Wednesday prayers

Praying with Bible

During these strange times, we are encouraging everyone - wherever they are - to pause for a short time on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am and join in this short time of prayer. (Or to use it at another time of their choosing.) Even though we are far apart, we shall know that we are doing the same thing at the same time.

The order is as follows. You can also  download a copy to print off here, if you would prefer.

MORNING PRAYER

Gathering

O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory.

Prayer of the morning

Blessed are you, Lord, our God,
Giver of life,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
At the opening of this day
you call us out of darkness
into your marvellous light.
Blessed are you for ever and ever. 

Amen. 

Silence.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.

Amen.

The Word of God

We read words from the Bible to inspire, challenge and guide us. Sometimes, we read the we read a psalm, a lesson from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Most importantly, we always read something from the gospels. We usually read the texts set for the following Sunday. 

You can access the daily and weekly readings from the 'Lectionary' (the readings set by the Church for each day of the year here.

Prayers for the world

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10) 

This is an opportunity to pray in silence or out loud for yourself, and for the world. You may wish to thank God for what God has done, as well as offering up concerns and needs. Take as much time as you need.

When we are ready, we bring our prayers together:

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen.

We conclude with the Lord’s Prayer in whichever form or language you are most familiar:

Our Father …

Conclusion
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me 
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.

Lord our God,
as with all creation
we offer you the life of this new day,
give us grace to love and serve you 
in the praise of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.


Material comes from: The Methodist Worship Book, Peterborough: Methodist Publishing House, 1999; Common Worship: Daily Prayer, © The Archbishops' Council 2005, Church House Publishing; and Celtic Daily Prayer © 2000 The Northumbria Community Trust Ltd. CCL: 195806