PRAYERS AND GIVING

THANKS

For the Queen and all who rule under her.

LET us pray for the Queen and all who rule under her.

The ruler shall be glad in your strength, O God;

Very glad shall he be of your saving power.

ALMIGHTY God, from you all goodness comes, we humbly pray you to bless our ruling Lady Queen ELIZABETH, the Parliaments of the lands she rules over, and all who rule under her, that they may order all things in peace wisely and rightly and to the glory of your holy Name and the good of your Church, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
For the Commonwealth.

LET us pray for the Commonwealth.

This God is our God for ever and ever;

He shall be our guide till death.

ALMIGHTY God, you rule over all men, and you have given to our Commonwealth great power in many parts of the world, draw together we pray you in true union the men of different races, languages and customs, who come under it, that bearing one another's loads and working together in love as brothers, they may carry out your plans and help to bring about your everlasting rule. Forgive us we pray you, our sins and failures; keep us from thinking only of ourselves and from pride; give us power to use your good gifts of order and freedom to your glory and the good of all men, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all glory and rule for ever and ever. Amen.

 
LET us pray for all Rulers and Leaders.

Send them help from your holy place;

And always protect them with your power.

GRANT, O Lord, to our Rulers and Leaders, that they may rule over us with justice and love, and daily seek their wisdom from you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
LET us pray for the National Parliament.

Commit your way unto the Lord;

And put your trust in him.

MOST kind God, we humbly pray you for the National Parliament (meeting at this time): guide and bless them in all that they talk about, that it may be to your glory and the good of your Church and the people of these islands; that by them all things may stand upon the best and strongest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and your service may be set up among us for all times. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

 
    A Prayer for the Government which may be said in the Republic of Vanuatu.

ALMIGHTY God, from you all goodness comes, we humbly pray you to bless President, the Prime Minister and all members of the Government, that they may order all things in peace wisely and rightly, to the glory of your holy Name and the good or your Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For the Bishops.

I am the good Shepherd.

  The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

GOD our Father, we pray you to send down your bless ing on our Bishops to whom you have given the care of your sheep. May your Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, refresh and strengthen them in body and soul, and give them wisdom and understanding to guide and keep your church in the right way, to the glory of your holy Name, who live and rule with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

For the Church in Melanesia.

LET us pray for the Church of Melanesia.

ALMIGHTY God, for you the islands wait, send down your blessing on the Church of Melanesia, on the bishops, priests and deacons, the brothers, sisters and catechists, on the doctors, nurses and all workers with the sick, on the teachers and the students in our colleges and schools, on the crews of our ships, on those who work in our offices, workshops and printing press.

    Guide them, Lord, in all difficult times, keep them safe in all dangers, strengthen them in all troubles, and give them such sure trust in you that they may serve you without fear.

    Lord of the harvest, send out more workers into your garden, guide by your Holy Spirit those who are fit for this work, that they may be willing to offer themselves to serve you, and by you be helped to glorify your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LET us pray for the . . . . Synod (Council).

   With God is wisdom and strength;

       He shall give counsel and understanding.

GUIDE, we pray you, God, with the light of your Holy Spirit, the bishops, clergy and laity in the . . . . Synod (Council), that they may wisely talk together tor the good of your Church and the glory of your Name: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For Clergy and People.

LET us pray for the Clergy and People.

   Let your priests put on holiness;

      And let your saints sing for joy.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from you alone glorious things do come, send down upon our bishops, priests and deacons and all your people given into their care, the saving spirit of your power, and that they may truly please you pour down always on them the dew of your blessing: for the honour of him who is praying for us and bringing us to you, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
For catechisis and readers.

Happy is the man whose trust is in you

In his heart are your way's.

GOD, we ask you to give your love and power to all catechists and readers. Protect them in times of loneliness or temptation. Help them to have true fellowship with the people whom they serve, that they may pray, live and work together in peace and happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
Ember Days.

LET us pray for those to be made deacons and priests.

Let your priests put on holiness;

And let your saints sing for joy.

ALMIGHTY God, the Giver of all good gifts, you have set different kinds of ministry in your Church, we humbly pray you to give your power to all those who are to be called to any kind of rule and work in the same, and so fill them with the truth of your teaching and give them the power of an innocent life that they may serve you well, to the glory of your Name and the good of your holy Church, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For the heathen.

LET us pray that all in the world may come to obey the rule of Christ.

Tell his Name to the heathen;

    And the great things he has done to all people.

GOD of all the peoples of the world, remember the great numbers of the heathen who were made in your likeness but do not know your love, and because of forgiveness of sins through your Son Jesus Christ grant that the prayers and work of your holy Church may set them free from all heathen ways and from not trusting in you; and bring them to worship you, through him whom you sent to save us, who is the rising again from death, and the life of all who trust you, the same your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

  
How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace;

And bring joyful news of good things.

GOD, our heavenly Father, you showed your love by sending your only Son into the world that all might live through him; pour your Spirit upon your Church that it may obey his command to preach the good news to every man; send out, we pray you, labourers into your harvest; keep them in all dangers and temptations; and quickly bring the time when all the heathen shall be brought in, and all Israel shall be saved; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth;

For I am God, and there is no other God.

HOLY Father, have mercy upon us, and bless the work of all your Church; seek and save the lost, convert the sinful, teach those who do not know you, help the weak, strengthen the faithful, and look with pity upon all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    
Ask me and I shall give you the heathen to belong to you;

And the farthest parts of the world shall be yours.

GOD you have made of one blood all nations of men to have their home in this world, and you sent your blessed Son Jesus Christ to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near, may all the peoples of the world feel after you and find you, and bring nearer the time of your promise to pour out your Spirit on all men, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I, if I am lifted up, will draw all men to me;

    Thanks be to God.

BLESSED Saviour, you promised that when you were lifted up you would draw all men to yourself, grant that all the heathen may look to you and be saved. Amen.

 
For the poor and those in trouble.

Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience;

    By the things which he suffered.

LORD Jesus, you are love, and you see all the suffering and injustice which are in the world; have pity, we pray you; look mercifully on the poor and those who are kept down, and on all who are in sorrow; fill our hearts with deep pity for those who suffer, and make your kingdom of justice and mercy come quickly; who live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit; one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For peace and unity.

LET us pray that all Christians may live in peace and unity.

See, brothers, how good and glad a thing it is;

    To live together in unity.

LORD Jesus Christ you said to your Apostles, "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you," look not on our sins but the faith of your church and give it the peace and unity that you want, who live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

OR

GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of peace, help us to think deeply in our hearts of the great dangers we are in because of our unhappy divisions. Take away all hate, and unfair judgement of others and anything else that keeps us from holy union and coming together, that as there is one body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may come to be of one heart, and of one mind, bound together in holy truth and peace, in faith and love; and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
LET us pray for the peace of the world.

The Lord remains a King for ever;

    The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

ALMIGHTY God, from you come all thoughts of truth and peace; we pray you, set on fire the hearts of all men with the love of peace; and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who plan for the nations of the earth; that in quietness your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
For those to be baptised.

LET us pray for those to be baptised, as adults.

Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit;

He cannot enter the kingdom of God.

ALMIGHTY and kind God we pray you to look kindly on all who are preparing for your holy baptism. Give them true change of heart and help them to see their sins. Help them truly to believe in your Son Jesus Christ, and to learn your will that they may be born again in the water of baptism and counted among your true children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  
For those to be confirmed.

LET us pray for those to be confirmed.

Let your loving Spirit lead them;

Into the land of holiness.

GOD through the teaching of your son Jesus Christ you prepared the disciples for the coming of the Giver of Power, make ready, we pray you, the hearts and minds of your servants who at this time are seeking the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, that coming with penitent and believing hearts they may be filled with the power of God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
For those about to be married.

A man will leave his father and mother;

And be joined to his wife.

AMIGHTY Father, we ask you to give your blessing to all those who are about to be married (especially ............................) May they think carefully and wisely before they come before you to make their promises to one another. Pour on them your love, so that they may grow nearer to each other and nearer to you. May they be truly one, and be faithful to each other until the end of their lives, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

For Colleges and Schools.

LET us pray for all Colleges and Schools.

The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;

And to turn from evil is understanding.

BE pleased, Lord, to bless all colleges and schools that they may do well, and that all who serve in them as teachers or learners may set your holy will ever before them, and be led to know your truth, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
Fear God and keep his commandments;

For this is the whole duty of man.

LORD Jesus Christ, Child of Bethlehem, bless all the boys and girls of our schools, that they may be truthful, pure and obedient, and that they may be ready to do their duty in the life to which you shall call them. Give grace to their teachers that they may faithfully bring them up to serve you, that teachers and children may meet with joy in the day of your coming. Amen.

 
For young people.

Jesus grew up, both in body and in wisdom,

Gaining favour with God and men.

GOD, we ask you to send your blessing on all young people (especially the members of our youth organizations) May they enjoy to the full all the good things you have made, and use them rightly, thinking of others as well as themselves. Give them strength to work together to make this world a better place, where peace and love may be shared by all men, according to your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For those who travel by sea.

LET us pray for those who travel by sea

   These men see what the Lord does;

      The wonderful things he does in the deep sea.

ETERNAL God you alone spread out the sky and rule the raging of the sea, be pleased to keep safe all those who go down to the sea in our ships, and do their work in its great waters.. . . . . . . . . . . Keep them safe both in body and soul, help them to do what they plan; in all time of danger defend them, and bring them to the harbour where they hope to be, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, Ruler over land and sea, we humbly ask you to guard your servants, the captain, officers and crew of the "Southern Cross" and of our other ships. and all who sail in them. Guard them from the dangers of the sea; from hidden rocks and from storms; from sickness and all evil. May they bear witness to your truth, and by their work bring many to honour and love your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For Church Associations and Church Committees.

All things come from you, OLord,

And we give back what is yours.

GOD, we ask you to bless the work of all church Associations and Church Committees, (especially................. ) May our people work willingly to support their Church and give freely of their time and of what they have, to make your work go forward. May those who take care of Church money be wise and careful, always using it rightly for the good of your Church and people, and to help those who are in need. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For religious communities.

Take up your cross every day

And follow me.

GOD, you call some of your people to leave their homes and to live together in communities as Brothers and Sisters. Bless all communities working among us (especially .........................) Keep all Brothers and Sisters faithful to their promises and help us all to do your will, after the example of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For our homes.

LET us pray for our homes.

Give yourself to the Lord;

And put your trust in him.

ALMIGHTY God, look down with kindness on all who are gathered here. Shield our homes from all sickness and hunger, from fire and storm, from earthquake and accident. But most of all help us that we may all do right, praising you for telling us of your love, and praying for all in our islands who do not know you. Give us what we ask, Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
For rain

LET us pray for rain.

HEAVENLY Father, as you gave rain in answer to the prayer of your prophet Elijah, so now hear the prayers of your people, and give us such rain as you see us to need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
For the work of men.

LET us pray for God's blessing on the food of the ground and the work of men.

The eyes of all look to you, O Lord;

And you give them their food at the right time.

BLESS, we pray you, O Lord, all who work in the gardens or fish in the sea that we may safely gather in the food of the gardens and of the waters; may all planters and traders and those who work on ships or plantations receive fair pay for their work, and praise you by living as you would have them live, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
For the sick and those in pain.

LET us pray for the sick and those in pain.

He heals those who are broken in heart;

And gives medicine to heal their sickness.

ALMIGHTY Father, Giver of life and health, look kindly, we pray you on those who are sick and in pain, (especially ................) that by your blessing on them and on those who take care of them, they may become well again in body and mind and give thanks to you in your holy Church, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
LET us pray for the dying.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was;

And the spirit shall return to God who gave it.

LORD Jesus Christ, in your last suffering you gave your spirit into the hands of your heavenly Father; have mercy upon all who are sick and dying, (especially ..............................); and help them to make their peace with you before they die. Amen.

 
For those who have died in faith.

LET us remember before God those who have died in faith.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord;

Yes, says the Spirit, for they rest from their work.

GOD, the GOD of the spirits of all men, we pray you give freely to those who rest in Jesus the many blessings of your love, that the good work which you here began in them may be finished in the day of Jesus Christ. Kind Father in heaven, may we, who now serve you here on earth, be found fit at the last to share with them the life of the saints in light, through the same your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

 
For all sorts of men, according to their needs.

LET us pray for all men, for what each of them needs.

The Lord loves every man;

And is kind to all he has made.

LORD, you have made all men and watch over them all, we humbly pray you for all sorts of men, that it may please you to make your way known to them, and your saving power to all peoples. And most of all we pray that all may be well with the Catholic Church, that it may be so guided and ruled by your good Spirit that all who call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and be one in the faith, living together in peace and holiness of life. And also loving Father, we trust to your goodness all who are in trouble or pain, in mind or body, or having hard times, that you would cheer them and help them in whatever each may need, helping them to bear their troubles, and in the end to come happily out of them all, and this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Giving thanks for all men.

LET us give thanks.

Let us bless the Lord;

Thanks be to God.

ALMIGHTY God, our loving Father, we have not been good servants but we do most humbly and truly thank you for all your goodness and kindness to us and to all men (and we thank you most of all for ............................) We bless you for giving us life and keeping us alive and for all the blessings of this life, but most of all for your love, which is more than we can understand, in saving the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the gifts of power and for the hope of glory. And we pray you that we may feel in our hearts all your kindness, and praise you not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to work for you, and by living holy and good lives all our days, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit we give all honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 
Giving thanks for the Saints.

Those who trust in the Lord live for ever;

The Lord shall reward them.

GOD, of the Spirits of all men, we praise and glorify your great Name for all your servants who have finished their life on earth fearing and believing in you, for holy men and prophets of old times, for the blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles and Martyrs, and for all other true servants of yours known or not known by us, and we pray you that with courage from their examples, and strength from their friendship, we also may be found fit to share in the life of the saints in light, through the saving power of the life and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
Giving thanks for the harvest.

LET us thank God for the harvest.

MERCIFUL Father, of your goodness you hear the prayers of your Church, and have let us gather in the fruits of the earth; we give you humble thanks for these your gifts. May we use them rightly for our own good, and for the help of those who are in need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OTHER PRAYERS

REMEMBER, Lord, what you have done in us and not what we deserve, and as you have called us to serve you, make us fit for what you called us to do, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

LORD, hold us up all the day long in this life of trouble, till the shadows grow long and the evening comes, and the busy world grows quiet, and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then Lord in your mercy give us a safe home and holy rest and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

CLEANSE us, Lord, and keep us clean, that we may be among those blessed ones who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and stand before you, serving you day and night in your holy house, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

LORD you have warned us that you will ask much of those to whom much is given, may we, who have received so much from our fathers before us, work the more with every power given to us to spread the blessings of your rule, and as we have followed up the work of others, so to work that other men in their turn may follow up ours, to glorify you and do your holy will, who have given to each of us his work to do till you come, whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit we honour and glorify for ever and ever. Amen.

ALMIGHTY Father, may we be brave, holding fast what is good, giving back to no man evil for evil, giving strength to those who are afraid, holding up the weak, helping those in trouble, giving honour to all men, loving and serving the Lord, full of joy in the power of the Holy Spirit, who with you and your Son lives and rules, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

TEACH us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to notice the wounds; to toil and not to look for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward; except the reward of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
FOR ABSENT FRIENDS.

(Lady Martin's Prayer).

LORD our God, you are in every place and no space of land or sea can ever separate us from you, we know that those who are far from each other are still with you, and we pray you to keep in your holy care those dear ones from whom we now are separated, that both they and we comng nearer to you, may come nearer to each other, held together by the unseen chain of your love, in the holy union of your Saints, so that whether or not, as seems best to you, king of heaven, we meet together again here on earth, we may surely meet again at the rising again of the just, and go in together to that house of many rooms which you have prepared for them that truly love you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.