Many churches have been organising prayer vigils and services following the invasion of Ukraine. For these and on other occasions, all are invited to make use of the following liturgical resources from Common Worship.
Provision for both Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic services is given; some will wish to use only the Collect and/or Intercessions, or draw from the lectionary provision; others may wish to use more of these texts in planning a service which meets local needs.
For the Peace of the World
Colour: of the season
Kyrie Confession
Lord Jesus, you wept over the sins of your city.
On our city/town/nation: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division, jealousy and bitterness.
On us: Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you bring pardon and peace to the sinner.
Grant us peace: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Collect
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 tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
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.
Lectionary
Isaiah 9.1-6; or 57.15-19; Micah 4.1-5
Psalms 40.14-17; 72.1-7; 85.8-13
Philippians 4.6-9; 1 Timothy 2.1-6; James 3.13-18
Matthew 5.43-end; John 14.23-29; or 15.9-17
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ says the Lord,
‘for they will be called children of God.’
Matthew 5.9
Alleluia.
Intercession
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the leaders of the nations,
that you will guide them in the ways of freedom, justice and truth.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for those who bear arms on behalf of the nation,
that they may have discipline and discernment,
courage and compassion.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for our enemies, and those who wish us harm,
that you will turn the hearts of all to kindness and friendship.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for the wounded and the captive,
the grieving and the homeless,
that in all their trials they may know your love and support.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Most holy God and Father,
hear our prayers for all who strive for peace
and all who fight for justice.
Help us, who today remember the cost of war,
to work for a better tomorrow;
and, as we commend to you lives lost in terror and conflict,
bring us all, in the end, to the peace of your presence;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Introduction to the Peace
Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’
cf John 14.27
Prayer at the Preparation of the Table
Look upon us in mercy not in judgement;
draw us from hatred to love;
make the frailty of our praise
a dwelling place for your glory.
Preface
And now we give you thanks,
because you have anointed your Son as the Messiah,
the light of the nations,
and revealed him as the hope of all who thirst for righteousness and peace.
Extended Preface
Living God, Father of light,
hope of nations, friend of sinners,
builder of the city that is to come:
your love is made visible in Jesus Christ,
you bring home the lost, restore the sinner
and give dignity to the despised.
In the face of Jesus Christ
your light shines out,
flooding lives with goodness and truth,
gathering into one a divided and broken humanity.
With people from every race and nation,
with the Church of all the ages,
with apostles, evangelists and martyrs,
we join the angels of heaven in their unending song:
Post Communion
God our Father,
your Son is our peace
and his cross the sign of reconciliation:
help us, who share the broken bread,
to bring together what is scattered
and to bind up what is wounded,
that Christ may bring in the everlasting kingdom of his peace;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Blessing
God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people,
unity, peace and concord,
and to us and all God’s servants,
life everlasting;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.