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
Daily prayer themes
Sunday
Family, friends and loved ones
We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their health, their well-being and their sense of hope.
We pray that even when loved ones cannot physically be together they would not feel apart.
We ask for God’s help in our communicating, our connecting and our caring.
Monday
Schools and colleges, children and young people
We pray for all those involved in the shaping of young lives.
We give God thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of teachers and all those involved in serving children and young people in education.
We pray that all might be nurtured and cared for and that every needful resource would be made available - that all lives can flourish even in these difficult times and that no-one would be overlooked.
Tuesday
Elderly, isolated and vulnerable
We echo God’s commitment to those most at risk of this virus by praying today for those who are particularly vulnerable and isolated. Praying for their deliverance, protection and comfort.
We hold before God those who care for them – that they would be strengthened and encouraged in this work.
Wednesday
Businesses, the workplace and economic wellbeing
In this time of great challenge, we pray for the economic wellbeing of the country.
We remember before God those who face great uncertainty in their work.
We lift before God those who have lost their jobs and face an uncertain and difficult future. We pray for a renewed commitment to our common life together.
Thursday
The NHS and other key workers
Our God is the great healer – and the agent used more than any other is the NHS.
Today we voice our gratitude for those who serve this country in the National Health Service and pray for that God would prosper the work of their hands – that they would all be encouraged in their continued work of sacrifice and care amongst us.
Friday
National and Local government
We pray for those who are in positions of authority with responsibility for decision making at national and local level at this difficult time.
We ask that God would give great wisdom, deep commitment to all and right judgment.
Saturday
All who are grieving, and all suffering with physical and mental ill-health
‘Lord the one you love is ill….’ John 11v3
We bring to God all those who suffer in body, mind, spirit or with grief.
We ask that in God’s great loving kindness they might know God’s sustaining presence amidst their pain.
We pray for those who are stretched beyond their own capacity to cope and remain hopeful – that in the roar of these waterfalls God would bring a sense of coherence, comfort and strength.
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.
