Useful Prayers
Many people find it helpful to use written prayers. Here are some which you may find of use:
- The Lord's Prayer
- A Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola
- A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
- A Prayer of St Francis
- A Prayer for Olympics
- A Prayer for Refugees
- A Prayer for Justice
- A Prayer for Mercy
- A Prayer for the Leaders of the Nations
- A Prayer for Peace
- A Prayer for those Worried about Debt
- A Child's Prayer
- Verses from the Psalms
- A Medieval Prayer (from the Sarum Primer, 1538)
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
A Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wound,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will.
Amen.
A Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
Praise be to you, O Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the many blessings which you have won for me,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for me.
O, most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
A Prayer of St Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is discord, vision.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A Prayer for Olympics
Everlasting God, giver of joy and source of abundant life,
we pray for all who are involved in the Beijing Olympic Games,
and especially those who represent Great Britain
for their safe-keeping and well-being;
and as we celebrate the skill and resolve of those who compete
we pray that, throughout the Games, there would be
a striving for excellence,
a spirit of humility and fair play,
and a respect for others,
and that all who wait on you may find their strength renewed
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for Refugees
Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day
when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for Justice
Almighty God our heavenly Father,
guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth,
and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,
that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A Prayer for Mercy
Lord, remember Christ your son who is peace itself
and who has washed away our hatred with his blood.
Because you love all people,
look with mercy on us.
Banish the violence and evil within us,
and in answer to our prayers restore tranquility and peace.
Amen.
A Prayer for the Leaders of the Nations
O God our heavenly Father,
whose love sets no boundaries
and whose strength is in service;
grant to the leaders of the nations
wisdom, courage and insight at this time of darkness and fear.
Give to all who exercise authority
determination to defend the principles of freedom, love and tolerance,
strength to protect and safeguard the innocent
and clarity of vision to guide the world into the paths of justice and peace.
This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A Prayer for Peace
Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the king of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
A Prayer for those Worried about Debt
Father, we pray for the many who are trapped by growing burdens of debt,
who see no way out, and who despair for their future.
Give them courage to tackle the problems they face,
clarity in taking decisions which will turn their situation around,
and faith that, as they cry to you in their trouble,
you will deliver them from their distress,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Child's Prayer
Lord in heaven,
please listen to all those
who are praying to you now.
Those who are sad and crying,
those who have lost friends and family.
Those who are alone
and frightened.
Help them to remember,
that you are there
and you are listening.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
Verses from the Psalms
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and he shall comfort your heart;
Wait patiently for the Lord.
(Psalm 27.17)
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
(Psalm 46.1)
Be still, and know that I am God.
(Psalm 46.10)
A Medieval Prayer (from the Sarum Primer, 1538)
God be in my head, and in my understanding, God be in my eyes, and in my looking, God be on my lips, and in my speaking, God be in my heart, and in my thinking, God be at my end, and at my departing.