Prayer for the nation

A lit tea light. CHIRAG K

February 2021

Prayer for the Nation

Whilst this call to pray was specifically set for February 2021, these resources remain available for all those who wish to continue praying for the nation.

We beseech thee, Master, to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of thy people;
feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.

Clement of Rome, 1st Century

Lord God,
You have called your servants
to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden,
through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage,
not knowing where we go,
but only that you hand is leading us
and your love supporting us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

In response to reaching the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, the Archbishops invited all to call on God in Prayer. Through the month of February 2021, the nation was invited to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love.

Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of your brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of your wisdom.
All our desire is known to you,
therefore perfect what you have begun,
and what your Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek your face,
turn your face to us and show us your glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.

St Augustine of Hippo

Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear, when thou art near O King of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
than if a host did round me stand.

Columba, c.521 - 597

Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love;
because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself;
because you have promised so much, I owe you my whole being.
Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I,
for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself.
I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge;
let me know by love what I know by understanding.
I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more,
and by myself, I cannot render the whole of it to you.
Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love.
I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love.

Anselm 1033-1109

Weekly prayers

Week 1 (1-7 February)
Week 2 (8-14 February)
Week 3 (15-21 February)
Week 4 (22-28 February)

Further prayers

Short Prayers
A Grace
A Family Prayer

School prayer videos

Primary

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

Secondary

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Emma, the Bishop of Penrith

Weekly online services

Watch our national services, streaming live at 9am every Sunday