Category: Bidding Prayers

That the Universal Church may witness to a higher loyalty than any nationalism, building unity and reconciliation among all the peoples of the Earth as the world continues to be be torn and wounded by war and conflict
                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

That the world’s leaders will walk the ways of peace rather than conflict;  for all those who have the courage to be Peacemakers and Prophets of Justice at the risk of their own lives; that peace with justice, freedom and security will come to all the peoples of the Middle East, Afghanistan and Cameroon and Zimbabwe; that the horror of terror will give way to peace and that the world’s conflicts will give way to reconciliation

                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

For the men and women who serve in our military forces and for all United Nations Peace-keepers; for all who serve as chaplains in the Armed Forces:  that genuine peace may be safe in their hands and that hatred and vengeance may find no echo in their hearts

                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

For the victims of the wars and violence over the years and everywhere in our world, whether in Syria or Darfur, Afghanistan or Iraq, Palestine or Israel, Rwanda or Congo, East Timor or Latin America;  for those permanently scarred by the brutality of war, for those who have lost faith in God and humanity because of ‘the pity of war’

                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

For all who work for a safe world of peace and justice for our children: the United Nations and Pax Christi, the Red Cross/Red Crescent and ‘Medicins Sans Frontier’, the Justice and Peace Commissions and the Quakers, for Amnesty International, Aid to the Church in Need and for all who struggle for the Reign of Peace

                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

For our own parish community as we seek to witness to the peace, mercy and compassion of Christ in the Inner City; for the work of Interfaith relationships with the mosques, temples and synagogues of our city … may peace be the mark of our relationships, the manner of our work, and the goal of our mission;

                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

For those injured in body or mind,  or disillusioned in spirit by war  in every land;  for the sick and hurting especially all suffering from Covid 19 and for …;
for those who have died recently, especially …, Lord Jonathan Sachs and all victims of terrorism and war including refugees who have perished fleeing to freedom;
for all the faithful departed, and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time: …
and for all who died in the too many wars that have torn at the youth of the past 100 years and more

                                                            LORD WE REMEMBER…
                [response:]                  FILL THE WORLD WITH PEACE

Mary, Mother of all Peoples and Queen of Peace, pray with us for peace and humanity on earth…
                                                           HAIL MARY…

Let us now pray the minute’s silence of Remembrance, followed by an Act of Remembrance

PRIEST:   Let us pray with faith in the Resurrection, with thankfulness for friends and family who have gone before us, and with hope of that great day when we shall all be united in the eternal love of our God

READER:   For those of our families, parish community and friends who have died in the friendship of Christ, for all in our parish’s 172 year history who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith  … may their memory inspire us to continue our Pilgrimage to God with great love and deep faith…

                                                               Let us pray to the Lord…
                  [response sung:       JESUS, REMEMBER ME…]

For all whose Funerals have been celebrated here at St Nicholas’s this past year, especially those who have died during this Covid Crisis,  that they may know eternal life and endless peace before the face of God;  for all who are recently bereaved,  as the pain is still sharp and the darkness still paralysing,  that they may be comforted…

                                                               Let us pray to the Lord…
                  [response sung:       JESUS, REMEMBER ME…]

For those who grieve the loss of the ones they love and experience the emptiness of bereavement, in particular those unable to grieve with family and friends because of Covid restrictions … may the Holy Spirit bring them consolation in the dark hours, and the touch of his love in the lonely days, until light begins to dawn…

                                                               Let us pray to the Lord…
                  [response sung:       JESUS, REMEMBER ME…]

For those who have died alone, unloved and unmourned; for all who have perished in the Mediterranean, the English Channel or in our lorry parks in the refugee journey to freedom; for the forgotten ones with no-one to pray for them and yet are so precious in the eyes of our God who never forgets one of his little ones…

                                                               Let us pray to the Lord…
                  [response sung:       JESUS, REMEMBER ME…]

That we may live truly as a people of the Resurrection, passionately in love with life, generously life-giving and valuing and protecting life from the womb to the grave…

                                                               Let us pray to the Lord…
                  [response sung:       JESUS, REMEMBER ME…]

Mary, who mourned your Crucified Son, and shared in the Life of your Risen Jesus, pray for us and all our dead…

                                                            HAIL MARY…

We pray in silence for all the departed…

PRIEST:   Lord God, well-spring of all life, hear the cry of our hearts for those we mourn, embrace them in the fire of your tender love and raise them into the fullness of Risen Life, through Your Son and our Brother Jesus, alive forever and ever…

On this Feast of Holiness,  may all God’s People respond to the Second Vatican Council’s ‘Universal Call to Holiness’, seek the face of God,  love with the heart of God,  touch the world with the compassionate mercy of God,  and challenge the world with the justice of God

                                                                COME SPIRIT OF GOD…
                                  [response]     MAKE US HOLY AND WHOLE…

On this Feast of Humanity, may the Spirit who moves where she wills, raise up people of courage and humanity among world leaders,  politicians and opinion makers,  to lead our world to peace and justice,  to challenge the culture of death; may all walk the path to holiness that is building a new vision of global co-operation and friendship, a safer planet and a healed global environment

                                                                COME SPIRIT OF GOD…
                                  [response]     MAKE US HOLY AND WHOLE…

On this Feast of the Saints,  we pray for the children and young people of our parish family – that they might be inspired by the adventure of holiness and mission, open their hearts to the Spirit’s many gifts and find their joy in serving Christ: we pray especially for the children and adults baptised and confirmed this past year

                                                                COME SPIRIT OF GOD…
                                  [response]     MAKE US HOLY AND WHOLE…

On the Feast of Wholeness,  we pray that as a parish family we will support and encourage one another to grow in all ways into Christ,  helping each other to deepen our prayer,  enlarge our loving,  find more courage in our witness and service

                                                                COME SPIRIT OF GOD…
                                  [response]     MAKE US HOLY AND WHOLE…

On this Feast of unknown and unnamed sisters and brothers who have greatly loved,  we pray that we will accept our responsibility to serve the Kingdom, to bear witness to the values of the Gospel, live in communion with creation and proclaim Jesus to the people of the Inner City by the quality of our lives and the endurance of our love as well as by the power of our words

                                                                COME SPIRIT OF GOD…
                                  [response]     MAKE US HOLY AND WHOLE…

On the Feast that celebrates all that is holy and whole,  we ask God’s guidance that the Healing Ministry might develop in our parish family and in our diocese, especially in response to the Covid pandemic; we pray for the sick and housebound and all who care for them and those who serve them with the Eucharist; and especially for …
eternal life for all who have died recently, especially … and those killed in the attack on a school in Cameroon and a church in France;
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time: …

                                                                COME SPIRIT OF GOD…
                                  [response]     MAKE US HOLY AND WHOLE…

Mary,  most holy and whole,  Mother of all the Saints, pray for us …

                                                             HAIL MARY… 

We pray in silence for one another as we walk the path of holiness together…

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind’:  that Christians everywhere will fulfil the Mission of the Gospel by offering the world the witness of lives on fire with love for God and world – a love that will shape every decision and priority

                                                              LORD WE PRAY…
                           [Response]        Make us missionaries of Your Love…

‘Love your neighbour…’:  for all who lead and govern the nations – that they will translate love for neighbour into structures and policies of caring and justice, of peace and reconciliation, and will especially listen to the cries of the Earth, the cries of the poor and vulnerable: we pray  peace for the peoples of Yemen, Cameroon and Nigeria 

                                                              LORD WE PRAY…
                           [Response]        Make us missionaries of Your Love…

‘Love yourself…’:   for the Mission of Healing love to those who do not know inner peace, for all afflicted with depression, self-hatred and harmful inner conflicts; for all who counsel and support the disturbed, and for all who care for those psychiatrically ill

                                                              LORD WE PRAY…
                           [Response]        Make us missionaries of Your Love…

‘You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt’: at the end of this One World Week, we pray for all refugees, for all fleeing war, poverty and oppression to seek safe sanctuary, for a change of Government policy to ‘the stranger among us’; for Borderlands and our mission among these our sisters and brothers here at St Nicks

                                                              LORD WE PRAY…
                           [Response]        Make us missionaries of Your Love…

‘On the commandment to love hangs the whole Law and the Prophets’:   that God will grant us all the resources we need to offer food and love to the people of the inner city especially through our Food Bank and Caritas Fund: we pray also for little Patrick Alban, baptised today and for his family

                                                              LORD WE PRAY…
                           [Response]        Make us missionaries of Your Love…

We pray healing and new beginnings for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit:  for  …
for those who have died recently, especially … and those killed in the protests in Lagos
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time, in particular …

                                                              LORD WE PRAY…
                           [Response]        Make us missionaries of Your Love…

Mary, in whose womb the Divine Love was made Flesh, pray that we may love with everything…

                                                             HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in a moment of silence…

That Christians everywhere will bear the imprint of Christ, uniting to witness that we are One World, One Family and dare to challenge the Caesars of our world who abuse their power to divide and dominate

                                     [READER]                LORD WE PRAY…
                                     [Response]             Gather us as One World…

That the diverse peoples of the our One World will struggle together to ‘re-form our future’ into one of peace and justice where all will be equal partners sharing and protecting our planet: may Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter ‘Fratelli Tutti’ provide humanity with a vision to empower us for radical change and new global relationships

                                     [READER]                LORD WE PRAY…
                                     [Response]             Gather us as One World…

As St Paul challenges us to express ‘faith in action, work for love and perseverance in hope,’ may we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our parish into a deeper love and commitment to the poor and powerless everywhere, seeking always God’s will for the Mission of our parish  

                                     [READER]                LORD WE PRAY…
                                     [Response]             Gather us as One World….

As the Covid-19 pandemic has resurged threatening many lives, we pray for wise decisions from governments and local leaders; responsible and caring action among our and all populations and strength and health for all health care workers serving the sick, the elderly and those suffering from Coronavirus

                                     [READER]                LORD WE PRAY…
                                     [Response]             Gather us as One World…

On this World Mission Sunday, we pray for the work of ‘Missio’ in supporting the Mission of Evangelisation throughout the world: we pray especially for the Missionaries to Africa at Kungoni Cultural Centre in Malawi whose mission has brought beauty and art to our church

                                     [READER]                LORD WE PRAY…
                                     [Response]             Gather us as One World…

We pray that the sick might ‘persevere through hope’ and reveal the face of Christ to us … we pray for …;
for those who have died recently, especially, … and all who have died because of Covid-19, war, conflict and hunger;
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time, in particular Bishop Xavier Muyongani of Zimbabwe, Edward and Esther Chinian, and Anna Moroz

                                     [READER]                LORD WE PRAY…
                                     [Response]             Gather us as One World…

 Mary, Mother of our One World and Prophet of Justice, pray with us and for us…
HAIL MARY …

Let us pray for the global mission of the Church in a moment of silence

‘He sent his servants to all who were invited to the Feast’ … that ‘Fratelli Tutti’, the new Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis, Servant of the Servants of God, will help the Church and world find a new vision of social friendship so as to be a new world of equality, freedom and justice, bringing hope to all the creatures of our Common Home

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

‘There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength’, writes St Paul … we pray in a world addicted to injustice and poverty, that the World’s poorest will be the world’s first priority, so that the poor will have an equal share in the Feast of the Earth’s Banquet

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

‘God will remove the mourning veil and the shroud enwrapping the nations’ … we pray urgently for an end to war, brutality and terrorism and for miracles of peace everywhere but in particular in the Yemen, Zimbabwe, the Cameroon and between Armenia and Azerbyjhan

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

All were given the wedding garment free … we pray for all whose baptism and other Sacraments have been delayed because of Covid 19; for our whole baptised community and for those journeying in Faith towards Sacraments of Initiation: may we discover the joy of living in Christ, robed with garments of holiness and moving towards the eternal feast of heaven   

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

That as a parish we will gladly go the crossroads of our inner city and fill God’s house with rich, poor, black, white, healthy, addicted, secure and disturbed – may the banquet of His Love which we celebrate here be healing and life for all

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

On this Prisons Sunday we prayer for the reform of our Penal system, for all who serve our overcrowded prison and shameful immigration detention centres, for all victims of crime and the families of prisoners: may we seek rehabilitation more than punishment

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

We pray for all the victims of the Covid Pandemic and those caring for them … we pray too for …
we that all who have died recently now enjoy the Heavenly Banquet, especially … and those killed in war, violence and famine;
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time, in particular …

                                 [READER]                      LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [Response]                   Gather all to Your Feast…

Mary of Faithful Servant and Beloved Daughter of God, pray with us for the Renewal of the Church in humility and mercy… 

HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in silence for the Church to be truly Good News to the Poor …

For the whole Church of God … that united in the love of Christ and around our Pastors Pope Francis and Bishop Declan, we will better tend the Vineyard of Christ, and yield the fruit of the Kingdom, a world made new, that many will know the Lord’s love 

                                      [READER]                        LORD WE PRAY…
                                      [Response]                      May we bear your fruit…

The Gospel today speaks of deaths motivated by power and greed … we pray for an end of war and terror in the Middle East, Yemen, Myanmar and Central Africa – that vengeance will give way to a new courage to make the peace; we pray especially for an end of the suffering of the Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar and all refugees

                                      [READER]                        LORD WE PRAY…
                                      [Response]                      May we bear your fruit…

Paul challenges us to fill our minds with everything true, noble, good and pure … we pray for ourselves, and our children and young people tempted by society to fill our minds with the demeaning, base and impure – may their young lives be shaped by their families, schools and our parish community, by all that is best in our humanity and our faith 

                                      [READER]                        LORD WE PRAY…
                                      [Response]                      May we bear your fruit…

That all the Earth’s peoples especially the poorest and all indigenous communities may taste the fruit of the Kingdom of Justice and Equality, bringing hope and development in the places of poverty; we pray especially for all working to protect our rainforests

                                      [READER]                        LORD WE PRAY…
                                      [Response]                      May we bear your fruit…

For all our politicians and leaders as this season of Party Political Conferences comes to an end, that truth may be spoken, convictions and policies openly debated, integrity be fostered – and all for the good of the whole community and not just narrow political interest 

                                      [READER]                        LORD WE PRAY…
                                      [Response]                      May we bear your fruit…

We pray for the sick, the lonely, the forgotten and hidden ones of our community, our city and our prisons … for…  
for those who have died recently especially those who have succumbed to the Covid virus all victims and famine, war and terror
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time: Lawrence Pinto

                                      [READER]                        LORD WE PRAY…
                                      [Response]                      May we bear your fruit…

Mary, Mother of the Church and of all Creation, pray with us for the Peace of the World and the healing of our Earth…

                                                                                  HAIL MARY…

We pray for other needs in a moment of silence…

PRIEST: We celebrate today Jesus, the stone rejected by us, but accepted by the Father,  the source of our life.  We, the People of God, are His precious vineyard. We are beloved of God, nurtured and pruned and cared for by God – and we are  meant to bear the fruit of dedicated love and courageous mission.  But do we bear this Fruit? Let us begin our celebration by being mindful of the ways we need to change in order to produce the fruit of Christ’s love for the world

READER:                  For the times we have rejected others,
                                       for indeed we have rejected you…

                                                              LORD HAVE MERCY…

For the ways we fill our minds and hearts with the ignoble,
                                        the untruthful, the unloving and the impure

                                                              CHRIST HAVE MERCY…

For the ways we do not produce the fruits of Christ,
do not work for the Kingdom with generous love

                                                              LORD HAVE MERCY…

PRIEST:      May the God who never rejects us wrap us in His mercy
                        May our redeeming brother Jesus clothe us in His forgiveness;
                        May the Spirit of love heal us into the freedom to love;
                       and may our God bring us all to everlasting life

                                                             AMEN!

St Paul writes, ‘Be united in your convictions and united in your love’ … for the unity of the Church in every aspect of its life: between denominations and traditions, and within individual parishes – that nothing might obscure the witness to Christ

                                   [READER]                           LORD WE PRAY…
                                   [Response]                         Form us as Your People…

For all who hold authority and power in the world … that they will recognise that they are the servants of their people, not their masters: may the spirit of the Servant Christ both challenge and inspire all politicians and those who wield the power of money or media 

                                   [READER]                           LORD WE PRAY…
                                   [Response]                         Form us as Your People…

‘Renounce your sinful ways and you will live’ … we pray for those who manipulate the money markets for their own wealth and have caused such crisis and hardship; for all who adopt terrorism and war to achieve their goals, that they will gaze with new eyes and a new heart upon their brothers and sisters whom they destroy: that we stop exploiting and abusing our ‘Common Home’ the Earth and bring healing to our planet and justice to the poor 

                                   [READER]                           LORD WE PRAY…
                                   [Response]                         Form us as Your People…

For all missionaries and the people they serve; that we as a parish will answer the call of God to go into the Vineyard of the Inner City and beyond with love and faith, listening to the cries of the poor and proclaiming Good News of liberation, bringing healing to the wounded

                                   [READER]                           LORD WE PRAY…
                                   [Response]                         Form us as Your People…

For a renewal of prayer among us so that we might raise Jesus high and honour him, Name above all names and source of love’s wisdom and energy

                                   [READER]                           LORD WE PRAY…
                                   [Response]                         Form us as Your People…

We pray for our sick and housebound brothers and sisters that they will know they are a valued part of our community and its witness …  
for those who have died recently especially all victims of war and terror
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time, in particular …

                                   [READER]                           LORD WE PRAY…
                                   [Response]                         Form us as Your People…

Mary, Mother of the Church, draw your people together in unity around your Son…
                                                                                  HAIL MARY…

Let us pray for other needs in a moment of silence …

That all God’s People will witness joyfully to the free gift of God’s love in our lives so that many more will come to know the God who gives not less than everything to all willing to receive His love into their lives

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

For the growing number of unemployed people, for those denied the right to work, for those who are exploited or discriminated against in their work place, for those denied a just and living wage, for the victims of modern slavery, trafficking 

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

For those who do not recognise the God who creates and loves them;  for those seeking meaning and hope in their lives;  for those struggling to come to Jesus Christ and find in him the key of truth in our modern unbelieving world; for God’s blessing and guidance upon our Journey of Faith group

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

For wisdom in the decision-making of our Government in the light of increased Covid infection levels; that all our people will act responsibly to protect both themselves and others, especially the vulnerable; for all health-care workers at this time

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

For our young people going to University at this time in the midst of anxiety over Coronvirus: that they might find joy and fulfilment in their life and studies despite all the restrictions placed upon them

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

That we will overcome our fears of sharing the Good News with those around us and answer the Call to Serve;  that we will continue to build a community of welcome for all inn every form of diversity;  that such love will be found among us that seekers may find their way to Christ

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

That the sick, especially victims of Covid, and the housebound might hear the Good News of healing and hope, and by their loving prayer nourish the Mission of the Church:  we pray especially for …
for those who have died recently, in particular the victims of violence, conflict and famine
for those whose anniversaries are at this time:

                                 [reader]              LORD WE PRAY…
                                 [response]        MAY ALL KNOW YOUR LOVE..                           

Let us ask Mary, Queen of Peace and kindest comforter of all who mourn, to pray with us for the Peace of our world…

Let us pray in a moment of silence…