Invitation to Prayer
INVITATION TO PRAY TOGETHER (Scroll down for Prayer Guides)
(Wherever you are…)
Your Parish Council would like to invite us all into a regular pattern of prayer - together! This is a way for us to pause, midweek, whatever we are doing in our lives to join our hearts together in prayer.
What:
1 hour (or as much as you can realistically spend of that hour) praying for ourselves, the church and the world
When:
Every Wednesday, noon - 1pm (eastern time, or whatever works for you if you are in another timezone)
Where:
Wherever you are! This is your invitation to pause in your workday whether it’s at home or in an office or school or anywhere else in the world, knowing that your friends and church family are gathering with you in the same spirit. Bonus: if you are inclined and able to join with another during this time, please feel free! Perhaps you could meet with a friend, share a phone call or zoom, or whatever creative way you want to be together “in person”. If you can’t be with anyone else, know you’ll be with us in spirit.
Why:
Praying is a discipline and a joy, and unites us with one another, and forms us into the image of Christ. There are so many things to pray for!
How:
We’ll start by offering you a set of collects which you can use as a springboard for your own prayers. You can hold any/all of your concerns in silence, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and we havre a list of resources if you would like to use a simple liturgy during this time. Stay tuned, as we will have seasonal adjustments to help us follow the rhythm of the liturgical and the natural calendar!
Prayers
Ourselves and Our Families and Our Friends
Almighty God, we entrust ourselves, and our families and friends to your never-failing care and love, knowing that you are doing for us and for them better things than we even know to pray for. Encourage the downcast, heal the sick, enlighten those who walk in darkness, and give us all a living sense of your goodness, for Jesus Christ’s sake. We pray especially for ________.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
The Church
Strengthen and confirm the faithful; protect and guide the children; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the misguided; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of your truth and love. And we pray for Trinity, that it would be a place of welcome, a refuge of healing, a school for souls and a life-giving spring, through Jesus Christ, our strength and our salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Our Nation
Grant to our President, the Governor of this Commonwealth, leaders of other nations, and to all in authority, humility, wisdom and strength to fear You, O God, and respect people, creation and all life. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them continually mindful of their calling to serve people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
The World
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people, the true love of peace; and with your pure and peaceable wisdom, guide those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray especially for _______.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
The Creation
O merciful Creator, you have filled the world with beauty. Your loving hand is wide open to satisfy the needs of every living creature. Pour out your Spirit on all people everywhere that we would honor you and be faithful stewards of your creation. Save us from selfish use of what you provide, that the land and the sea would yield their increase and the poor and needy would marvel at your provision, giving thanks to your Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Resources
Resources for mid-day Liturgies (most are fairly simple and can be done quickly as needed, or savored if you have the tine).
Book of Common Prayer:
mid-day prayer (p.33)
family prayer at mid-day (p. 69)
Celtic Daily Prayer
Midday Prayer (p. 19)
Praying the Hours in Ordinary Time
Sext (Noonday) (p. 145)
Every Moment Holy
Midday (p. 7)