Prayers of the People/Intercession on Sickness
We ask you, God, to help and defend us. Deliver the oppressed, pity the insignificant, raise the fallen, show yourself to the needy, heal the sick, bring back those of your people who have gone astray, feed the hungry, lift up the weak, and take off the prisoners’ chains. May every nation come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your child, that we are your people, the sheep that you pasture. Amen.
Clement of Rome
Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep [tonight],
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ,
rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And all for your love’s sake, Amen.
Augustine of Hippo, Evening Prayer, Language adapted for Corporate Worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.
God of all mercies, Father Jesus and our Father–You know us intimately … and you still love us immensely. Therefore, we come confident of your welcoming embrace, your gracious attention and your loving action responding to our needs … and those we care about. We pray, therefore, …For those who are ill or injured, who are recovering from or anticipating surgery this week. We ask for you to heal them, Lord; to arrest advancing cancers, to heal torn tendons and broken bones; to clean out infections and knit together new knees with natural bone and sinew.
Clear congested lungs and hearts, Lord. Cure flu. Lift flagging spirits and encourage tired care-givers. For the ones who mourn today, for whom grief is fresh, personal and real: we ask you to comfort them, Lord.
Comfort them with Your presence and the power of Your resurrection. Surround them with your people to lend a hand to help, a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. For the lonely–that you provide a companion, a friend, and the presence of your Holy Spirit as the Comforter. For the addicted–that You will set them free from their self-made prison.
For the poor–that you provide safety, sustenance and shelter; and that you would grant justice for victims of injustice, and hope to those without it. For our nation–may we be and become “one nation, under God, “where there is truly “liberty and justice for all.” Make us wise people and good stewards of blessings you’ve bestowed on this land.
Guide our leaders in your ways that are holy, true and just; give them courage to both walk in those ways and lead us in paths of righteousness. And for your church–in this country, and around the world: make us light in a dark world–living lives of love and grace, holiness and truth. Keep us faithful when it’s easier to give in and become like everybody else.
And where it’s not just hard, but dangerous, to be a believer, we pray for you to protect our brothers and sisters and keep them loyal to the gospel. This all–and more that’s still unspoken–we pray in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
Episcopalian Prayers of the People, Form I
Deacon or other leader
With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the
Lord, saying “Lord, have mercy.”
For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God,
and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the Holy Church
of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray
to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in
authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this city (town, village, ), for every city and
community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to
the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of
the earth, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the good earth which God has given us, and for the
wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who travel on land, on water, or in the air [or
through outer space], let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and
for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For , let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the
destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who
remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for
all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and
degradation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us
pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without
suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Defend us, deliver us, and in thy compassion protect us, O
Lord, by thy grace.
Lord, have mercy.
In the communion of [ and of all the] saints, let
us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to
Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord our God.
Silence.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Episcopalian Prayer of the People, Form II
In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world;
for our Bishop(s) ; for this gathering; and for all
ministers and people.
Pray for the Church.
Silence
I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations;
and for the well-being of all people.
Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the
oppressed, and those in prison.
Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper
knowledge of him.
Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the departed [especially ].
Pray for those who have died.
Silence
Members of the congregation may ask the prayers or the thanksgivings of those present.
I ask your prayers for .
I ask your thanksgiving for .
Silence
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored
[especially whom we remember today].
Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Silence
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Episcopalian Prayers of the People, Form IV
Deacon or other leader
Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may
be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal
your glory in the world.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the
ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another
and serve the common good.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation,
that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others
and to your honor and glory.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant
that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he
loves us.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
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.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will
for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share
with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Episcopalian Prayers of the People, Form V
Deacon or other leader
In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy”
(or “Kyrie eleison”).
For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth
and love, and be found without fault at the day of your
coming, we pray to you, O Lord.
Here and after every petition the People respond
Kyrie eleison. or Lord, have mercy.
For N. our Presiding Bishop, for N. (N.) our own Bishop(s),
for all bishops and other ministers, and for all the holy people
of God, we pray to you, O Lord.
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our
divisions may cease, and that all may be one as you and the
Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may
preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O
Lord.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost
their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we
pray to you, O Lord.
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and
forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray
to you, O Lord.
For those in positions of public trust [especially ],
that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and
freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord.
For all who live and work in this community [especially
____________], we pray to you, O Lord.]]
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use
of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from
poverty, famine, and disaster, we pray to you, O Lord.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for
refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may
be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.
For this congregation [for those who are present, and for
those who are absent], that we may be delivered from
hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all that we
do, we pray to you, O Lord.
For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all
whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, O Lord.
For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the
grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O
Lord.
For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for
our families, friends, and neighbors; that being freed from
anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we pray to
you, O Lord.
For ___________, we pray to you, O Lord.
For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and
those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the
saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain
or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of [the ever-blessed Virgin Mary,
(blessed N.) and] all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another,
and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.
Silence
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect, or the following Doxology
For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and
for ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Episcopalian Prayers of the People, Form VI
The Leader and People pray responsively
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who
are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the
needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For [N. our Presiding Bishop, and N. (N.) our Bishop(s); and
for] all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in
your eternal kingdom.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Leader and People
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Prayer for the Poor and the Neglected
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Prayer for a Sick Person
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant N. for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Prayers of the People (General)
O Lord, we are aware of how much we need you, and how much the world needs you. We yearn for your guidance and strength. We pray for your intervention and for your kingdom to come.
Today we lift up those in our community who need your healing and comfort. For those who grieve, those receiving treatment, and those who live in fear. Bring peace to their hearts and bring them words of encouragement from those who know them best.
We pray for people in leadership roles across our country: for political leaders, educators, and faith leaders; for leaders of companies and nonprofits and community organizations. We pray for the leaders among us–for you to give them the guidance they need, and that you will remind them to take time to rest, reflect, and abide with Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep.
We pray for those who feel lost, alone, unseen and unheard. Lord, may your Holy Spirit move in their lives. Open their ears to hear and their eyes to see You at work. Break down anything that may hinder their ability to feel your presence, we pray.
We pray for brothers and sisters around the world, whose lives are torn apart by war, oppression, and corruption. And we lift up those who are obeying your call to share your gospel in difficult places. Make us aware of the needs outside of our own personal circles and bless us with the words to pray for situations that our hearts may not be able to comprehend. We find hope knowing that You see these people and you know them by name.
Lord we are so very grateful, and we rest in Your promises, knowing that Jesus died for us and he intercedes for us. Keep us strong in our faith as we walk forward to share the light and hope of Christ in all we say and in all we do.
We pray all this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Ellen Dawson