Let Us Pray
By Janet Nelson
Published in August 1999.

Contents
How to Use the Prayers in Public Worship
Sunday between 28 August and 3 September

How to Use the Prayers in Public Worship

Some explanation of how these prayers can best be used in parish worship might be helpful. Although I have tried to vary petitions from week to week, I have made no attempt to provide an exhaustive list of deserving causes. These prayers are general rather than specific and will not necessarily reflect issues of immediate concern at particular times. I do not believe that the leader of intercessions is responsible for putting into words all the concerns of the congregation, but needs rather to provide a framework within which individuals can expand petitions in ways they wish. It is a good habit to follow general petitions with short periods of silence, which allow all individuals the necessary time and space to make their own prayers.
I hope that these prayers will be appropriate for use in their existing form in parish worship, but there are several simple ways of making them more specific when this is desired. Further petitions can be added, or in some cases it may be more appropriate to remove the general petitions and replace them with something more specific. If this approach is taken it should be done, where possible, in a way that preserves the ‘shape and pattern’ that is an integral part of these prayers.
For example, in the prayers for Sunday 22A
‘We pray for all in places of conflict or hardship, for victims of ethnic and religious hatreds, ideological conflict, economic exploitation or environmental disaster.’
can readily be replaced by
‘We pray for all in places of conflict or hardship, for the peoples of Kosovo and Ireland, the peoples of Papua New Guinea and those suffering from floods in NSW.’
In prayers that are not readily modified in this way, special intentions can be mentioned at the beginning. For example, prayers for Sunday 21A could be prefaced by
‘In our prayers today we remember the peoples of Papua New Guinea and Ireland, the children and teachers of the Sunday School and those who are sick, especially . . . ’
In writing these prayers I have tried to focus on the theme of the readings set down for the day. Some of these themes will occur on more than one Sunday, so some prayers are appropriate for more than one occasion. For instance, the prayers for Sunday 20A and Sunday 23B provide different responses to the story of the Canaanite woman’s encounter with Jesus.
In different traditions of worship, varied styles of intercessory prayer have developed. In the Anglican tradition, with which I am most familiar, it is customary to finish the prayers of intercession with a prayer of thanksgiving for those who have gone before us in the faith, linking ourselves and our prayers to the whole communion of saints. People whose anniversary of death or yearly remembrance or memorial is commemorated will often be remembered by name. Where this is not the custom, parts of the final paragraph of the prayer may be omitted.
There are probably many other leaders of intercessions, who can, like me, find this role a daunting responsibility. I hope these prayers will provide them with a useful resource and an encouragement to write prayers of their own.

Sunday between 28 August and 3 September
[22] Year A, Year B, Year C,


Sunday between 28 August and 3 September [22]
Year A
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Holy God, in every age you have heard the cries of your people and come to deliver them. Hear us now as we bring our prayers for your world and your church.
We pray for all in places of conflict or hardship, for victims of ethnic and religious hatreds, ideological conflict, economic exploitation or environmental disaster.
Deliver us from hostility and greed, that we may share with justice the bounty of the earth and live peaceably with all people.
Holy God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your church, for your followers in every land, for the churches of this community, for your ministers and people who worship in this place and all who bring your love to others.
Deliver your church from discord and apathy, that setting aside all that would keep us from you, we may faithfully proclaim your gospel.
Holy God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our community, for our families and friends, for those with whom we work and learn, for those with political and legal authority and for those who are unnoticed and unheard.

Deliver us from prejudice and self-interest, that we may be a loving and hospitable community.
Holy God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for all in need, for the homeless and the hungry, the rejected and the lonely, for those weighed down by anxiety, grief or pain. We pray for the sick and for all who care for them.
Deliver us from bitterness and despair, from callousness and indifference, that we may have strength to bear our own adversity, and with generous hearts share the joys and sorrows of your people.
Holy God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give thanks for the lives of your faithful people, for all who have followed you to their life’s end.
May we, with your disciples of every age, take up our cross and follow you, that, being prepared to give not less than all for you, we may find eternal treasure in your presence.
Holy God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sunday between 28 August and 3 September [22]
Year B
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-23

God our Lover and our Beloved, you call us to draw near to you; hear us when we come to you with our prayers for your people.
We pray for your world, for leaders of nations and for all people, that we may learn to live in harmony with each other and with the created world.
We give you thanks
for every initiative for peace,
for every work of justice,
for every act of mercy.

Giver of every perfect gift, for your love and goodness,
we give you thanks and praise.
We pray for your church, its clergy and people, that we may hear your word, do your will and faithfully proclaim your gospel in the world.
We give you thanks
for every gift of grace,
for every word of pardon,
for every work of faith.
Giver of every perfect gift, for your love and goodness,
we give you thanks and praise.
We pray for all who live and work in this community, for our families and our friends, that we may live in love for you and for each other.

We give you thanks
for every word of welcome,
for every act of generosity,
for every work of service.
Giver of every perfect gift, for your love and goodness,
we give you thanks and praise.
We pray for all in need, the lonely and the bereaved, the sick and the dying, and those who care for them, that they may find strength in their adversity and relief from their pain.
We give you thanks
for every life of courage,
for every word of comfort,
for every deed of kindness.
Giver of every perfect gift, for your love and goodness,
we give you thanks and praise.

We remember all who have died in your love, your faithful people of every age and those of this parish who have gone before us to everlasting life.
God our Lover and our Beloved, we give you thanks that in death, as in life, you long to draw us to yourself; open our hearts to respond to your insistent call, that, with all your saints, we may arise and enter joyfully into your presence.
Giver of every perfect gift, for your love and goodness,
we give you thanks and praise.

Sunday between 28 August and 3 September [22]
Year C
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1 (2-6) 7-14

Most merciful God, we give you thanks that you esteem those who are of small account in the eyes of the world.
We pray for your people who are used and abused:
for those whose labours or bodies are exploited to make others rich;
for those whose lands are stolen or pillaged by the greedy.
In your mercy lead us in your ways of justice and peace, that we may do what is pleasing in your eyes and share with all your people the riches you provide.
God of grace, hear the prayers we offer.

Most merciful God, we give you thanks that you welcome us all to membership of your church, inviting us all to eat at your banquet.
We pray for your people whom the church does not value:
for those whose voices are not listened to;
for those whose gifts and vocations are not recognised.
In your mercy lead us in your ways of righteousness and truth, that we may do what is pleasing in your eyes and proclaim your glory in the world.
God of grace, hear the prayers we offer.

Most merciful God, we give you thanks that you meet us in the ordinariness of daily life, that we find you in those with whom we live and work.
We pray for your people whom we neglect or reject:
for the disabled, the aged, the mentally ill and those we lock away;
for those whose contributions to society are unnoticed or unvalued.
In your mercy lead us in your ways of forgiveness and reconciliation, that we may do what is pleasing in your eyes and live in love for you and for one another.
God of grace, hear the prayers we offer.

Most merciful God, we give you thanks that you care for the desolate, the poor, the friendless and those in prison.
We pray for your people who are suffering hardship:
for those imprisoned in unresponsive bodies or disturbed minds;
for the sick and the dying and for those who mourn.
In your mercy lead us in your ways of care and compassion, that we may do what is pleasing in your eyes and bring comfort and healing to your people.
God of grace, hear the prayers we offer.

Most merciful God, we give you thanks that you promise us everlasting life.
We remember your faithful people of every generation, especially those whom we have loved.
In your mercy lead us in your ways, that with your people of every age we may be welcomed to the heavenly Jerusalem as guests at your eternal banquet.
God of grace, hear the prayers we offer.

Contents
Foreword iv
Introduction v
How to use prayers in public worship vii
Acknowledgements ix

Prayers
Sundays in Advent 2
Christmas 26
Sundays after Christmas 32
Epiphany and Sundays after Epiphany 40
Ash Wednesday 86
Sundays in Lent 88
The Transfiguration 100
Palm Sunday 124
Maundy Thursday 126
Good Friday 128
Easter Day 130
Evening of Easter Day 132
Sundays of Easter 136
Ascension 164
Day of Pentecost 172
Trinity Sunday 178
Ordinary Time 184
The Reign of Christ 334

Prayers for Some Special Occasions
Holy Innocents 342
Australia Day 344
The Annunciation 346
The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth 348
Mary Magdalene 350
Mary, the Mother of Jesus 352
Francis of Assisi 354
All Saints 356

Scriptural Index 360