Prayers for Various Occasions

Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia

Prayers for the sick and dying are to be found in Ministry with the Sick (page 677) and Ministry with the Dying (page 695).

Prayers for the bereaved are to be found in Funeral Services and Resources (page 707).

Many of the Collects will be found generally useful as occasional prayers.

An index of prayers is found on pages 838ff.

Prayers for Sunday Services

The prayers may be introduced with these or similar words.

Let us pray for the world and for the Church.

Let us pray for all people and for the Church throughout the world.

and/or

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.

In the litanies which follow, suitable responses introduced by the leader may be used at the end of each intercession. For example:

Lord, in your mercy, Let us pray to the Lord.

hear our prayer. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, hear us. For your love and goodness

Lord, hear our prayer. we give you thanks, O God.

Father, hear our prayer Let us praise the Lord

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God.

God of grace,

hear our prayer.

The intercessions may close with a suitable collect or the Lord’s Prayer.

Specific petitions may be added at appropriate places in each petition, or before, after or instead of silence.

Let us pray for the preservation of the earth.

Silence

We give thanks for the beauty and abundance of the earth. Give us and all peoples grace to live in harmony with your creation, wisdom and generosity in our use of its bounty.

Let us pray for peace and shared prosperity.

Silence

We give thanks for leaders who serve the common good. Give wisdom to those who have responsibility and authority in every land, that we may share with justice the resources of the world, and work together in trust.

Let us pray for our nation.

Silence

We give thanks for this land and the diversity of its peoples. Grant that we may so honour one another that all may be enriched by our common heritage and freed from despair, poverty and exclusion.

Let us pray for the Church and its mission.

Silence

We give thanks for the good news of salvation for all people. Strengthen us for our work in the world, empower your Church to proclaim the gospel in service, word and sacrament. Unite in the truth all who confess your name, that we may live together in love to your glory.

Let us pray for ourselves and our community.

Silence

We give thanks for the fellowship of the communities in which we live and work. We commend to your keeping ourselves and each other, our families, those with whom we work and learn, our neighbours and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another.

Let us pray for those in need.

Silence

We give thanks that you are the God who brings mercy and wholeness. Comfort and heal, we pray, all who are in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble. Give to those who care for them wisdom, patience and gentleness and, to us all, your peace.

Let us give thanks for the faithful departed.

Silence

We give you thanks for your servants in every age. Grant that we, with [N and] all your saints, may be brought to a joyful resurrection and the fulfilment of your kingdom.

After each petition, silence may be kept. Further specific petitions may be added at appropriate points in the prayers or before the response.

We pray for the peace of the world, the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority. R

We pray for the welfare of your holy Church, our Bishop N, and for all the clergy and people. R

[We pray for seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth.] R

We pray that we may share with justice the resources of the earth, and live in trust and goodwill with one another. R

We pray for the aged and the infirm, for the bereaved and the lonely, and for the sick and suffering. R

We pray for the poor and the oppressed, for prisoners and captives, and for all who care for them. R

We pray for ourselves and for each other. R

We praise you, Lord God, for the communion of saints and for the glorious hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

Particular intentions may be mentioned before this litany, or petitions added at appropriate points.

Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church;

that we all may be one in Christ.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;

that your name may be glorified by everyone.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and exercise authority in the nations of the world;

that there may be peace and justice among all.

Have compassion on those who suffer or are in grief or trouble;

that they may be delivered from their distress.

We praise you for all your saints who have entered into joy;

may we also share in your heavenly kingdom.

Particular intentions may be mentioned before this prayer but it is said without interpolation.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have taught us to pray and to give thanks for all people: Receive our prayers for the universal Church, that it may know the power of your Spirit, and that all your children may agree in the truth of your holy word and live in unity and godly love.

We pray for your servant N our bishop, [together with N our Primate and N our metropolitan], and for all other ministers of your word and sacraments, that by their life and teaching your glory may be revealed and all nations drawn to you.

Guide and prosper, we pray, those who strive for the spread of your gospel, and enlighten with your Spirit all places of work, learning and healing.

We pray for those who have authority and responsibility among the nations (especially…), that, ruling with wisdom and justice, they may promote peace and well-being in the world.

To this congregation and to all your people in their different callings give your heavenly grace, that we may hear your holy word with reverent and obedient hearts, and serve you truly all the days of our life.

In your compassion, Father, comfort and heal those who are in trouble, sorrow, need or sickness.

We praise and thank you for all your saints; [for…whom we remember at this time], and for the heroes of the faith in every generation; and we remember before you your servants who have died, praying that we may enter with them into the fullness of your unending joy.

Grant this, holy Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.