Special Prayers
August 2011 A prayer for peace in our communities
As violence breaks out in communities across the country, below is a prayer by Bishop Paul for those affected and for peace to be restored.
Lord God,
We are shocked by the violence and looting on our cities’ streets.
We cry to you for those whose homes, businesses and communities have been affected. We pray for those who live in fear of violence affecting them.
We pray too for our police, other emergency services, community and political leaders, that they will have the wisdom, and strength, to carry out their tasks well.
We long for those who perpetrate such acts whether from sheer selfishness and greed, or from despair and frustration, to see the folly of their ways, and cease their actions.
And help us all to work for a society in which all feel valued, all matter and where justice and peace roll down like waters of an ever flowing stream.
We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace.
Amen
Click here to read a prayer for peace in our communities on the Church of England website
Prayer following earthquake off Japan
O loving Creator,
bring healing and hope to those who, at this time, grieve, suffer pain, or who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
We remember those who have died and we pray for those who mourn for them.
We pray for those who may be affected as the tsunami spreads across the Pacific.
May we all be aware of Your compassion, O God, which calms our troubled hearts and shelters our anxious souls.
May we pray with humility with our troubled and struggling brothers and sisters on earth.
May we dare to hope that through the generosity of the privileged, the destitute might glimpse hope, warmth and life again.
Through our Saviour Christ who lives with us, comforts us and soothes us.
Amen
Click here for information from Bishop Paul about appeals
Prayer for the People of New Zealand
God of consolation
grant to those who suffer and sorrow at this time of devastation in Christchurch,
the spirit of faith and courage,
that they may have the strength to meet the days to come
with steadfastness and patience;
not sorrowing without hope
but clinging to your goodness and love,
through Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life,
Amen.
(Adapted from a New Zealand Prayer Book)
Click here for information from Bishop Paul about appeals
Prayers for those taking exams
Prayer suitable for use by teachers
I don't suppose that you have time for this, Lord, but I am nervous. Not for myself, but for my class. Today they have that test, Lord; the one that seems to determine their future.
They have worked hard, so have I!
They deserve to do well.
It should not be a problem, but... well, you know this lot, Lord.
They can get so silly if they are nervous or excited.
They forget things that normally they know, like their names and the date! O Lord, they are in there, and there is nothing I can do but worry.
Keep them calm, Lord.
Keep them focused.
Let them do their best.
At this moment they really need your help.
© David W. Lankshear
Taken from Pocket Prayers for Teachers, Church House Publishing, ISBN 0-7151-4041-8
Prayers suitable for use by/with primary school students
Dear Lord
Even when things seem impossible, help me to trust you.
Please give friends I can rely on and help me listen to adults I can trust.
Amen.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for stories in the Bible that show us that being worried and afraid are common feelings. Thank you even more that with Jesus we too can face storms and massive waves knowing that he is there to calm us.
Amen.
Prayers suitable for use by/with secondary school students
Heavenly Father,
During these testing times
We thank you that you love us
Whatever path we take or whatever happens.
Help us, wherever we can,
To follow in the footsteps of your son,
Jesus Christ.
Amen.
God of all time, we are in the midst of stressful times. Give us grace to see that it is the making of our success, the making of our characters, the making of our selves. We thank you for the gift of all that we are and all that we have the potential to be. Fill us with your spirit that we may grow into those people who are not afraid to try and not afraid to fail. And, loving God of all your people, give us grace to celebrate with all our classmates, families and friends, that as they fail or succeed, they are living, they are trying and they are growing into your perfect love, which casts out all fear.
Amen.
Prayers for the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
God our Father,
we remember before you DIANA, Princess of Wales,
and offer you our gratitude
for all the memories of her that we treasure still.
Her vulnerability
and her willingness to reach out to the excluded and forgotten
touched us all;
her generosity gave hope and joy to many.
May she rest in peace where sorrow and pain are banished,
and may the everlasting light of your merciful love shine upon her;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father eternal, unfailing source of peace to all who seek you,
we entrust to your love and protection
all for whom this anniversary of the tragic and untimely death of
Diana, Princess of Wales
reawakens the pains of grief and loss.
Comfort all who mourn, that casting all their cares upon you,
they may be filled with your gifts – of new life, of courage and of hope;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Litany for an agricultural crisis - from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Let us pray for the whole body of Christ and for all people according to their needs.
For all nations of the world that they may be good stewards of the earth and encourage wise practices and policies in the area of food production.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
For your body, the church, that we may share the Gospel as we work for justice that reaches beyond our communities and impacts small town and rural areas.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
For our congregation and congregations in small town and rural areas, that we may recognize and minister to those who suffer from the agricultural crisis and other kinds of economic dislocation in our society.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
For the farmers and people in farm-related businesses who face foreclosure, suffer from depression and feelings of powerlessness, that you will strengthen and support them with your presence.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
For rural and small town communities, especially that they (we) may work together to build a sustainable future.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
For those who farm the land, that they may see their labour as participation in God’s creative activity in the world.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
For the hungry, that they may not be forgotten as we work for justice for farmers.
Response: Into your hands, Lord, we give our prayers.
(Here add other petitions.)
Into your hands, O Lord, we commit all for whom we pray, believing in your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for Refugees
Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day
when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Two Prayers for Justice
Almighty God our heavenly Father,
guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth,
and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,
that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of our land as your love would make it:
- a land where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;
- a land where the benefits of civilised life are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
- a land where different races and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect;
- a land where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
And give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for the Leaders of the Nations
O God our heavenly Father,
whose love sets no boundaries
and whose strength is in service;
grant to the leaders of the nations
wisdom, courage and insight at this time of darkness and fear.
Give to all who exercise authority
determination to defend the principles of freedom, love and tolerance,
strength to protect and safeguard the innocent
and clarity of vision to guide the world into the paths of justice and peace.
This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A Prayer for Reconciliation
Gracious God,
ruling the earth and its people
not by terror but in love;
we worship you.
We confess that too often
our words hurt others
and our deeds are selfish;
forgive us.
In this time of uncertainty and fear,
help us to love our enemies
and do good to those who hate us,
in the name of Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Two Prayers for Peace
Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the king of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
O God, who would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace:
Let the design of thy great love
lighten upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows:
and give peace to thy Church,
peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings,
and peace in our hearts:
through thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen. | 
