Prayer
Topics for prayer
For Christian unity.
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 – especially those at St. Bridget’s and Ashdown Lodge (Mabs Steere)
Collect for this Sunday
Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
A collection of Prayers
A Prayer for the ministry of all Christian people
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
The Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity
A Prayer for Dedication from St Augustine
Almighty God,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
who hast made us for thyself,
so that our hearts are restless till they rest in thee:
Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose,
that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing thy will,
no weakness from doing it;
but that in thy light we may see light clearly,
and in thy service find our perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Prayer for the Spirit of Service (After Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667)
O Everlasting God,
who from all eternity dost behold and order all things,
and hast called us to serve in this our generation,
doing the work of God after the manner of men:
Enable us to use the talents entrusted to us,
to thy glory and the service of others,
that at the last we may hear that most joyful voice,
Well done, thou good and faithful servant,
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord;
through the same our Saviour Jesus Christ.
A prayer for Parish Groups by Frank Colquhoun
Strong Son of God, our Saviour,
who chose for your first followers not the great and exalted
but ordinary men and women from the common ways of life,
and gave them each a place in your service:
we thank you for calling us to serve you
in the fellowship of the Church in this our day.
Keep us faithful to our calling;
strengthen the bonds of fellowship that unite us to each other;
and show us how best we may bear our witness in our homes,
our places of work,
and in the life of our community,
to the honour and praise of your name.
Bishop Westcott's prayer
O Lord God,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
open our eyes that we may behold thy fatherly presence ever about us.
Draw our hearts to thee with the power of thy love.
Teach us to be careful for nothing;
and when we have done what thou has given us to do, help us,
O God, to leave the issue to thy wisdom.
Take us from all doubt and distrust.
Lift up our thoughts to thee in heaven; and make us to know all
things are possible to us through thy Son, our Redeemer.
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.
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
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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.