| Prayers for the Unity of the Church | ||||
| These prayers may take place around a unity candle, the font or some other symbol of the Church. | ||||
| Jesus prayed that his followers may all be one. | ||||
| In the power of the Spirit, we join our prayers with his. | ||||
| The following may be used | ||||
| O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace: give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of peace, of faith and charity and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
||||
|
All
|
Amen. | |||
| . | I am the vine and you are the branches | |||
|
All
|
Abide in me as I abide in you. | |||
| As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. | ||||
|
All
|
Abide in me as I abide in you. | |||
| No one has greater love than this, | ||||
| to lay down one's life for one's friends. | ||||
|
All
|
Abide in me as I abide in you. | |||
| You are my friends if you do what I command you; | ||||
| love one another as I have loved you. | ||||
|
All
|
Abide in me as I abide in you. | |||
| Intercessions are offered for the unity of the Church | ||||
| This response may be used | ||||
| Lord of the Church | ||||
|
All
|
hear your people's prayer. | |||
| Silence may be kept. | ||||
| This Collect is said | ||||
| Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you': look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom; where you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
||||
| The version of the Lord's Prayer on page 27 is suitable on this occasion. | ||||
| The peace of the Lord be always with you. | ||||
|
All
|
and also with you. | |||
| These words may be added | ||||
| Let us offer one another a sign of peace, | ||||
| God's seal on our prayers. | ||||