1–9 |
or Psalm 116 |
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
Galatians 2.19–20
or
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6.14
Loving God,
whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
was lifted high upon the cross
so that he might draw all people to himself:
mercifully grant to us,
who glory in the mystery of our redemption,
the grace to take up our cross daily and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Numbers 21.4b–9 Psalm 78.1–2, 34–38 or Psalm 98.1–6
1 Corinthians 1.18–24 or Philippians 2.5–11 John 3.13–17
Deuteronomy 21.22–23 Psalm 98 Philippians 2.5–11
‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ says the Lord; ‘whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.’
John 11.25, 26
We thank you, loving God,
for all your servants, known to us and unknown,
who have departed this life in your faith and fear:
give us grace so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be brought to a joyful resurrection,
and be made partakers of your heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Job 14.1–14 Psalm 29 John 5.19–29
Job 19.21–27 Psalm 90 Romans 6.3–9
Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2.5
or
How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
Genesis 28:17
Bountiful God,
to whose glory we celebrate the dedication
of this house of prayer:
we praise you for the many blessings
you have given to those who worship here,
and we pray that all who seek you in this place may find you, and being filled with the Holy Spirit
may become a living temple acceptable to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 Kings 8.22–24, 27–30 Psalm 122
1 Peter 2.4–10 Matthew 7.24–29 or 21.12–16
or
Isaiah 56.1–7 or Genesis 28.10–18 Psalm 84.1–10
1 Corinthians 3.5–17 or Ephesians 2.19–22 John 2.13–22 or 4.19–24
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.
Psalm 24.1
Bountiful God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and give us the fruits of the earth in due season:
give us grateful hearts
that we may sincerely thank you
for all your loving kindness,
and truly care for your creation;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Deuteronomy 8.7–18 or Isaiah 55.1–11 Psalm 67
1 Timothy 6.6–10 (11–16) 17–19 Mark 4.26–29 or John 6.27–35
or
Genesis 1.24–31a or Deuteronomy 26.1–11 or Joel 2.21–17
2 Corinthians 9.6–12 Luke 12.15–21 or Luke 17.11–19
The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few; ask therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 9.37–38
or
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
Ephesians 4.11–13
or
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.
Luke 4.18
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in your Church:
look with mercy and favour on all who are called to serve you in the sacred ministry,
that they may faithfully serve you to the glory of your name
and the benefit of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Jeremiah 1.4–10 |
Psalm 122 |
1 Peter 4.7–11 |
Numbers 11.16–17, 24–29 |
Psalm 84.8–12 |
Acts 20.28–35 |
Numbers 27.15–23 |
1 Corinthians 3.3–11 |
Luke 12.35–43 or Luke 4.16–21 or John 4.31–38
The Thursday after Trinity Sunday and other occasions
As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11.26
or
Truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.
John 6.53, 56
O God,
in a wonderful sacrament
you have given us a memorial of the passion of your dear Son:
grant that we may so reverence
the sacred mysteries of his body and blood
that we may ever know within ourselves
the fruits of his redemption;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Exodus 24.3–8 Psalm 116
1 Corinthians 10.14–21 Mark 14.12–16 (17–21) 22–26
Exodus 16.13–17.1 (2–4) 5–6 Psalm 147 Hebrews 9.11–15
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.
2 Corinthians 5.17
or
Truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
John 3.5
God of life,
who anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son:
inspire us, who in baptism are born of water and the Spirit, to surrender our lives to your service
and to rejoice to be called your children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
Ephesians 4.3–4
or
I ask that they may all be one, Father, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17.21
O God,
whose Son Jesus Christ said to his apostles,
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you:
regard not our sins but the faith of your Church,
and grant it that peace and unity that is agreeable to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 35 Psalm 133
Ephesians 4.1–7 John 17.1–5, 20–24
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12.24
Almighty God,
who gave to your servant N
boldness to confess the name of Jesus Christ
and courage to die for this faith:
teach us always to be ready
to give a reason for the hope that is in us,
and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord and Saviour;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or
Almighty God,
by whose grace and power
your holy martyr N triumphed over suffering
and was faithful even to death:
grant that we, who now remember him/her in thanksgiving,
may be so faithful in our witness to you in this world,
that we may receive with him/her the crown of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Chronicles 24.17–22a or (in Easter) Revelation 12.10–12a Psalm 24
Romans 8.31b–39 or 1 John 5.1–5 Matthew 10.16–22 or John 15.18–21
To all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I
command you, you shall speak.
Jeremiah 1.7b
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant N, whom you called to bring the gospel
to the people of…(to the…people):
raise up in this and every land
evangelists and heralds of your loving reign,
so that the whole world may know
the unsearchable riches of our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Isaiah 52.7–10 or (in Easter) Acts 13.46–49 Psalm 96
Acts 1.1–9 Luke 10.1–9
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good tidings, who publish salvation.
Isaiah 52.7
Heavenly Father,
loving shepherd of your people,
we thank you for your servant N,
who was faithful in the care and nurture of your flock; and we pray that we may follow the good of his example and grow into the fullness of the stature
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Exodus 32.7–14 or (in Easter) Acts 20.28–36
Psalm 117 2 Corinthians 5.14–20
Matthew 23.8–12 or Luke 22.24–30 or John 21.15–17
O God, our heavenly Father,
who raised up your faithful servant N
to be a bishop in your Church
and to feed your flock:
give abundantly to all bishops and other pastors
the gifts of your Holy Spirit,
so that they may minister in your household
as true servants of Christ
and stewards of your holy mysteries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
as for a Pastor
If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8.31–32
Almighty God,
who gave to your servant N special gifts of grace
to understand and teach the truth in Christ Jesus:
grant that, enlightened by this teaching,
we may know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Kings 3.6–14 or (in Easter) Acts 13.26–33 Psalm 37.31–41
1 Corinthians 1.18–25 or 2 Timothy 4.1–5 John 17.18–23
You, Lord, are all that I have; I have promised to keep your word. I have sought your favour with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
Psalm 119.57–58
O God,
whose blessed Son became poor
so that we through his poverty might become rich:
deliver us from an inordinate love of this world,
so that, inspired by the devotion of your servant N,
we may serve you with singleness of heart,
and attain to the riches of the age to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Acts 2.42–47a Psalm 119.161–168 or Psalm 133
2 Corinthians 6.1–10 Matthew 6.24–33
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false; they will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Psalm 24.4, 5
Faithful God,
you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses:
grant that we,
encouraged by the example of your servant N,
may persevere in running the race that is set before us,
until at last with him/her we may attain to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or
O God,
by whose grace your servant N
became a burning and a shining light in your Church:
grant that we also may be aflame
with the spirit of love and discipleship,
and walk before you as children of light;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Micah 6.6–8 Psalm 15
Hebrews 12.1–2 Matthew 25.31–40
or
Wisdom 3.1–9 Psalm 34.15–22
Philippians 4.4–9 Luke 6.17–23 or Luke 10.38–42