Prayer Page

This beautiful prayer was written by an Italian priest who is self-isolating at the moment and very sadly lost his own brother a few days ago to Covid-19…

I’m staying at home, Lord!

I’m staying at home, Lord! And today, I realise, you taught me this, remaining obedient to the Father, for thirty years in the house of Nazareth, waiting for the great mission.

I stay at home, Lord, and in Joseph’s studio, your keeper and mine, I learn to work, to obey, to round the corners of my life and prepare you a work of art.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And I know that I am not alone because Mary, like any mother, is in the next room, doing chores and preparing lunch for all of us, God’s family.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And I do it responsibly for my own good, for the health of my city, for my loved ones, and for the good of my brother, whom you have put beside me, asking me to take care of him in the garden of life.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the silence of Nazareth, I pledge to pray, to read, study, meditate, be useful for small jobs, in order to make our home more beautiful and more welcoming.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the morning, I thank you for the new day you give me, trying not to spoil it and welcome it with wonder, as a gift and an Easter surprise.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And at noon I will receive the greeting of the angel, I will make myself useful for love, in communion with you who have made you flesh to live among us; and, tired of the journey, thirsty, I will meet you at Jacob’s well, and thirsty for love on the Cross.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And if the evening takes me melancholy, I will invoke you like the disciples of Emmaus: stay with us, the evening has arrived and the sun sets.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And in the night, in communion of prayer with the many sick, the lonely and all the caregivers, I will wait for the dawn to sing your mercy again and tell everyone that, in the storms, you have been my refuge.

I’m staying at home, Lord! And I don’t feel alone and abandoned, because you told me: I’m with you every day. yes, and especially in these days of confusion, O Lord, in which, if my presence is not necessary, I will reach everyone, only with the wings of prayer.

Amen

INTERCESSIONS

Easter Sunday

Lord, as we celebrate your Resurrection in this springtime which feels overshadowed by darkness, help us to continue see the light.

Physically separated from our church family, we miss the building. We miss the smell of incense, the windows, the music. We miss our friends, our exuberant sharing of the Peace, the quiet conversations which sustain us through the week. Help us, Lord, to continue to support each other from afar, and to take that friendship, exuberance, quiet and sustenance into the world.

Separated but together, we pray for victims of Covid-19 everywhere. We pray for health workers endangering their own lives that others might live. For those selling and delivering our food, emptying our dustbins, dispensing our medicine. For the police, and for school staff looking after the children of key workers. We pray for the sick and the bereaved. We pray for those who have lost their livelihoods. We pray for those who are frightened, and lonely.

We pray in the knowledge that we are frightened and lonely.

We rejoice in the news that in some countries, the worst of the danger is passing. We look forward to the day when we will all meet again and celebrate, but for now we pray for patience, and courage, and for the ability to take pleasure in small things: birdsong and blossom, a conversation, an act of kindness.

We pray that when we come together in worship again, we will be stronger.

At this critical time for the world, we do not forget those who are close to us. Comfort and heal all in our community who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord, we hold before you those who have recently died or whose anniversary of passing falls at this time. Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Hail Mary, full of Grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou amongst all women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Amen

Rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints we commend ourselves and all Christian people to your unfailing love.

Happy Easter, everybody.

Holy Saturday

Heavenly Father, you are the source of all life and light.
We thank you that you are the Redeemer,
the one who rescued us out of darkness into the glorious light.
We rejoice that the power of life and light broke the chains of sin and death
and tonight we celebrate that Jesus is alive.
Lord, in these days it feels as though there is a darkness over all the world.
The threat of Covid 19 and the fear of death is all around us.
In the same way that you delivered your people of old from their enemies,
we ask that you will deliver us from the effects of this virus.
May you part the waters in the floods that threaten to overwhelm us.
We ask for your hand of mercy to be on all who you have created
and may your tender compassion be poured out abundantly.
Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens
your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and draw close to the lonely and isolated and fearful.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
In their anxiety, be their light.
May we as your Church rise up and
minister faith to all who are struggling,
giving hope to the hopeless
and love to the brokenhearted.
Equip us we pray by your Spirit to do the work you are calling us to do.
Lord Jesus, we ask that you will come this Easter in a new and fresh way.
Maranatha.
Amen.

GOOD FRIDAY

‘The language God uses is silence
Any other is a bad translation.’

MAUNDY THURSDAY

A PASTORAL PRAYER OF AELRED OF RIEVAULXE
Lord, look at my soul’s wounds, Your living and affective eye sees everything.
It pierces like a sword, even to part asunder soul and spirit.
Assuredly, my lord, you see in my soul the traces of my former sins,
My present sins, my present perils,
And also motives and occasions for others yet to be.

You see these things, Lord, and I would have you see them.
You know well, O searcher of my heart,
That there is nothing in my soul that I would hide from you,
Even had I the power to escape your eyes.

So see me, sweet Lord, see me.
My hope, most merciful, is in your loving kindness.
For you will see me, either as a good physician sees,
Intent upon my healing,
Or else as a kind master, anxious to correct,
Or a forbearing father, longing to forgive.

[Taken from Celebrating the Saints, published by the Church of England.]

5 APRIL 2020

Almighty and Eternal Father, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all that exists, we bring before you our humble petitions through your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

We give thanks and prayers for our Church family, our local community and all other places of worship worldwide.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray for Elizabeth, our gracious Queen and her entire family, for all World leaders and especially our own Government. Grant unto them dear Father, wisdom and guidance to make the right decisions.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

For all those who are facing difficulties in their daily lives, we ask thee to take care of their needs, bring them the joy of your salvation and lead them to get to know you and experience your love and kindness.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Give them courage and hope in their troubles.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

We hold before you, Oh Lord, those who have recently died, or whose anniversary of passing falls at this time.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

Rest eternal grant unto them Oh Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them, may they rest in peace and rise in Glory.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints we commend ourselves and all Christian people to your unfailing love.

Prayers about the outbreak

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.