Category: Bidding Prayers

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…

Advent is a time of New Beginning for God’s People:  as we begin our diocesan Year of Prayer may the whole Church answer God’s call to profound prayer,  so that revealing the face of our Father by our love and compassion, we will prepare the world for the Final Coming of Christ

                                                               LORD WE CRY…
[response]     COME LORD JESUS…

Advent is a time of waiting and working:  that we may struggle with renewed courage for the Advent of justice and freedom for the poor, the homeless and the unemployed;  and as we wait and work with hope for an end to war and famine and the outbreak of peace, especially throughout the Middle East, we cry out for our 66 million refugee sisters and brothers around the world

                                                                LORD WE CRY…

Advent is a time of watching for the Coming of Christ:  that we may make space for prayer and stillness in the midst of this season’s busy-ness,  that we will recognise him as he comes in the silence of prayer and welcome him as he comes in each other

                                                                LORD WE CRY…

Advent is a time of Mission:  that we might reach out into our city and our world,  and help rebuild human values and heal individuals and families on our streets and bring the reign of justice throughout our earth, especially for all migrants and those seeking asylum;

                                                                LORD WE CRY…

Advent is a time of wonder before the Coming of our God:  for our children with their gifts of wonder and awe,  for those who care for them and teach them – their parents and teachers,  catechists and carers – we pray especially for our school of St Nicholas at this time

                                                                 LORD WE CRY…

We pray for all who suffer from HIV/Aids, for children orphaned by this disease, for nations decimated by its onslaught, and for an effective treatment and cure to be discovered and offered

LORD WE CRY … 

Advent is a time of becoming:  for the healing and wholeness of all who are sick and remembering all sufferers of HIV/Aids; we pray too for…
We pray for all who have died recently, especially … and all killed in conflict and war
and those whose anniversaries are at this time:

                                                                 LORD WE CRY…

Mary of Advent,  teach us to wait and watch,  to hope and love…

                                                                  HAIL MARY…

We wait in love’s silence, holding all the world in our hearts filled with the Holy Spirit

We pray for the Church throughout the world … for our unity in love and faithfulness to the Gospel, for our dedication to the Mission of the Kingdom in the world, and for our prophets creating world-wide solidarity in building Justice in the name of Christ

(reader) JESUS, WE ASK YOU…
(response)       COME REIGN IN OUR HEARTS

We pray for our world, in beauty and poverty, freedom and slavery, war and peace; we pray in particular for peace in the wars tearing the Middle East apart, and threatening the world … may Jesus our King send the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth, may the Kingdom bring to all peoples hope, justice and the reign of God’s love

(reader) JESUS, WE ASK YOU…

We pray for the healing our creation, for decisive action to halt Climate Change: may we like St Francis reverence all God’s creatures and bring hope of a new world where we will all liv ein harmony and peace, sharing our common home – the planet

(reader) JESUS, WE ASK YOU…

We pray for our parish family, for the children baptised today, for all our young people on this National Youth Sunday: may they catch the adventure of dedicating themselves to the Servant-King who washes our wounded feet: may we be a healing community,  reaching out to the hurting, excluded and the addicted of the Inner City

(reader) JESUS, WE ASK YOU…

We pray for Christians of every tradition in this area, that Jesus our King will hasten the day when we shall all share the One Bread and the One Cup with joyful and united hearts in service of the Kingdom; we pray too for believers of other Faiths, our Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Bahai friends – may we all serve the Goodness and Mercy of God

(reader) JESUS, WE ASK YOU…

We pray on this National Youth Sunday for all our children and young people and all involved in their education and for our Diocesan Youth Service: may our young people experience their voices being heard and build our Church… may we become a Church where young people can grow free from harm to maturity in Christ and shape with us a 21st Century Church

 (reader) JESUS, WE ASK YO U…

We pray in thankfulness that we are a fellowship of the weak, where the sick, wounded and broken speak Christ’s Kingdom as no others can; so we bring all who are hurting to the Kingdom of wholeness, especially …..
for all who have died recently, especially ……
and in this month of November for all the faithful departed and the forgotten ones with no-one to pray for them; and all whose anniversaries are at this time, in particular ……

(reader) JESUS, WE ASK YOU…

Mary, mother of Christ our King and Servant of the Kingdom, pray with us for a more justice, more love… HAIL MARY…

We pray for other needs in a moment of silence…

Jesus said, ‘When you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the very gates’: for the whole Church of God, that we might together ‘see the signs of the times’, know the closeness of Jesus Christ among us and faithfully proclaim life-giving truth to our world

Reader:    Lord we pray…

Response: KEEP US FAITHFUL

Jesus warns us of ‘the time of distress when the sun will be darkened’: for all peoples and nations afflicted by the darkness of war and terror; for the more than 66 million refugees and displaced people around the world; for unaccompanied child refugees that their cries be heard

Reader:    Lord we pray…

The Psalmist sings, ‘Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope’: for our city of Bristol, a City of Sanctuary, for our Borderlands Charity as we stand together to support and keep safe all our asylum-seeking sisters and brothers and struggle for their right to work, shelter and freedom

Reader:    Lord we pray…

The Book of Daniel says, ‘Michael, the great prince will guard your people’: for peace throughout the Middle East, especially in the Yemen, that the men and women of violence may come to recognise the evil and brutality of war; that the powerful and wealthy of the earth may recognise the injustices that are the seeds of war and violence – that the Day of Peace might come soon

Reader:    Lord we pray…

Daniel calls us ‘to shine brightly in the heavens as bright stars for all eternity’: for our parish community and especially our young people that by our faith and our love the light of Christ might shine through us into the dark places of addiction, poverty and loneliness

Reader:    Lord we pray…

For our nation and all the nations of the European Union at this time of political chaos and crisis, that our elected representatives will act responsibly, with wisdom and for the Common Good

Reader:    Lord we pray…

For all in need of friendship and healing…..

for those who have died recently, especially …., and all victims of war; 

for all the faithful departed for whom we pray in November, and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time…..

Reader:     Lord we pray…

Mary, Queen of Peace and Mother of the Church, pray with us for the peace of our world, and the children baptised into Christ this day among us

                         HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in a moment of silence for all who grieve and all who yearn for peace

Jesus said, ‘When you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the very gates’: for the whole Church of God, that we might together ‘see the signs of the times’, know the closeness of Jesus Christ among us and faithfully proclaim life-giving truth to our world

Reader:      Lord we pray…

Response: KEEP US FAITHFUL

Jesus warns us of ‘the time of distress when the sun will be darkened’: for all peoples and nations afflicted by the darkness of war and terror; for the more than 66 million refugees and displaced people around the world; for unaccompanied child refugees that their cries be heard

Reader:      Lord we pray…

The Psalmist sings, ‘Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope’: for our city of Bristol, a City of Sanctuary, for our Borderlands Charity as we stand together to support and keep safe all our asylum-seeking sisters and brothers and struggle for their right to work, shelter and freedom

Reader:      Lord we pray…

The Book of Daniel says, ‘Michael, the great prince will guard your people’: for peace throughout the Middle East, especially in the Yemen, that the men and women of violence may come to recognise the evil and brutality of war; that the powerful and wealthy of the earth may recognise the injustices that are the seeds of war and violence – that the Day of Peace might come soon

Reader:      Lord we pray…

Daniel calls us ‘to shine brightly in the heavens as bright stars for all eternity’: for our parish community and especially our young people that by our faith and our love the light of Christ might shine through us into the dark places of addiction, poverty and loneliness

Reader:      Lord we pray…

For our nation and all the nations of the European Union at this time of political chaos and crisis, that our elected representatives will act responsibly, with wisdom and for the Common Good

Reader:     Lord we pray…

For all in need of friendship and healing,

for those who have died recently, especially  and all victims of war; 

for all the faithful departed for whom we pray in November, and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:

Reader:Lord we pray…

Mary, Queen of Peace and Mother of the Church, pray with us for the peace of our world, and the children baptised into Christ this day among us

HAIL MARY…

Let us pray in a moment of silence for all who grieve and all who yearn for peace