Prayer Centre 

If you, or someone you know is ill, anxious or having other problems, prayer can be a great comfort and support. On every 4th Sunday, after the 10.00 o’clock service, there is the opportunity to bring your concerns to God. Two people from our prayer ministry team will pray with or for you in a discreet area of the church. Just come along, or for further information contact Margaret Cox, 01923 460183 or margaretacox@googlemail.com.
 
If you prefer,  prayer support is also provided by our Prayer Fellowship, which is a group of church members who, in complete confidentiality, will say regular prayers on behalf, of yourself or someone you know. To add someone, or for more information, contact: Jane Brading janebrading@hotmail.com
 
As ever, if you would like to talk with someone about your worries then, in the first instance, contact our Vicar, Robert, in complete confidentiality on 01923 332 244 or vicar@stoswaldschurch.org.uk.

Prayers for a Pandemic

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
 
As it is written: 
‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8.35-39) 

A prayer about the Corona virus 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. Amen. 

For those in isolation

God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For those who are worried/social cohesion

Loving Jesus, you are compassionate to those in need and heal the sick in body and mind. Look kindly on those who are fearful at this time. Help us all to put away all thoughts and actions that separate us from you and from one another. Give us grace to live our lives confident in your promise that you are with us always. Amen.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to care for the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen. 

For those who are ill

Merciful God, we entrust to your unfailing and tender care, those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold us safe. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For hospital staff and medical researchers

Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From one who is ill or isolated

O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for when you can't get to church

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your care. Amen.
 
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
From St Patrick’s Breastplate

  

I am giving you worship with all my life,
I am giving you obedience with all my power,
I am giving you praise with all my strength,
I am giving you honour with all my speech.
I am giving you love with all my heart,
I am giving you affection with all my sense,
I am giving you my being with all my mind,
I am giving you my soul,
O most high and holy God.     
Praise to the Father,
Praise to the Son,
Praise to the Spirit,
The Three in One. 
Adapted from Alexander Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica (1900)

  

Lord Jesus Christ,
son of the living God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
The ‘Jesus Prayer’  

After a time of prayer:

Be with us, Lord, in all our prayers, and direct our way toward the attainment of salvation, that among the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may always be defended by your gracious help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Common Worship Main Volume: Endings for Intercession

  

O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
and a life to proclaim you,
through the power of the spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
St Benedict

  

Soul of Christ, sanctify me,
body of Christ, save me,
blood of Christ, inebriate me,
water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me:
hide me within your wounds
and never let me be separated from you.
From the wicked enemy defend me,
in the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you,
so that with your saints I may praise you
for ever and ever.
Anima Christi

Short passages of Scripture for reading and contemplation

Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and my salvation
Psalm 46: Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 91: He shall cover you with his wings
Psalm 139: O Lord, you have searched me out
Isaiah 43 (esp vv.1-7): Do not fear
John 14: Do not let your hearts be troubled 

A children’s prayer for when a friend is ill

Dear God, (name of friend) is ill. They are not allowed to go to school or come over to play. I’m sad because I miss them. They must be feeling miserable and lonely as well. Please be close to them. Please be with the people who are looking after them. Please help them to get better and to know that you love them. Amen.

A prayer for the world

God of love and hope, you made the world and care for all creation. But the world feels strange right now. The news is full of stories about Coronavirus. Many people are anxious because of it. Many people are anxious that they might get ill. Many people are anxious about their family and friends. Be with them in their worries and help them to find some peace. We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists who are working to discover the right medicines to give hope to those who are ill. Thank you that even in these strange and worrying times, you are with us. Help us to look for the signs of your goodness and love towards us. Amen.

A prayer at bedtime

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the World, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
 
Tonight we pray especially for (names family or friends who are affected by Coronavirus) and the people of (country or place which is affected by Coronavirus). Give skill and wisdom to all who are caring for them. Amen. 

A prayer remembering God is with us

Lord God, you are always with me.
You are with me in the day and in the night.
You are with me when I’m happy and when I’m sad.
You are with me when I’m healthy
and when I am ill.
You are with me when I am peaceful
and when I am anxious.

 

Today I am feeling (name how you are feeling) because (reasons you are feeling this way).
Help me to remember that you love me and are with me in everything today. Amen. 

From our recent services

Following our most recent Spotlight service, where we take a look at a contemporary issue from a Christian perspective, when we looked at work (paid, volunteer or at home), we wanted to share this resource, that may help you during your life.

http://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/faith-at-work/work-related-prayers

We also offer below a selection of prayers for a variety of personal situations, which we hope you may find helpful: 

For the healing of memory

Loving God,
you are merciful and forgiving.
Grant that those who are suffering the hurts of the past
may experience your generous love.
Heal their memories, comfort them,
and guide them through their lives
renewed and hopeful;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer for God's guidance

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we ask you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies
in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,
we may be  preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

For dealing with a difficult situation

Sovereign God,
the defence of those who trust in you
and the strength of those who suffer:
look with mercy on our affliction
and deliver us through our mighty Saviour Jesus Christ.

For those who are lonely

O God, our sovereign and our shepherd,
who brought again your Son Jesus Christ from the valley of death,
comfort us with your protecting presence
and your angels of goodness and love,
that we also may come home
and dwell with him in your house for ever.

Abide with us, Lord, for it is evening,
and day is drawing to a close.
Abide with us and with your whole Church,
in the evening of the day,
in the evening of life,
in the evening of the world;
abide with us and with all your faithful ones, O Lord,
in time and in eternity. Amen.

For justice

Living God,
deliver us from a world without justice
and a future without mercy;
in your mercy, establish justice,
and in your justice, remember the mercy
revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

For growth and transformation

Almighty God,
in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord our God.
How sweet are your words to the taste,
sweeter than honey to the mouth.
How precious are your commands for our life,
more than the finest gold in our hands.
How marvellous is your will for the world,
Unending is your love for the nations.
Our voices shall sing of your promises
and our lips declare your praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

For those who feel guilt

Give us honest hearts, O God,
and send your kindly Spirit
to help us confess our sins
and bring us the peace of your forgiveness;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

For those in pain

Lord God, whose Son, Jesus Christ,
understood people's fear and pain
before they spoke of them,
we pray for those in hospital;
surround the frightened with your tenderness;
give strength to those in pain;
hold the weak in your arms of love,
and give hope and patience
to those who are recovering;
we ask this through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For those who mourn

Father, you know our hearts and share our sorrows.
We are hurt by our parting from those whom we loved:
when we are angry at the loss we have sustained,
when we long for words of comfort,
yet find them hard to hear,
turn our grief to truer living,
our affliction to firmer hope
in Jesus Christ our Lord.