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  Some Forms of Intercession
     
     
    Some or all parts of these forms of intercession may be used, as occasion demands.  Specific petitions may be added, or silence may be kept, at suitable points.
     
   
   
For General Use
 
     
   
Suitable for Morning Prayer
 
     
   
     
    That this coming day may be holy, good and joyful:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That we may offer to you our worship and our work:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That in the pleasures and pains of life,
    we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit,
    in communion with [N and with] all your saints,
    entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    2
     
    That this and all our days
    may be full of your praise:
All
  We pray to you, O Lord.
               
    That you will keep us this day without sin:
All
  We pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That we may walk before you
    in the paths of righteousness and peace:
All
  We pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That you will bless your people
    and lift them up for ever:
All
  We pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That you will guide and protect us by your Holy Spirit
    and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting:
All
  We pray to you, O Lord.
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray ,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
   
Suitable for Evening Prayer
 
    3                                           
     
All
  That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful:
    we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and goodwill:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offences:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit,
    in communion with [N and with] all your saints,
    entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
   
Suitable for late evening
 
    4
     
    That you will give us a quiet night and a perfect end:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That you will have mercy upon us and grant us your salvation:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That you will keep us this night without sin:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That you will guard us and give us your blessing:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    That you will bring us with [N and] all your saints to glory everlasting:
All
  we pray to you, O Lord.
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept
     
    Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
    to the mercy and protection of God this night.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
   
   
Suitable for Seasonal Use
 
     
   
Advent
 
     
    5
     
    Watchful at all times,
    let us pray for strength to stand with confidence
    before our Maker and Redeemer
     
    That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That God may establish among the nations
                his sceptre of righteousness,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
               
    That we may seek him in the scriptures
    and recognize him in the breaking of the bread,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That God may bind up the broken-hearted,
    restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That the light of God's coming may dawn
    on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
               
    That with all the saints in light,
    we may shine forth as lights of the world,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world that Christ will judge,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    6
     
    Let us turn our eyes to the Lord of glory                   
    and enthrone him on our praises.
     
    Jesus, servant of God,
    you bring justice to the peoples: R
     
    You love your people with a faithful love: R
     
    You were lifted up on the cross
    that you might draw all people to yourself: R
     
    You bring hope and joy
    to those who walk in the valley and shadow of death: R
     
    You have liberated us so that we might be free for ever: R
    You, O Christ, are our justice,
    our peace and our redemption: R
     
     
   
Christmas
 
     
    7
     
    To us a child is born, to us a son is given;
    let us pray for the people he came to save.
     
    Wonderful Counsellor,
    give your wisdom to the rulers of the nations: R
     
    Mighty God,
    make the whole world know that the government is on your shoulders: R
     
    Everlasting Father,
    establish your reign of justice and righteousness: R
     
    Prince of Peace,
    bring in the endless kingdom of your peace: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world to which Christ came,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    8
     
    Let us praise the eternal Word of God,                                     
    who is seated at God's right hand,
    and yet was born for us in the midst of time.
     
    O saving Lord, God with us,
    born of the Virgin by the power of the Spirit: R
     
    Son of David,
    foretold by the prophets: R
     
    Glorious offspring of Abraham,
    awaited by the patriarchs: R
     
    Saviour of your people,
    proclaimed by angels: R
     
    O Light eternal,
    who gives sight to the eyes of the blind: R
     
    O lover of justice and peace,
    ruler of all the ages: R
     
     
   
Epiphany
 
     
    9                                                                                 
     
    From the rising of the sun to its setting, let us pray to the Lord.
     
    That the people of God in all the world
    may worship in spirit and in truth,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That the Church may discover again that unity which is your gift,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That the nations of the earth
    may seek after the ways that make for peace,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That the whole creation, groaning in travail,
    may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death
    may rest in peace and rise in glory,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world to which Christ showed the way,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    10
     
    To Jesus, redeemer of the peoples,                                          
    let us lift our praises.
     
    Lord, you are the faithful guide of those who seek you with a pure heart: R
     
    You came among us to usher in your kingdom of peace: R
     
    O Lord, encompassed in light as with a cloak,
    you conquer the darkness of our night: R
     
    You change our vessels of water
    into the gladdening wine of new life: R
     
    O bread eternal,
    you feed the hunger of your people in desert places: R
     
    You are the true Host of the marriage feast,
    welcoming sinners to your banquet table: R
     
     
   
Lent
 
     
    11
     
    In penitence and faith let us make our prayer to the Father
    and ask for his mercy and grace.
     
    For the people of God,
    that they may triumph over evil and grow in grace,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    For candidates for baptism and confirmation,
    that they may live by every word that proceeds from your mouth,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    For the leaders of the nations,
    that you will guide them in the ways of mercy and truth,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    For the needy, that they may not be forgotten,
    nor the hope of the poor be taken away,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    For the sick in body, mind and spirit,
    that they may know your power to heal,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    For the poor in spirit,
    that they may inherit the kingdom of heaven and see you face to face,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world for which Christ suffered,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    12
     
    To the Son of God, crucified and risen,
    who eternally intercedes for us with the Father,
    let us bring our thanksgiving.
     
    Son of God, you came into the world to save sinners: R
     
    You became poor that we might become rich: R
     
    You have taken on yourself all our sufferings: R
     
    You loved the Church and gave yourself for her: R
     
    For the joy which was set before you, you endured the cross: R
     
    King of the ages, you brought us the gift of life,
    and opened the way to unending joy: R
     
     
   
Passiontide
 
     
    13
     
    With faith and love and in union with Christ,
    let us offer our prayer before the throne of grace.
     
    Have mercy on your people,
    for whom your Son laid down his life. R
     
    Bring healing and wholeness to people and nations,
    and have pity on those torn apart by division. R
     
    Strengthen all who are persecuted for your name's sake,
    and deliver them from evil. R
     
    Look in mercy upon all who suffer,
    and hear those who cry out in pain and desolation. R
     
    Bring comfort to the dying,
    and gladden their hearts with the power of your glory. R
     
    Give rest to the departed
    and bring them, with your saints,
    to glory everlasting. R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world for which Christ died
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    14
     
    Let us bring our prayers                           
    to him who died that we might live
    and who intercedes for ever before the Father R
     
    Lord Jesus, you embraced the cross
    that we might learn to give our lives
    for the sake of love: R
     
    In the hour of death
    you heard the penitent thief
    and opened to him the door of paradise: R
     
    Innocent captive,
    you submitted to the judgement of sinners: R
     
    Most merciful Saviour,
    you have known the pain of abandonment: R
     
    Lord, you loved the Church
    and gave up your own self for her: R
     
    Through your blood
    you have brought to all people the crown of life: R
     
     
   
Easter
 
     
    15
     
    On this day that the Lord has made,
    let us pray for the people he has redeemed.
     
    That we may live as those who believe in the triumph of the cross: R
     
    That all people may receive the good news of his victory: R
     
    That those born to new life in the waters of baptism
    may know the power of his resurrection: R
     
    That those who suffer pain and anguish
    may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ: R
     
    That in the undying love of Christ
    we may have union with all who have died in the faith of Christ: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world in which Christ rose from the dead,
    to the mercy and protection of God this day.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    16
     
    To Christ, the Lamb who was slain,                          
    and who now lives in the glory of the Father,
    let us raise the voice of praise.
     
    Lord Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful witness,
    the first of God's creation: R
     
    You are Alpha and Omega,
    the one who is, and was, and who is to come: R
     
    You search into the thoughts and affections of all people: R
     
    You reprove and chasten those whom you love: R
     
    You open the eyes of the blind
    and set the prisoners free: R
     
    In your paschal victory,
    you have proclaimed the coming of the kingdom: R
     
     
   
Ascension to Pentecost
 
     
    17
     
    Through Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us,
    let us pray to the Lord.
     
    Lift up our hearts to the heavenly places
    and inspire us to serve you as a royal priesthood: R
     
    Let all peoples acknowledge your kingdom
    and grant on earth the blessing of peace: R
     
    Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit
    and renew your Church with power from on high: R
     
    May peace abound and righteousness flourish,
    that we may vanquish injustice and wrong: R
     
    Help us to proclaim the good news of salvation,
    and grant us the needful gifts of your grace: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    Let us commend the world for which Christ prays,
    to the mercy and protection of God.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    18
     
    Let us praise the crucified and risen Lord, 
    who sends upon us the Spirit which makes all things new.
     
    O Word of life,
    one God with the Father and the Spirit: R
     
    O eternal Light,
    who through the working of the Holy Spirit
    received from the Virgin our human nature: R
     
    O crucified Redeemer,
    through your desire to make us anew,
    the life-giving Comforter moves among us: R
     
    You breathed on the apostles the Spirit of your love,
    that sinners might come to know the mercy of God: R
     
    You are seated at the right hand of the Father,
    from whom we receive the gifts of the Spirit: R
     
    Through the power of the Holy Paraclete
    you wipe away our sins in the waters of baptism
    and open our hearts to the guiding hand of God: R
     
     
   
All Saints' until Advent
 
     
    19
     
    Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
    let us make our prayer in the power of the Spirit,
    looking to Jesus the pioneer of our faith.
     
    That with the noble fellowship of the prophets
    we may discern the signs of your kingdom in our midst,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That with the glorious company of the apostles
    we may proclaim your gospel throughout the world
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That with the white-robed army of martyrs
    we may be ready to suffer for the truth's sake,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That with all who are anointed by your Spirit
    we may bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That with the saints in light
    we may bind up the brokenhearted and comfort all who mourn,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    That within the whole company of Christ's pilgrim people
    we may come to the inheritance of the saints in glory,
    let us pray to the Lord: R
     
    Free prayer may be offered and silence is kept.
     
    In communion with all the saints,
    let us commend the world to the mercy and protection of God.
     
    The Collect and Lord's Prayer follow.
     
     
    20
     
    Let us praise Christ our King,                                   
    by whose cross we have citizenship in heaven.
     
    Lord, you built your Church on the foundation of the apostles: R
     
    You witness to your truth in the lives of your saints: R
    You made us to be a kingdom and priests
    serving our God: R
     
    You have shared our burdens,
    revealing the holiness of our life and work: R
     
    You stir us to seek the mysteries of the kingdom: R
     
    You lead us to the eternal assembly of the saints: R
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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