Prayers for Worship

List of Prayers
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Opening Prayer.🔊
Prayer of Confession.🔊
Glory to God in the Highest.🔊
Prayer of Intercession.🔊
The Lord’s Prayer.🔊
Sharing the Peace of the Lord.
The Nicene Creed.🔊
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication.🔊
Alternative Prayers of Intercession: A.
Alternative Prayers of Intercession: B.
Alternative Prayers of Intercession: C.
Alternative Prayers of Intercession: D.
Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: A.
Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: B.
Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: C.
Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: D.
The Apostles’ Creed.

The Covenant Service (opens a new page)

Opening Prayer

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer of Confession

Let us confess our sins to God.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our fellows,
in thought and word and deed,
in the evil we have done
and in the good we have not done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Hear then the word of grace:
Your sins are forgiven.
Amen. Thanks be to God.

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Glory to God in the Highest

Glory to God in the highest,
And peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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Prayer of Intercession

Let us pray.

God, our Father, grant us the help of your Spirit in our prayers for the salvation of all people.

We pray for the Church throughout the world [for … ]
and for this church and all its members [for … ]
that in faith and unity we may be constantly renewed by your Holy Spirit for mission and service.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the peoples of the world and their leaders [for . . . ]
that they may seek justice, freedom and peace for all people,

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our own country and for all who have authority and influence [for .. .]
that they may serve their fellows in wisdom, honesty and compassion.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those among whom we live and work [for … ]
that we may rightly use your gifts to set people free from drudgery and want and together find joy in your creation.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all in sorrow, need, anxiety and sickness [for … ]
for the lonely and the persecuted [for … ]
and for all who suffer from cruelty. injustice and neglect [for … ]
that in their weakness they may know your strength, and in despair find hope.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

In you, Father, we are one family in earth and heaven. We remember in your presence those who have died …
giving thanks especially for those who have revealed to us your grace in Christ. Help us to follow the example of your saints in light and bring us with them into the fullness of your eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

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Sharing the Peace of the Lord

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

The peace of the Lord.

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The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

We praise you, God our Father,
for the world which you created
and for our place in it.

You have given us life that we may love and serve you;
and though we have resisted your purpose and misused your gift,
you have not left us in our sin,
but have sent your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour.

We thank you that for us he became man,
died on the cross,
rose from the dead,
and ascended into heaven;
there he reigns in glory,
and there he prays for us;
and we believe that he will be our judge.

We thank you that you have sent your Holy Spirit
to bring us to a new life in Christ
and give us freedom to call you Father.

Therefore with all the Church on earth and in heaven,
we give you our thanks and praise.

We dedicate ourselves to you;
strengthen us by your Holy Spirit to do your will,
and bring us with all people to your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Intercession: A

Let us pray for all people everywhere according to their need.

Let us pray for the Church of Christ throughout the world:
for its unity in Christ
for the fulfilment of its mission
for all ministers of the gospel
for all Christians here in …

Strengthen your Church to carry forward the work of Christ; that we and all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all the nations and peoples of the world:
for all who serve the common good
for our own country and government, and for all in authority …
for those involved in …

Give wisdom to all in authority; direct this nation and all nations in the ways of justice and peace; that people may honour one another, and seek the common good.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for those we know and love:
for the local community
for our families and friends
for …

Give grace to us, to our families and friends, and to all our neighbours in Christ; that we may serve him in one another, and love as he loves us.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all who suffer:
for the sick
for those who mourn
for those without faith
for those who serve the needy
for …

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Let us remember all who have died, giving thanks especially for those who have died in the faith of Christ.

We commend all people to your unfailing love, that in them your will may be done; and we rejoice at the faithful witness of your saints in every age, praying that we may share with them in your eternal kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, we pray you to cleanse and defend your Church, and to unite us all in a common bond of love and service; that we may show forth your goodness and reveal your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Intercession: B

Let us with one heart and one mind offer our prayers for the whole Church of Christ, and for all people according to their need.

Let us pray
for the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and understanding may grow among the nations and peoples,
for the governments of the nations, that there may be peace and justice among all people,
for all people in their daily life and work, that they may have joy in doing God’s will,
for …

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Let us pray
for all who minister to the suffering, the friendless and the needy, that God’s purposes may be fulfilled,
for our enemies and all who wrong us, that we may bear a Christian witness,
for the suffering, the sorrowful, the aged and the dying, that they may be strengthened and comforted,
for …

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Let us pray
for the whole Church of Christ, that, professing one Lord, one faith and one baptism, all whom Christ calls may live in the unity of the one Spirit,
for all who spread the gospel, that they may draw all men to the Father,
for all who receive God’s Word, that they may reveal his glory,
for …

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We give you thanks and praise for all your saints. Help us, strengthened by their fellowship, to follow their examples, and bring us with them into the fullness of your eternal joy.

Lord God, holy and faithful, you have called us to your service; help us to know and to do your will, that we may be worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Intercession: C

I ask your prayers for God’s family throughout the world,
for all who bear responsibility among his people,
for all ministers of the word and sacraments,
and for all who gather in his name here in …

The Lord hears our prayer.
Thanks be to God.

I ask your prayers for the peace of the world,
for the rulers of all the nations,
for government in accordance with God’s holy will,
and for a just and proper use of the natural resources of the world.

The Lord hears our prayer.
Thanks be to God.

I ask your prayers for the concerns and activities of this congregation and of this neighbourhood,
and for ourselves, our families, friends and neighbours.

The Lord hears our prayer.
Thanks be to God.

I ask your prayers for all in sorrow, need, anxiety or sickness,
for the neglected, the persecuted and the lonely
and for those in any need or trouble.

The Lord hears our prayer.
Thanks be to God.

Let us praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honoured, and pray that we also, inspired by their example, may have grace to glorify Christ.

The Lord hears our prayer.
Thanks be to God.

Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask, help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Intercession: D

Let us pray.

Hear us, Father, as we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
make us all one, so that the world may believe.

We pray that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you:
grant that your name may be glorified by all people.

Guide and strengthen all ministers of your gospel:
make them faithful in your service.

Inspire and lead all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world:
establish justice and peace among all people.

Give us courage to do your will in all that we undertake:
reveal the life of Christ within us.

Have compassion on all who suffer from any sickness, grief or trouble:
deliver them from their distress.

We remember those who have died:
Father, into your hands we commend them.

We praise you for all your saints who have entered your eternal glory:
bring us all to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray in silence for our own needs and for those of others.

Hear us, Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask In the name of your Son;
we pray you to accept and answer our petitions, not as we ask in our Ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: A

Let us give thanks to the Lord:
for his mercy and love are everlasting.

You are worthy to receive our prayers and praises, heavenly Father, eternal Lord God; and with all the Church in heaven and on earth we praise you for your majesty and glory, for your goodness and grace.
We thank you for the wonders of creation,
and for the revelation of yourself to children, women and men:
for your gift of life to us
for your mercy and grace throughout our lives
for the joy of loving and being loved
for all that is true and noble, all that is good and pure.
For these gifts we give you thanks and praise.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

We thank you that you so loved the world
that you sent your Son to be our Saviour,
that whosoever believes in him should have eternal life:
for his dwelling among us full of grace and truth
for his dying for us on the cross
for his rising again to be our eternal priest and king
for his promise that he will come again to be our judge.
For the gift of Jesus Christ we give you thanks and praise.
Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

We thank you for the presence and work of the Holy Spirit:
for creating fellowship in the truth
for sanctifying your family, the Church
for spreading the gospel throughout the world
for revealing the things of Christ.
For the gift of your holy and life-giving Spirit we give you thanks and praise. And so, Father, in his power, we offer ourselves to be a living sacrifice in your service; strengthen us to serve you, and gather us and all women, men and children to your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: B

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God:
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, you are worthy of praise from every creature, and we give you our thanks and praise for your goodness and love.
You formed us in your image,
and set us over the whole world to serve you, our Creator.

But we disobeyed your will, and turned against each other.
Yet you did not leave us.
Again and again you called us to yourself,
and in the fullness of time you sent your only Son
to be our Saviour.
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all your ways.

He came to dwell among us,
and laid down his life for us.
By his death he has destroyed death,
and by his rising again
he has given us eternal life.
In him you have forgiven our sins,
and made us worthy to stand before you.
In him you have brought us out of darkness
into his marvellous light.
Through him you have made all things new.
Glory to you, our Father, for ever and ever.

And that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for you,
through him you sent the Holy Spirit
as your gift to those who believe,
to complete his work on earth
and to lead us into all truth.

Father, through Jesus Christ your Son
we have been accepted and made your children
by water and the Spirit.
So through him, we now offer ourselves again to you to be a living sacrifice to your praise and glory. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: C

Let us with all the company of heaven give thanks to God.

Let us pray.

Father, through Jesus Christ and in the power of your Holy Spirit, receive our thanksgivings:
for the creation of the universe through your Word,
for making humans in your own image and likeness,
for the revelation of your purposes through the law and the prophets,
We give you thanks and praise.

For the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
for his lowly birth of Mary and for his baptism in the Jordan,
for his ministry of preaching, teaching and healing,
We give you thanks and praise.

For his steadfast love in going to Jerusalem,
for his agony in the garden of Gethsemane,
for his suffering and death on the cross,
We give you thanks and praise.

For his resurrection from the dead and his ascension to your right hand in glory,
for his eternal intercession for us,
for his promise of his coming again to be our Judge,
We give you thanks and praise.

For the outpouring of your Spirit on the Church,
for the commissioning of your Church to make disciples,
for the spreading of your kingdom throughout the world,
We give you thanks and praise.

So, Father, we offer ourselves to be a living sacrifice;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
through whom you give us everything that is good,
who, with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit, is God,
living and reigning for ever. Amen.

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Alternative Prayers of Thanksgiving: D

Let us give thanks to God.
Let us pray.

Lord God of all power and might, ruler of all things,
you are worthy to receive glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

At your command all things came to be,
the expanse of the universe and this earth for your creatures to dwell in.
By your will they were created and have their being.

You made humans and blessed us with memory, reason and skill to enjoy and share in all creation.
But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust,
and we turned against one another.
Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Again and again you called us to return;
and in the fullness of time you sent your only Son,
born of a woman,
to die for us and to rise again,
to open for us the way of freedom and peace.
By his blood he reconciled us;
by his wounds we are healed.

Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin,
and have made us a people for your own possession,
exalting him to your right hand on high
and sending upon us your holy and life-giving Spirit.

So, Father, we offer ourselves to you in thanksgiving.
Strengthen us by your Spirit,
and bring us and all men, women and children to your heavenly kingdom.

Accept these prayers and praises
through Jesus Christ our great High Priest,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
your Church gives honour, glory and worship,
from generation to generation, world without end. Amen.

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The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

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