Category: Bidding Prayers

‘This is my Beloved Son’ … that every Christian will know their dignity,  chosen to be a daughter or son of God;  that the Church will show to all the world its reverence for every human person,  and safeguard that divine dignity, challenging all the powers that abuse or  oppress…

               [reader]              WE ARE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…
[response]        FILL US WITH YOUR SPIRIT…

‘Here is my servant,  bringing true justice to the nations’… may God raise up many prophets of justice,  and servants of peace for a world divided and violent; and for a world struggling in conflict yet yearning for peace, especially throughout the Middle East, Yemen and in Central Africa …

                              WE ARE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…

‘God anointed him with the Spirit and with power’… that in this Year of Prayer, we who are re-born into Christ through Baptism will be open to the breath of the Holy Spirit gifting us with ministry and courageous love; may all our community like Jesus be empowered to serve the Kingdom of God and the growth of the Church of the Poor in our parish 

                              WE ARE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…

‘Filled with the Spirit,  Jesus went about doing good’… that our Ministry among the Homeless in our Night Shelter project, at the Wild Goose Café, the SVP, and our work with refugees and asylum-seekers through ‘Borderlands’ will bring healing and hope to the most vulnerable people of our city: we pray especially for all victims of our unjust and abusive Asylum and Benefits systems  and our trafficked and enslaved sisters and brothers…

                              WE ARE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…

‘God sent His Word to the People … the Good News  of Peace brought by Jesus Christ’ … we ask the Wisdom of God to guide our political leadership and our Members of Parliament in the crucial and far-reaching decisions they must make this coming week concerning our relationship with the European Union – may the Common Good not only of our nation but all the peoples of Europe be uppermost in their decision-making 

                              WE ARE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…

‘Because God was with him,  Jesus cured all’… that the Spirit will renew the Healing Ministry throughout the Church; we pray in particular for …
may those who have died know that eternal life that baptism brings, especially ….
and for those whose anniversaries are at this time ….

                              WE ARE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…

Mary,  bearer of the Spirit and mother of the Anointed One,  pray with us…
                               HAIL MARY…

Let us wait upon the Spirit in silence…

Seekers after wisdom followed the Light of the Star … we pray that the Christian Church will always be a light of truth and mercy to guide all in today’s world who search for the wisdom to live their lives in love

                              LORD WE PRAY…

      [response:]         GIVE US YOUR WISDOM

The Christ-Child attracted the seekers to His Light … may we place as our highest priority the proclamation of the Good News in the Power of the Spirit and so draw to Christ all who seek to build a better world: we pray especially for all in our parish family who are journeying towards Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist

                              LORD WE PRAY…

For a world scarred by war, conflict and violence, famine and oppression:  may world leaders be guided by the wisdom of God and the cries of their peoples; may they not dominate and exploit, but rather serve justice and freedom for all … we pray especially for the peoples of the Holy Land, all the Middle East and Central Africa; we pray also that wisdom might prevail and decisive steps be taken to heal our planet in the threat of catastrophic climate change

                              LORD WE PRAY…

Like the wise men of old,  may we bring our gifts to serve our parish as we seek to grow as a community of mission and prayer during this our 170th year: with generosity may we bring the gold of our love, the frankincense of our prayer and the myrrh of our willingness to sacrifice for the King

                              LORD WE PRAY…

The Wise Men, strangers bringing gifts, represent the nations coming together in Christ …. may our nation change its attitude and policies about immigration and racism, about those who come seeking safe sanctuary among us; we pray also for the 66 million refugees world-wide, particularly all those who have been trafficked in the dangerous waters of the Mediterranean and the English Channel as they seek safety, freedom and peace

                              LORD WE PRAY…

That all who care for the sick may do so with the wisdom that heals; that our elderly will be respected for their wisdom and experience; we pray for …
that the Light of Eternal love will forever shine upon all who have died recently, especially, …  and all victims of the terror and war in the Middle East;
and for all whose anniversaries are at this time,

                               LORD WE PRAY…

Mary, Morning Star and Seat of Wisdom, pray with us for our children to be baptised next week.

                                HAIL MARY… 

We pray for the deepest needs of our hearts in a moment of silence…

Mary is Mother of all Christians … we pray that the year just begun will see the whole Church journey towards visible unity in faith, service and mission, and so be a more effective sign and instrument of God’s Peace and Mercy to the world

                    [Reader]          LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

                   (response) BLESS OUR WORLD WITH PEACE

Mary is a sign of hope and humanity to the world … we pray on the threshold of our New Year that we will recognise every person as the dwelling of God; may peace and reconciliation defeat war and conflict especially throughout the Middle East and the conflict-torn parts of Africa: may justice and freedom everywhere progress, and all humanity be converted to their brothers and sisters

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary bore the Word of God to the world … we pray that in this coming Year the Churches of the Inner City will serve together in Mission to bring healing, mercy and help to our people, and find new ways to proclaim our Gospel Faith

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary opened her heart to the Divine dwelling within her and urges us to welcome as she did God’s amazing love … we pray for one another in our parish family,  that we may embrace the challenge of the God’s overshadowing Spirit to renew our inner life and growth in community

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary treasured the wonders of God in her heart … as this New Year begins, may all of us learn the art and joy of prayer more deeply and walk the life-giving paths of Silence and Contemplation

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary is a sign of wholeness and servant of healing – we pray God’s blessing and wisdom upon the healing ministry of our parish and our diocese, upon those who visit and bring the Eucharist to our sick and housebound and all who offer listening and counselling – may this Year bring to all Healing and Wholeness

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary gathers all her sorrowing children – we pray for those regions of the world afflicted by war and famine – for the grieving mothers of Yemen and Congo: may the world finally become weary of death and grow in compassion and justice, and seek to build one world shared equally and peacefully with all peoples

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary cared for both Joseph and Jesus at their dying: so the sick and the dying deserve our special care and respect – may carers, nurses, doctors and researchers treat all people and especially the elderly with dignity and with reverence for Life; may medical research serve to humanise and heal:

and for all who have died recently especially in war and conflict, and all whose anniversaries are at this time

                              LORD WE CRY TO YOU…

Mary, Mother of God, help us bring the Peace of Christ into the Year that lies before us

                              HAIL MARY… 

On the threshold of another year, we pray in silence for our world and our families…

That God’s People in every land and culture will be faithful to the call of our Baptism to be joyful witnesses of the Gospel of Love and Mercy and to heal the blindness of a world unable to believe; that we will be a people of peace building a New Civilisation of Love in this Year of Our Lord 2019

[READER]   GOD OF PEACE…

[response]  RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH

In this coming year may those unable to believe seek and find God; may those unable to commit themselves discover the joy of loving God with everything; may those who have left faith behind know again that God makes sense of all things and alone brings our truest happiness

[READER]   GOD OF PEACE…

That many may hear the call of the Spirit in this coming year to leave all things for the Joy of the Gospel, to risk their very lives if necessary to be Good News to the Poor, Prophets of Justice, Living Bread of Christ in God’s Hands to be broken and given for the Life of the World

[READER]   GOD OF PEACE…

That as the Church of the Inner City, the mission of Christ will in the Year that lies ahead come before all else; that building from our many traditions and cultures a Church united in heart and mind we will together give of ourselves generously to the work of Gospel; that the Spirit’s Courage empower us to be a community of prayer, and of welcome and protection for the refugee and those seeking safe sanctuary among us, for the homeless and the vulnerable; that the work of ‘Borderlands’ will go from strength to strength

[READER]   GOD OF PEACE…

For the families of our Christian Communities throughout this Year of 2019, that we might all embrace the call to prayer and to the mission of Christ and lead our children and young people to serve the Kingdom with a loving heart

[READER]   GOD OF PEACE…

Despite the ever-present darkness of war and conflict, may this New Year bring Peace to the peoples of the Middle East, Yemen and the Holy Land, to the Congo, Cameroon and all of Africa: that all people of faith will embrace each other in friendship helping  to end religious intolerance and to build One World, discovering that Peace and Mercy is more effective than war

[READER]   GOD OF PEACE…

Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Peace, pray with us for the peace of the world

[READER]    HAIL MARY…

We pray for God’s Blessing upon the coming Year in a moment of silence…

Jesus in the midst of the Holy Family teaches us that the Church is called to be a family of love and faith, safeguarding life and sharing compassion … may the Church always live the challenge of being family in Christ

                              LORD WE PRAY …

               [response:]    Teach us how to love …

The Holy Family of Bethlehem were homeless, persecuted, refugees and exiles … we pray for all families exiled from their homeland,  for refugees fleeing war and violence which destroy life and the respect for life, for those seeking safe asylum in our land, for the millions of unaccompanied child refugees throughout the world; we pray too for all parents forcibly separated from their partners or children: may they be protected and find peace and stability

                              LORD WE PRAY …

We pray for the work of the CCS Adoption Society, asking God’s blessing as they seek to find good and safe homes for our most vulnerable children: may the Spirit work in the hearts of many families to encourage them to consider adoptive parenthood and fostering

LORD WE PRAY …

In a world of broken relationships and shattered dreams, we dare still to believe in love: so we pray for all single parent families,  for all whose hopes for love have ended in divorce or separation,  for all children hurt by the break-up of parents … may they all experience healing and the hope of new beginnings

                              LORD WE PRAY …

We pray for all organisations that support marriage and the family, for those who offer counselling and healing for life’s wounds: for Marriage Encounter and Catholic Marriage Care, for Relate and the Association of Separated and Divorced Catholics; we pray too for all whose sexual orientation lead them to other forms of family life – may we be a Church of Mercy and Welcome bringing hope and healing to those who feel excluded by the Church

LORD WE PRAY …

The Holy Family of Nazareth reveals to us God’s school of love:  we pray for all for Christian families that they may discover Christ and risk living his ideal of faithfulness and tenderness in their homes;  we pray for all the families of our parish and throughout the City,  that we may teach each other how to be truly human

                              LORD WE PRAY …

The sick, the elderly and the dying deserve special care and respect from families and the world of medicine – may nurses, doctors and researchers treat all people with dignity and with reverence for Life; we pray for …
for those who have died recently, especially… and the victims of the Indonesian Tsunami;

and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time,  in particular …

                              LORD WE PRAY …

Mary and Joseph,  pray with us for the peace and stability of the peoples of our troubled world …

                              HAIL MARY …

We pray in a moment of silence for all the families of the world…

Jesus was born in the dark of the night,  enlightened by the glory of the angels … may Christians everywhere so love in the power of Jesus that they may give the light of hope and mercy to the world of today

                [READER:]              WORD MADE FLESH…

                [response:]               Fill our world with Peace

Jesus was born as Angels cry out for peace on earth … may peoples of every land resist all cries for war, and instead build a future of Peace:  may the Prince of Peace be with the Palestinian and Jewish peoples of the Land of Jesus’ birth; and may we bring about miracles of peace throughout the Middle East, Yemen, and Cameroon, Burundi and Congo; and among all peoples denied justice and freedom

                             WORD MADE FLESH…

Jesus was born homeless and poor in the stable … may we build a nation that ensures the dignity of decent housing and wages to every family, where there is room for the stranger, the refugee and those seeking safe asylum; may we build a world no longer divided between rich and poor; may we  build people of hope, healing and new life – we pray especially for working in refugee camps around the world this Christmas

                              WORD MADE FLESH…

Jesus was comforted and warmed by the Ox and Donkey … may we learn to be at one with our good earth and all creatures, no longer abusing our environment, but reverencing the divine creation, and healing our Mother Earth from the ravages of Climate Warming

                              WORD MADE FLESH…

Some 2000 years ago, Jesus was welcomed by the poor shepherds … may we find Jesus always in the world of the poor, discovering him as he walks the streets of our Inner City:  may the people among whom we live find in Jesus the Good News of great joy that will give new meaning and purpose to their lives

                              WORD MADE FLESH…

For the sick and housebound, for the elderly and lonely, for those struggling with terminal illness:  in particular for those who are isolated, unwell or in hospital during the Christmas season, and especially ….

for all who have died recently:  … and all killed in the Indonesian Tsunami and by war and violence around the world; 

for all whose Christmas is shadowed by the memory of a loved ones anniversary, as we pray for  …

                              WORD MADE FLESH…

Mary and Joseph,  teach us to wonder at the love that is Jesus,  and pray with us for the peace of our world

HAIL MARY…

Let us bring the cries of humanity and our hearts’ needs to the new-born King…

God and humanity meet in the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth:  may the Church of Christ with profound faith offer the space for God and humanity always to meet, that God’s saving love  and mercy might spring up from the earth

[READER:]     HEAR US WE PRAY…

[response]     WE COME TO DO YOUR WILL

Insignificant Bethlehem gives birth to the Messiah:  may no one be counted insignificant or of little value; may the small and poor nations of the Earth be treated with equal dignity as the rich and powerful nations;  may the work of the United Nations help all to value each in a realm of peace

HEAR US WE PRAY…

The Visitation holds rich promise for all peoples:  that the Palestinian and Jewish Peoples will find a new path forward that will bring peace rather than endless ethnic conflict to the Land that Jews, Christians and Muslims revere as Holy; that the cease fire in Yemen will bear fruit of peace and stability in that stricken nation, saving millions from starvation

HEAR US WE PRAY…

‘Of all women you are most blessed’: as God chooses a woman to give birth to infinite love in the world, may all women know they are valued, reverenced with the dignity of equality in both church and society;  may all women who have known abuse in their lives be gently healed

HEAR US WE PRAY…

May the re-telling of the timeless story of Jesus’ birth in all its simplicity and depth bring many to hear afresh the Good News of God’s immense love, and be converted to Christ,  to humanity and to love: we pray especially for all our children and young people

HEAR US WE PRAY…

Jesus is the promise of wholeness and healing:  may all mothers who carry a child in their womb know security and peace;  may the sick find hope and healing especially the housebound of our parish and those who will spend Christmas in hospital or seriously ill, in particular….

that those who have died recently be raised to eternal life, in particular…. and all those killed in war, conflict or the refugee flight to safety 

may those whose anniversaries are at this time know eternal light…

                               HEAR US WE PRAY…

Mary,  faithful bearer of the Coming of God,  pray with us, especially for God’s Blessing upon all women who carry a child in their womb at this time.. 

HAIL MARY…

We wait upon the Coming of the Saviour in a moment of silence…

That all God’s People will welcome John the Baptist’s challenge to conversion to the paths of justice;  that we might give the world the witness of a joy that none can take from us – the joy of revealing the merciful face of the Father and yearning for Jesus our fulfilment

[READER]      LORD WE PRAY…
[response:]    You are our joy…

That the world of exploitation and intimidation will respond to the preaching of John and walk the way of sharing, peacemaking and empowering; that peace with justice may come soon in the whole Middle East region, in Central Africa and in the many theatres of conflict around the world – that the ceasefire in Yemen will hold

LORD WE PRAY…

For all who live with fear … fear of war or poverty, fear of unemployment or pain, fear of deportation, fear of climate change, fear of others or themselves: may their fears be turned to joy as they experience the healing embrace of the God who dances in joy over them; may the recent Summit on Climate Change bring effective global action to heal our planet for future generations

LORD WE PRAY…

For all who are poor and homeless, cold and sick on our streets this Christmas, that we will create a society where all belong and have a home and security: may we as a nation learn from Christmas a new generosity of heart towards those who live devastated and impoverished lives

LORD WE PRAY…

As the sounds of hollow tinsel joy assail us, and the call of shops and lights summons us, may God draw us aside to know the profound joy of prayer-filled moments of silent communion with the God of love

LORD WE PRAY…

For the children of our schools and our Inner City as their excitement grows:  may they not be disappointed with a Christmas scarred by drugs or too much alcohol and not enough love;  and may we learn of divine joy from the wonder in their eyes

LORD WE PRAY…

That the sick and anxious will know the joy of healing and the healing of joy: for…. 
for all who have died recently, in particular ….. and all who have perished on the Refugee journey to freedom;
and for all whose anniversaries ….are at this time:

LORD WE PRAY…

Mary, share with us your joy in waiting and loving and pray with us for our Altar Servers as they embrace their ministry among us…

HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in a moment in joy’s silence…

That the Church may always root its life and decisions in the disturbing and life-giving Word of God,  and proclaim with integrity and joy the Gospel of Jesus, that the world may believe

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…
 [response]     LORD FEED US WITH YOUR WORD…

For all who seek after truth,  for those who cannot believe: that their hearts and minds be opened to God’s Word that brings Life and Mercy;  for a world divided by war and terrorism, racism and famine that all may heed the Gospel of Peace and live; that world leaders will come together in pursuit of peace, freedom and equality for all peoples, especially for the peace of the Yemen

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…

For a deep love of the Scriptures in our parish community, and in our own lives – may we  find inspiration in sharing the Word with one another,  direction for our children and families and growth for our parish

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…

For God’s blessing upon the children and young people of our parish family, that filled with the Spirit they may devour the Word as Bread for their lives and Wisdom for their journey and rejoice to proclaim the Word of God’s Mercy and Love and so serve the Kingdom with enthusiasm

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…

For all who proclaim God’s Word to us: for our Lay Readers, our Catechists and all who lead Children’s Liturgy, and for the teachers in our schools for parents in their families: that they may grow in Christ as they share faith and the Word of God with those entrusted to them

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…

For the Bible Society, Scripture Union and ‘Bible Alive’ and all organisations seeking to share God’s Word with our world:  may they always offer the riches of the Bible with reverence for other world faiths and their sacred  scriptures

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…

For the sick, the lonely and housebound: ….
We pray too for those who have died recently, especially …. and all victims of war, conflict and poverty everywhere
and all whose anniversaries are at this time: ….

                             IN CHRIST WE PRAY…

Mary, teach us to ponder the Word in our hearts and to treasure all that God speaks to our world…

                              HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in a moment’s silence for other needs 

Mary gives the People of God a vision of the holiness of Christ:  may we always reflect the wonder of our Redeemer to a world in need of true holiness and humanity…

               [reader]                   LORD WE PRAY…
[response]             SHINE YOUR GLORY UPON US…

Mary shines with peace to a world wounded by conflicts:  we pray for peace in Mary’s land in the Middle East;  for the people of Iraq and Syria, for the stricken and starving people of Yemen, and for all who flee their own lands seeking safety and refuge

                                   LORD WE PRAY…

Mary,  the exalted poor one,  challenges us in the Magnificat to raise up the poor and powerless:  that the impoverished and oppressed may be a central focus of our prayer and our mission as a Church;  that the homeless,  the unemployed,  those rejected and discriminated against will know and live their dignity: for all our asylum and refugee sisters and brothers whom Borderlands Charity seeks to serve

                                   LORD WE PRAY…

Mary embraces all whom Jesus gives her to love:  we pray for those with special needs,  learning difficulties and for all whose special gifts are not valued; we pray too on this Feast of this Woman’s Holiness that women may be welcomed into leadership roles in the Church and play a full part in the ministry and mission of the Body of Christ 

                                   LORD WE PRAY…

Mary walks as a Pilgrim among her poor people:  we pray for all who journey the spiritual search; may they embrace the call to holiness in a humanity rich with compassion and love; may our Catholic Schools be communities where our children and young people can touch the excitement of holiness and humanity

                                   LORD WE PRAY…

Mary is Christ’s faithful sign of wholeness and Healing: we pray for all who are depressed and are without hope; for all whose past has wounded them and they are imprisoned in themselves; for all who are sick that they be healed and comforted

we also pray eternal life and peace for all the deceased members of our families and parish community, praying especially today for ….

                                   LORD WE PRAY…

Mary,  Immaculate One,  share with us with your faith, wisdom and love as you pray with us …

                                   HAIL MARY…

We pray for other needs in a moment of silence…