On this page you will find topics for prayer and a prayer resource

This week we are asked to pray -

  For the sick and for those who have died this week.

  For all who receive Holy Communion at home.

  For the patients/residents/staff of the hospital & various care homes in the parish.

  22 Nov is the Feast of St Cecilia (as depicted in a window in N Transept) patron saint of music. Give thanks for the gift of music, and pray for our organists, musicians and choir/singers: may we be properly appreciative of their role in the church’s worship.

A prayer for safe travel

O God, the giver of all good things, we pray for all making journeys at this time in connection with holidays; that they may set out in peace and return in safety, refreshed in body, mind and spirit; and that seeing the glory of your works they may remember to give you thanks and praise for Jesus Christ’s sake.

(adapted a prayer of Christopher Idle, New Parish Prayers, ed. Frank Colquhoun 486)

The Caritas Prayer

God our Father

you sent your Son

to reconcile all things

to yourself by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Renew faith, hope and love

among us so that

Sussex is blessed

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An invitation to prayer

A prayer of penitence

Lord our God,

in our sin we have avoided your call.

Our love for you is like a morning cloud,

like the dew that goes away early.

Have mercy on us;

deliver us from judgement;

bind up our wounds and revive us;

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer of St Richard

Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.

A prayer for the world from St Augustine

Tend thy sick ones O Lord Christ,

rest thy weary ones.

Bless thy dying ones.

Soothe thy suffering ones.

Pity thine afflicted ones.

Shield the joyous ones.

And all for thy love's sake.

Prayer of St Francis

For the peace of the world

Almighty God,

from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:

kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace

and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom

those who take counsel for the nations of the earth

that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward,

till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

A Prayer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God of the day and of the night, in me there is darkness, but with you there is light. I am alone, but you will not leave me. I am weak, but you will come to my help. I am restless, but you are my peace. I am in haste, but you are the God of infinite patience. I am confused and lost, but you are eternal wisdom and you direct my path; now and for ever. Amen

A Prayer of St Polycarp

O sweet Saviour Christ, in your undeserved love for us you were prepared to suffer the painful death of the cross:
let me not be cold or even lukewarm in my love for you.
Lord help me to face the truth about myself. Help me to hear my words as others hear them,
To see my face as others see me; Let me be honest enough to recognise my impatience and conceit;
Let me recognise my anger and selfishness;
Give me sufficient humility to accept my own weakness for what they are.
Give me the grace - at least in your presence - to say. ‘I was wrong - forgive me.’
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, increase in us faith and truth and gentleness and grant us part and lot among the saints.

General thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Collect for this Sunday

Heavenly Father,

whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil

and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:

grant that we, having this hope,

may purify ourselves even as he is pure;

that when he shall appear in power and great glory

we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;

where he is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Daily Prayer